What's New in the Shop?
First cast:
On January 31, 2024, a federal district court in the Southern District of California issued an order in Rhode, et al. v. Bonta that enjoined the enforcement or implementation of ammo background checks. Until we hear otherwise, you can walk in, purchase your ammo, and walk out. No eligibility checks and paperwork are required, per DOJ.
Second cast:
Struggling to choose the right gear for striper trolling?
You're not alone. We've been there, spending countless hours on the water and sifting through mountains of equipment. We talked to our fishing guide friends, tested countless setups, and even endured Alex's "weekly obsession" trips (don't worry, he's a good sport) to finally crack the code.
But here's the good news: you don't have to go through the same hassle. Introducing Catch Happy Fishing Kits, your shortcut to battle-tested, purpose-built setups that save you time, money, and frustration.
Our first kit? The Striper Trolling Kit. We've packed it with everything you need to land trophy-sized stripers, from premium rods and reels to line, lures, and terminal tackle. Each component is meticulously chosen for optimal performance and compatibility, ensuring a seamless fishing experience.
Here's why Catch Happy Fishing Kits are your secret weapon:
Save time and money: Skip the endless research and gear comparisons. Our kits are ready-to-go and priced to fit your budget.
Confidence on the water: Fish with the certainty that your setup is proven and optimized for striper trolling success.
Quality you can trust: We only use top-notch brands and equipment, ensuring durability and performance.
Effortless setup: No more mixing and matching components. Just grab your kit and hit the water.
Ready to ditch the gear confusion and start reeling in stripers? Check out the Striper Trolling Kit today online or in the shop.
P.S. Keep an eye out for more purpose-built kits coming soon, targeting different fish and fishing styles!
Third cast:
Sturgeon are here! Details in the Napa River fishing report are below.
Fourth cast:
We were able to bring some WRF 22 ammo in. Those of you who need it, know how rare it is. Swing by the shop and grab some before it's gone.
What's on sale?
CHRISTENSEN ARMS SALE
The following models are still available
Mesa TI 6.5 CM 22” $1485.00
Ridgeline .308 WIN 24” Black $1655.99
Mesa .308 WIN Burnt Bronze 22” $1071.00
Mesa TI .308 WIN 22” GRY $1485.00
Mesa Long Range .308 WIN 24” $1319.00
Traverse BA 28 Nosler 26” $2126.99
FISHING ROD SALE
Dobyns Champion XP 7’3” Med $200.00
St Croix Mojobass 7’1” MH $99.99
Penn Battle III Combo $99.99
Shimano Scimitar 60 ML 2pc Spinning $39.99
G. Loomis IMX Pro 852S JWR $199.99
Phenix Black Diamond PSW 7’ H Casting $220.00
Phenix PSW-C 700M 7’ MED $220.00
Phenix AHD-897-ORG Casting $220.00
FLY ROD SALE
Orvis Clearwater 908-4 Outfit 9’ 8wt $299.99
Orvis Recon 10’ 3wt 4pc $399.99
FLY REEL SALE
Hatch Outdoors Iconic 5 Plus Clear/ Blue $449.99
Hatch Outdoors Iconic 7 Plus Black $549.99
10% OFF WATERFOWL SALE
Jackets, calls, motorized decoys, and more.
Live Bait Update
Grass Shrimp
Bullheads/Mudsuckers
Large Minnows
Fishing Reports
Napa River
Striper
Our customer Frank Grant hasn't fished for stripers in years. Frank spent some time watching Catch Happy Striper videos on Youtube and decided to give it a try on Napa River this week. He trolled for a couple of hours and landed this healthy 22-inch striper.
Congrats Frank! Welcome to the striper club, sir.
The fish aren't as widespread as they were in October/November. However, if you find them, multiple hookups aren't unheard of. There are larger schools of them out there. Keep looking until you find them and then run through the school a few times using different colored Wild Things and Rattle Traps until you find what they like.
Bank fishermen are doing well with live grass shrimp, pile worms, and frozen anchovies. Use the Magic Thread to keep your bait on the hook.
Click here for the detailed video on Napa River Striper lures, bait, and tactics.
Sturgeon
Jeffrey and Austin struck gold! They saw sturgeon rolling all over the Napa River sloughs and boated 3 fish (all released). The guys fished with live grass shrimp and salmon roe.
It's bait fishing time!
Check our detailed sturgeon fishing instructional video and blog here.
Use live Grass or Ghost Shrimp, Pile Worms, Salmon roe, or Eel threaded onto a barbless hook, wrapped with magic thread (twine), and terminated with a bait button.
It's important to keep your bait on the bottom with a 4-8 ounce pyramid sinker and, ideally, a weighted leader. We now make Custom Sturgeon Leaders here at the shop. Come and check them out. $5.99 apiece.
Lake Berryessa
Check out this Crappie Tournament
Bass:
The weather is now getting really cold with plenty of storm systems filtering in and out. Expect the majority of fish to head for the depths where you can catch them on smaller swimbaits or even an a-rig, spoons, worms, and jigs. Targeting that 20-40 foot depth range is where most of them should be. Low and slow is the name of the game at this time
Action: The bass bite has slowed down compared to the fall, but it's still decent with the right approach.
Target: Focus on deeper areas, particularly rocky points and submerged structures, between 20-40 feet deep.
Lures: Finesse tactics like drop-shotting with plastics or wacky-rigged worms on heavy weights are working well. Cranking deeper crankbaits can also be productive.
Trout:
Action: Trout trolling remains strong, especially for those targeting shad schools with spoons or Rapalas.
Target: Look for baitfish concentrations near the dam or deeper coves. Early mornings and evenings offer the best chance for success.
Lures: Shad-patterned spoons, Speedy Shiners, and Rapalas in various sizes are the go-to lures.
Catfish: Catfishing can be good year-round at Berryessa. Try fishing deeper areas with cut bait, liver, or nightcrawlers for whiskered friends. Try free spooling your bait. Drop it without any weight and let it drift and sink slowly. Got big cats using this technique
If you'd like to read our deep dive fishing report on Lake Berryessa winter fishing, click here.
As always,
We truly appreciate every time you walk through our doors. Thank you for choosing to spend your hard-earned dollars with us. It's a privilege to be of service.
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