Hello friends,
In this edition, we'll be covering:
Gunshop Closed Nov 28th - December 1st
Holiday Gift Guide for a Fisherman in Your Life
What's New in the Shop
Putah Creek & Trinity River Fly Fishing Report
Gun Shop will be Closed November 28th - December 1st
We’re thrilled to share some exciting news! High Velocity Gunworks will officially complete its purchase of Sweeney’s Gunshop on December 1st. This transition marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with incredible opportunities for us to better serve our community and customers.
To facilitate the changeover, Sweeney’s Gunshop will be closed from Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 28) through Sunday, December 1. We will reopen with regular hours on Monday, December 2.
Important Information for In-Process Purchases:
Rest assured, all in-process purchases will remain unaffected by this transition. However, please note that firearms cannot be picked up during our closure on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.
We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding during this time and look forward to welcoming you back soon with renewed energy and exciting opportunities!
Thank you for your continued support.
The Angler’s Wishlist: Holiday Gift Guide for Fishermen
At Sweeney's Sports, our mission is to help anglers have the best experiences outdoors. While catching fish is often the goal, the joy of fishing goes far beyond just reeling in a big one. For those of us who take fishing seriously, the real satisfaction comes from the entire experience: spending time outdoors, bonding with friends, experimenting with new techniques, and preparing for the next adventure.
These days, anglers face an overwhelming array of fishing gear and tackle to choose from. However, it’s all too easy to accumulate items that don’t fit our fishing style or simply don’t work. Many of us fall into the trap of spending thousands of dollars each year on gear we hardly use. On top of that, friends and family—bless their hearts—often give us gifts that are total hits or misses.
The 20% Gear Club
Enter the tried-and-true 80/20 rule, which applies perfectly to fishing gear. Only about 20% of our gear gets used regularly and actually catches fish. The other 80%? It often sits around, unused, as we hope it might come in handy someday.
That’s where we come in. With our Angler’s Gift Guide, we’ll help you hit the mark this holiday season. The goal? To get your gift into that coveted 20% gear club—gear that will actually be used, catch fish, and bring years of joy to the angler in your life.
Start With One Simple Question
Ask the angler in your life: “What’s your favorite type of fishing?” Once you know their fishing style, you can use our guide to find the perfect holiday gift. This week, we’re focusing on one of the most popular styles: bank fishing with bait.
Bank Fishing with Bait: Gift Ideas
Targeting Striped Bass (Striper), Catfish, or Carp.
Bank fishing is one of the most accessible and enjoyable ways to fish. It’s all about finding the perfect spot, baiting the hook, casting, and waiting for the fish to come to you. This style of fishing is a mix of relaxation and high adrenaline—especially when you land a big one!
Here’s a curated gift set for the bank angler in your life, perfect for targeting species like Striper, Catfish, and Carp.
Rod Recommendations
Under $80
Ugly Stik Bigwater Conventional Rod
An affordable and versatile rod from a trusted company with over a century of expertise. The Ugly Stik Bigwater rod is a solid choice for any bank angler.
Shop the Ugly Stik Bigwater Rod here: https://www.shopsweeneys.com/product/ugly-stik-bigwater-conventional-rod/152947
Under $200
Phenix Abyss 806
A dream rod for any bank fisherman. This rod excels in all categories and comes with a lifetime warranty—a big plus for serious anglers.
Shop the Phenix Abyss Rod here: https://www.shopsweeneys.com/product/phenix-abyss-conventional-rods/127171
Reel Recommendations
Under $100
Okuma Ceymar 5000 HD Spinning Reel
Lightweight, packed with features, and offering 20 lbs of drag power, this reel pairs perfectly with the rods above. It’s designed to handle trophy fish with ease.
Shop the Okuma Ceymar Reel here: https://www.shopsweeneys.com/product/okuma-ceymar-hd-spinning-reel/149785
Under $200
Shimano Baitrunner 6000 D Spinning Reel
The Shimano Baitrunner’s innovative technology lets fish take the bait and run freely without feeling resistance. Hear the clicker, grab the rod, and set the hook—pure joy for any angler.
Shop the Shimano Baitrunner Reel here: https://www.shopsweeneys.com/product/shimano-baitrunner-d-spinning-reels/124760
Rod/Reel Combo
Under $80
Penn Wrath II Combo
If you’re shopping on a budget but still want to bring a big smile to your bank-fishing friend, this combo is a fantastic option. The PENN® Wrath® II is engineered to be versatile and durable, handling everything from inshore waters to surf fishing.
Shop the Penn Wrath II Combo here: https://www.shopsweeneys.com/www/site/web/product/penn-wrath-ii-combo/154054
With these thoughtfully selected gift options, you’ll make the angler in your life feel seen, valued, and ready for their next fishing adventure. Stay tuned for more weekly installments of our Angler’s Wishlist gift guide, where we’ll cover a variety of fishing styles and gear recommendations.
Happy holidays and tight lines!
—The Sweeney’s Sports Team
What's new in the shop?
Wingsetter Game Calls
This unique call is designed and produced by famed caller Mickey Saso. The unique 8-in-1 combination includes calls for pintail, teal, widgeon, wood duck, mountain quail, bobwhite quail, gamble quail and valley quail. The 8-in-1 call features an easily adjustable slide to allow for quick tuning adjustments. Easy adjusting makes for always having the perfect pitch. Our best selling call that has proven itself year after year and has become the standard on the market for duck whistles.
Muck Socks
Stay warm this winter with a pair of Muck socks! These merino wool socks feature moisture wicking material, padded arch support, reinforced heels and a seamless design. Available in full, mid length and ankle height. Come on down and check them out!
Knife of the Week - Benchmade Mini Osborne
The 945BK-03 Mini Osborne is a nod to the rugged folks who enjoy dusty, gritty, challenging treks across natural terrain. The new compact Mini Osborne variant features a wear-and corrosion-resistant CPM-MagnaCut reverse tanto blade with a DLC Battlewash finish and Burnt Copper Anodized 6061-T6 aluminum handle scales dotted with mean black oxide hardware. Lightweight, versatile, and timeless, the 945BK-03 Mini Osborne is easily pocketable and an effective backup for the truck, the camper, and your day pack.
Fly Fishing Report
By Pete Rodrigues
Putah Creek Fishing Report 11-21-24
Flow 61 cfs today Good**
Catch Happy Guide partner Robbie George reports.
Putah is fishing good. The flows are still super low. Finding the deeper run and tail outs are key to finding good fish. Because the flows are low still, small buggy patterns are working best.
BWO #20 ang Midge patterns #22 are recommended. Trout season on Putah ends soon(April - November). Putah Creek is an amazing resource. Please respect and protect spawning fish, redds, and gravel beds.
Recommend flies:
Recommend flies:
(Nymphs)
Barr Emerger
WD-40
WD-50
Quasimodo Pheasant Tail
Zebra Midge
San Juan Worm
S&M Nymph
P.S. We’re excited to announce the launch of ShopSweeneys.com! Now you can explore our top gear, tackle, and more—handpicked for your next fishing adventure—all online. Whether you’re gearing up for the Napa River or beyond, we’ve got everything you need to make each trip a success. Check it out!
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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