Napa River Fishing Report: Prime Conditions for Striped Bass & Sturgeon

Water Conditions Water temperatures are hovering between 60–62°F, creating optimal conditions for both Striped Bass and Sturgeon. Warmer water has these species on the move and actively feeding.

Storm Debris Warning Recent storms have pushed debris into the river, making bottom trolling a challenge. Anglers are reporting lost lures, so take extra care when fishing deep or near the riverbed.

Watch full video here.

Striped Bass Action

From the Shore: Shore anglers are enjoying a strong bite right now. The top-producing baits include anchovies, pile worms, blood worms, ghost shrimp (both live and cured), and live grass shrimp.

Some anglers are also finding success with live bait like split tails and bullheads—but keep in mind, you'll need to catch your own.

Large live minnows are also proving effective for enticing strikes from larger stripers.

➡️ Need help choosing a shoreline fishing spot? Check out our top bank fishing tips.

➡️ Want to improve your Striped Bass technique from shore? Read our bank fishing guide.

From the Boat: Trolling continues to produce solid results. Deep-diving lures are the go-to, especially when fished 100–140 feet behind the boat. Which is the backset we recommend.

Trolling Speed Tips:

• Aim for a base speed of 3.5–4.5 MPH.

• If you’re trolling with the tide, add about 1.5 MPH.

• If moving against the tide, subtract 1.5 MPH to stay in the strike zone.

Recommended lures include the Wild Thing deep divers and the Spro “Golden Boy” or similar models. These mimic fleeing baitfish and create vibrations that trigger reaction bites.

Stripers are often staging near shoreline structure and submerged brush, using it to ambush prey—exactly where your deep divers should be running.

➡️ Learn how to troll effectively for Stripers here.

Sturgeon Report

Bite Status: Active Sturgeon are being caught in good numbers right now.

Best Baits: Cured roe, pile worms, blood worms, and ghost shrimp continue to be the top choices.

Remember, the Napa River and the whole California, in fact, is a catch-and-release zone for Sturgeon—but the battle alone makes it well worth the effort. These prehistoric giants offer one of the most thrilling fights around.

Outlook

As the water continues to warm, fishing is only getting better. Striped Bass are feeding aggressively, and Sturgeon activity is high. While debris remains a factor for lure anglers, both bank and boat fishing are producing quality catches. We expect these conditions to continue through the end of April.

Don’t wait—now is an excellent time to hit the river.

Get Geared Up at Sweeney’s Sports

Everything mentioned here—rods, reels, lures, and line—is available at Sweeney’s Sports in Napa, CA or Online. Whether you’re just getting started or refining your trolling game, stop by and we’ll get you set up for success.

Got questions? Come in and chat with our team, attend one of our seminars, or better yet—get out on the water and put these techniques to the test

Catch Happy.