He came in after watching a YouTube video on striper fishing the Napa River, carrying what he lovingly described as a “pretty old POS rod,”

So today, Axel Tackle and I decided to test how much weight Mr. Sweeney’s Leader could actually withstand in a controlled (but pretty wild) setup.

This morning, we launched with a simple goal: Test the three most effective striper techniques - trolling, casting, and live bait - and see which one produces the best fish.

I start with scaling the fish. The skin is perfectly edible, delicious, and full of nutrients. I don't want to waste it.

The combination of the skirt, the split-tail trailer, the color contrast, the deep rattle, and that bill-driven dive gives stripers exactly what they’re looking for.

“In low-light conditions, darker flies with a bigger silhouette stand out best. Once the sun’s up, lighter colors like white over chartreuse produce more bites. If it doesn’t have chartreuse, it’s of no use.”

Fishing from the bank can be both a relaxing and rewarding experience, especially when targeting striped bass.

When you’re fishing from the bank, distance matters.You’re not dropping your bait right off the boat — you’re launching it toward mid-channel.That’s why an 8 to 9-foot rod is the sweet spot.

We’ve all been there — your favorite rod loses a guide insert, and suddenly your line frays every time you cast. Usually, that means retiring the rod altogether.

Striper season is here, and it’s time to hit the bank! Whether you’re fishing the Napa River or your favorite local spot, this is the perfect time to gear up, hang out, and hook into some hard-fighting stripers.

There’s something satisfying about improving your fishing setup — especially when the result makes life on the water that much smoother.