A Winter Shop Talk Fishing Report on Stripers and Largemouth Bass

alexosen
32 minutes ago
3 min read

By Catch Happy

Napa River Stripers & Lake Hennessey Bass - Asked and Answered at the Counter

Every week, someone walks into the shop with the same question dressed a little differently:

“What actually works right now?”

This week, that someone was Dennis.

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,” and walked out with a clear game plan for winter stripers - plus some hard truths about Lake Hennessey largemouth.

This is that conversation, cleaned up and organized, but still straight from the shop counter.

Q: Does the Napa River fish in the winter, or is it basically dead right now?

A: The Napa River fishes year-round, but winter is all about timing, not spots.

Stripers don’t live in “secret holes.” They move through the system, and if you hit the right window, they’ll come to you.

The key moments:

1 hour before slack tide
1 hour after slack tide

Slack itself (when the water stops moving) is usually dead water. You want moving current, either pushing in or pulling out.

If high tide is at 10:00 AM:

Start fishing around 8:30
Expect a lull
Then another good window when the water starts flowing out

Tides are predictable. Just use your phone and search Napa River tides.

Q: Does location really matter, or is everyone just guessing?

A: Location matters less than presentation and timing.

River bends like OxBow are popular because they give you multiple casting angles, not because they’re magic.

If the tide is right, stripers will move through:

Deep water
Shallow water
Even 2–3 feet of water

Don’t be afraid to cast shallow. Big fish feed shallow more often than people think.

Q: With muddy winter water, should I even bother throwing lures?

A: You can throw lures - but bait fishing dominates in winter.

Rain blows the river out, stains the water, and kills visibility. That’s when fish rely on smell and vibration, not sight.

Best winter approaches:

Bait fishing (anchovies, live bait, etc.)
If throwing lures:
- Loud
- Flashy
- White or bright colors
- Rattles

If the water’s chocolate milk and you’re throwing silent finesse lures all day, you’re fishing on hard mode.

Q: Mono or braid for Napa River stripers?

A: For this style of fishing — braid wins.

Why braid works better:

No stretch = better hook sets
Immediate connection to the fish
Easier rigging
No fancy knots needed
Stripers aren’t line-shy

Mono has advantages, but for winter river fishing with bait or reaction lures, braid makes life easier.

Typical setup:

40–50 lb braid
Sliding sinker rig
Swivel
Leader
Done

Simple, effective, repeatable.

Q: What lures actually work right now on the Napa River?

A: Two categories consistently produce:

1. Swimbaits

Paddle tails
Direct tie
Let them sink
Twitch, reel, twitch
Or let them “die” and come alive on the drop

Stripers often hit on the fall.

They’re aggressive fish. You don’t need leaders or finesse.

2. Rattle / Crank-Style Baits

Constant vibration
Direct retrieve
Vary speed
Let the lure do the work

If it’s wobbling and making noise, you’re in the game.

Q: Am I going to catch fish every time I go out there?

A: No.

Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying - including themselves.

Even on perfect tides, with perfect gear, from the bank:

Some days are money
Some days are quiet
That’s river fishing

What you can do is:

Stack the odds
Fish the best windows
Use the right tools
Keep showing up

That’s how fish happen.

Q: What about Lake Hennessey and winter largemouth bass?

A: Winter bass are there - they’re just buried in cover.

Right now, think:

Low or falling barometric pressure
Murky water
Cold conditions

That means:

Jigs
Texas rigs
Weedless setups
Browns, greens, natural colors

They’re holding tight:

In weeds
Near wood
Around structure

If you’re snagging constantly, you’re fishing the right water - just need a weedless presentation.

Q: Worms, crankbaits, or swimbaits at Hennessey?

A: All can work, but winter favors:

Jigs first
Wacky rigs second
Reaction baits when they’re active

If fish are there, they’ll eat a properly presented bait. If they’re not, no lure will save you.

Also worth saying:

You’ll always have better odds from a boat
Shore fishing is absolutely doable - just lower expectations and fish smart

Final Shop Truth

This wasn’t a “perfect plan” conversation.

It was a real conversation - about what works right now, in winter, with muddy water, cold hands, and realistic expectations.

That’s fishing.

And that’s what the counter is for.

We’ll do this every week - one real conversation at a time. 🎣

See you on the water. Catch Happy.

🎣 Got a question or photo of your best catch? Tag us @CatchHappy - we love seeing and sharing your success stories.