Bass Bite Report and Behind the Scenes of Our New Series

nancybalois1
Jul 24
4 min read

Hello friends,

In this edition, we'll be covering:

Bass Fishing Report
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Late July - Early August Bass Fishing Report

Lake Berryessa: Mid-day the bass are ranging from 15-25’ . Throw natural colored jigs and senkos deep near structure and off points. Top water bight has been great as well during morning and evening. Throw a spook, frog or plopper. A deep diving crank can produce some nice fish as well (15-20’). The water is slightly stained so throwing a larger profile chatterbait is bound to get bit.

Clear Lake: Look for bass on deep weed edges, especially in the early morning with frogs and walking baits. During the day, punching through matted grass with heavy jigs and Texas-rigged plastics can produce big bites.

With water temperatures at their highest, bass are in a predictable but often challenging pattern. The key to success is adapting to the heat by focusing on specific times of day and targeting deeper, more comfortable water.

General Conditions & Fish Behavior

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures to be in the 70s and 80s, which makes bass more active but also drives them to seek refuge from the sun.
Time of Day: The best bite will almost always be during the early morning and late evening. As the sun gets high, the fish will move to deeper water and become less active. Night fishing can also be a highly productive option.
Location: Bass will be keying in on various forms of deep-water structure and cover. Look for them on:
- Submerged points and humps
- Deep weed lines and grass beds
- Standing timber and sunken brush piles
- Rock piles and ledges
- Areas where a creek or river channel swings close to the shore

Recommended Baits and Techniques

The late summer bite requires a mix of power fishing to find active fish and finesse techniques for when they are more lethargic.

Early Morning & Late Evening (Topwater Bite)

Lures: This is the prime time for topwater action. Try walking baits (e.g., Whopper Plopper, Sexy Dawg), poppers, and hollow-bodied frogs.
Technique: Cast these lures around shallow cover, like docks, tules, and submerged grass. A frog is particularly effective when fished over thick weed mats. Have a follow-up bait, like a weightless Senko, ready for bass that miss the initial strike.

Mid-Day (Deeper Water)

Lures:
- Deep-Diving Crankbaits: A deep-diving crankbait is a great way to cover water and find fish on deep points and ledges. Crankbaits that run 15-20 feet deep are ideal.
- Jigs & Big Plastics: Football jigs and Carolina rigs with large plastic worms or creature baits are excellent for targeting bass that are stacked up on the bottom. Drag these baits slowly across rocky bottoms and other deep structure.
- Drop-Shot: The drop-shot rig with a finesse worm is a go-to for catching finicky, suspended bass in clear water. It allows you to keep your bait in the strike zone longer.
- Swimbaits: Soft swimbaits on a jig head can be very effective for targeting bass suspended in the water column or those chasing baitfish.

Want to Be Featured in our New Docuseries?

In 2024, Sweeney’s Sports faced a near-death experience. Our lease was financially unsustainable, and after failing to negotiate our way out, we had no choice but to move. It was exhausting, expensive, and felt like starting from zero. But through grit, community support, and a relentless belief in what we do, we’ve climbed back — and now, we’re just breaking even.

That may not sound glamorous, but in this retail climate, it's a major milestone. We’ve rebuilt from the ground up with purpose:

The right people, who genuinely care.
Strong systems and digital presence that bring modern efficiencies.
And most importantly, the same old-fashioned customer service Sweeney’s has been known for since 1970.

Now, we want to do more than just stay open. We want to build a real model for how small local business can thrive. Not just survive — thrive. We believe there's a path to making Main Street businesses sustainable, profitable, and even appealing to the next generation of entrepreneurs. But it takes transparency, creativity, and a willingness to try something new.

That’s where Mr. Sweeney’s Experience comes in.

This is our real-world docuseries that invites you behind the scenes of running a small-town business. It’s about the people, the process, the chaos, and the heart behind it all. We’re documenting our efforts in hopes that it inspires others — and maybe helps crack the code on what it takes to build a lasting, resilient business that still puts people first.

Want to be part of it?

This Saturday, we’re filming new episodes and inviting four customers to participate. Come shop with Alex (yes, on camera), share your story, and help us tell ours. It’s casual, it’s fun, and as a thank-you, we’ll give you a $50 gift card upon successful completion of your filming appointment.

Available times:🕐 1:00 PM🕑 2:00 PM🕒 3:00 PM🕓 4:00 PM

To reserve your spot, just reply to this post or email us with your name and preferred time.

Let’s show the world what a strong, resilient, community-powered business really looks like. 💪

Alex Osenenko, Owner, Sweeney’s Sports