Ready to Catch a Sturgeon? The Season Heats Up This April
- nancybalois1
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
By Alex, “Mr. Sweeney’s”
Spring is shaping up to be a solid time to target sturgeon, with mid-April through May typically offering some of the best opportunities of the year. As water movement increases and temperatures shift, anglers fishing tidal rivers and bays often see steady action during this window.
If you're planning to get out on the water, dialing in your setup can make a major difference.
Start with the Right Bait
Sturgeon feed along the bottom, using scent to locate food. That means bait selection is one of the most important factors in your success.
Popular bait options include:
Salmon roe
Ghost shrimp
Grass shrimp
Pile worms
Some anglers combine multiple baits to increase scent and attraction in the water.
Keep Your Bait on the Bottom
Heavy weights are commonly used in sturgeon fishing to hold bait in place, especially in moving water.
Typical setups include:
8–14 oz sinkers
Strong leaders with barbless hooks
High-visibility main line for detecting subtle bites
Keeping your bait pinned to the bottom helps ensure passing fish can locate it.
Watch for Subtle Bites
Sturgeon bites can be extremely light. Instead of waiting for dramatic rod movement, experienced anglers watch closely for small line shifts or rod dips.
Quick reaction time can significantly improve hook-up success.
Fish Moving Water for Best Results
Moving tides often create the most consistent opportunities. Early mornings, evenings, and tide changes are commonly productive periods.
Spring conditions typically support steady fishing activity, especially through late April and into May.
Quick Takeaway
If you're heading out this spring, focus on the fundamentals:
Use fresh, scent-rich bait
Keep bait secured to the bottom
Watch closely for subtle bites
Plan trips around moving tides
With the right setup and timing, spring sturgeon season can offer exciting opportunities for anglers of all experience levels.
Napa Fishing Club Kickoff Meeting — April 17
Hey friends, Mr. Sweeney here.
I want to personally invite you to something special—our very first Napa Fishing Club
meeting, the kickoff, the inaugural event. And let me tell you… this first meeting only happens once.
📅 Date: Friday, April 17
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Location: Right here at Sweeney Sports
We’re keeping it simple and fun.
We’ll fire up the grill, cook burgers with all the fixings, have drinks ready, and just enjoy some time together talking fishing and getting to know each other.
Here’s what we’ll be covering that night:
Review the Napa Fishing Club schedule
Meet the club advisory board
Talk about exclusive trips just for club members
Share updates on Lake Berryessa and Napa River fishing
Swap stories, tips, and make some new fishing friends
This club is all about community—good fishing, good people, and good times on the water.
If you'd like to attend, head over to:
Looking forward to seeing you there.
— Mr. Sweeney 🎣
Catch Of The Month Contest - Win a $30 gift card!
Show us your most impressive fishing moment by tagging @sweeneys_sports in your Instagram post or story. The grand prize? A $30 gift card and a feature on our social networks! 🏅.
If you’d like to participate, it’s simple:
Share a photo of your catch to your Instagram stories
Tag @sweeneys_sports
Each entry gives you a chance to be featured and win a $30 gift card.
A big thank you to everyone who submitted this month - we truly appreciate your participation and can’t wait to see what you reel in next. Keep the photos coming! 🎣
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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