Napa River Winter Striper & Sturgeon Fishing Report

We’re in one of those classic winter windows on the Napa River - clear weather, cleaner water, and active fish for anglers willing to slow down and fish methodically.

Reports from up and down the river have been encouraging, with stripers consistently showing and sturgeon anglers seeing steady activity. Here’s what’s working right now.

Best Bait to Use for Stripers in Winter

With the river running fairly clean and not heavily stained, natural baits with strong scent are producing best. Anglers are doing well with cured ghost shrimp, anchovies, pile worms, and live minnows. If you can get your hands on live ghost or grass shrimp, those work extremely well too.

When it comes to anchovies, tray packs continue to outperform bagged versions. The tray anchovies are flash frozen and retain their natural juices - when you cut into one, you’ll see bright red blood and oils releasing properly into the water. Bag anchovies will still catch fish, but they do not distribute scent quite as effectively.

If you are fishing live minnows, go with XL size right now. Run them on a standard bottom rig with a 3–5 oz weight depending on current. If a striper is anywhere near it, it is likely to eat. You can hook the minnow through the lips or lightly through the spine - both methods work.

For hooks, we recommend 5/0 or 6/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hooks. Some anglers use circle hooks, but over the years on this river we feel the octopus style offers a slightly better hookup ratio for stripers.

Our in-house Mr. Sweeney’s leaders are a perfect match for these setups.

Here is the video with a step by step guide on how to fish for striper from the bank.

Sturgeon Report and Roe Preparation Tips

A good number of sturgeon are being caught in the river right now, which is an encouraging start to our sturgeon season that typically runs January through March.

The most consistent bait has been salmon roe, gently cured with salt and sugar. Avid sturgeon anglers will have their own secret recipes, but here is a simple version that will absolutely get you on fish.

Start with an uncured tray of salmon roe (Can be purchased at Sweeney's Sports) and thaw it slowly in the refrigerator for about 24 hours. Add one teaspoon of sugar and one teaspoon of salt, then mix gently so you do not crush the eggs. I also like adding one teaspoon of freshly ground garlic.

Place the mixture into a sealed container and keep it in a cooler with a few ice packs for 24–48 hours. It needs to cure in a dark, cool place - preferably not in the refrigerator.

When you are ready to fish, load the roe into small mesh spawn netting squares, tie them off tightly with Magic Thread, and thread them onto your hook. Cast them out using 6–10 oz weights. You want that bait pinned to the bottom and not drifting with the tide.

Plan on changing your bait every 45 minutes.

One tip is to prepare several roe bags before your trip so you can swap them quickly when it is time for a refresh. Sturgeon bites are often very subtle, so pay close attention to your rod tip. When you start seeing a couple of gentle pumps, set the hook and get ready for the fight of your life.

Remember that sturgeon are strictly catch and release right now, and you must possess and use a sturgeon report card to log your catches. The report card is free and can be obtained at the shop. Check CA Fish and Wildlife regulations before you go.

Last year we've recorded an instructional video on sturgeon fishing. Get a refresh before your next trip:

When to Fish

Winter success on the Napa River revolves around tide movement. The most consistent bite window is roughly one hour before a tide change and one hour after. Fish can still be caught while the water is flowing - both incoming and outgoing - but slack tide is typically the slowest period.

If you are on the water during that prime window, refresh your bait frequently so you can take full advantage of the hour before and hour after the tide change.

Fishing with Lures

Cold water means slower fish, and that should guide your approach. The biggest adjustment right now is slowing down your retrieve. Swimbaits, SPRO Aruku Shad Golden Boys, Wild Things, and jerkbaits remain your lures of choice. Work them deliberately and keep them in the strike zone longer than you normally would during warmer months.

Trolling

Trolling continues to be an effective way to locate fish when they are spread out through the system. You may need to cover water to find them, but once you do, it can turn into a multi-fish day quickly.

Many of our customers are reporting strong success trolling Wild Things, Yo-Zuri shallow divers, and Golden Boy SPROs. There are plenty of stripers in the system right now, so take your time, stay patient, and keep covering water until you connect.

Where to Fish for Bank Fishermen

Fishing from shore remains productive on the Napa River. A few months back, I profiled five prime bank-fishing locations - plus one bonus spot - complete with directions and tips for each area.

Here is the article with full details and access points.

Good luck out there, and don’t forget to tag @sweeneyssports when you post your catch on Instagram. Our Catch of the Month winner receives a $30 gift card.

Tight lines,

Mr. Sweeney

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Catching Striped Bass with Largemouth Bass Gear

Striped bass and largemouth bass share many of the same feeding instincts, which means much of the tackle designed for bass can be just as effective for stripers. For anglers who don’t have specialized striper gear - or who simply want to make the most of what’s already in their tackle box - there are several proven bass lures and techniques that translate perfectly to river and bay striper fishing.

1. Paddle-Tail Soft Plastics

Swimbaits with a paddle tail are one of the most versatile options. Sizes around 4.5 to 5 inches are ideal for everyday fishing, while larger profiles can be used when targeting bigger fish. Light-colored patterns work well in clear or brighter conditions, while darker tones often shine when the water is stained or low light reduces visibility.

Rigged on jig heads ranging from about ½ to ¾ ounce, these plastics can be fished close to the bottom where stripers often feed. Effective retrieves include:

• Bottom-walking: Let the lure sink, then reel up, allow it to fall again, and repeat.

• Hop-and-pause: Cast, give a sharp pull, pause for a few seconds, then pull again.

In colder water, slowing everything down and extending the pauses can make a big difference.

2. Lipless Crankbaits

Rattling, vibrating crankbaits are staples in many bass boxes and are just as deadly for stripers. Their sound and vibration draw aggressive reaction strikes, especially when fish are actively hunting. These can be worked with the same lift-and-fall or steady retrieve, adjusting speed based on water temperature - slower in cold conditions, faster when fish are more active.

3. Jerkbaits

Suspending jerkbaits are excellent for rivers and bays alike. They can be cast and worked with sharp twitches followed by pauses, allowing the lure to hang in the strike zone. In colder water, longer pauses and subtle movements often trigger bites from fish that are unwilling to chase.

Bonus: Topwater Plugs

Most bass anglers carry at least one topwater option, and these can produce explosive strikes from stripers when fish are feeding near the surface. Walking-style baits or plugs with feathered tails create noise and surface commotion that stripers can spot easily from below. A steady retrieve with side-to-side action can draw strikes from fish cruising the upper few feet of the water column.

Putting It All Together

With soft plastics, rattling crankbaits, jerkbaits, and topwater plugs, an angler can confidently target striped bass using gear already intended for largemouth bass. By adjusting lure size, color, and retrieve speed - especially in colder water - these familiar tools can be just as effective for stripers as they are for bass, proving that versatility in the tackle box often leads to more opportunities on the water.

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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.

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