Striper Fishing Season is Here
- alexosen
- 42 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Hello friends,
In this edition, we'll be covering:
Fishing for Stripers from the Bank
Introducing Death Grip Leaders
New Wild Thing Lure Colors
A Battery Powered Deckhand for your Boat
How to Fish for Stripers From the Bank
Striper season is here, and it’s time to hit the bank! Whether you’re fishing the Napa River or your favorite local spot, this is the perfect time to gear up, hang out, and hook into some hard-fighting stripers. Here’s everything you need to know to get your setup dialed in and start catching.
Gear up right: Bring bait (anchovies, pile worms, or grass shrimp), a bait knife, gloves, and a sturdy tackle box.
Weights matter: Use 3–5 oz sinkers to hold bottom in the Napa River’s tidal current.
Leaders: 18 inch with quality hook, 5/0 Octopus style is ideal (anchovy + worm/shrimp).
Rods: Medium-heavy or heavy action, at least 7.5 ft long, rated 1–4 oz. Budget options like Ugly Stik start around $40; high-end Phenix rods run ~$200 with lifetime warranty.
Reels: Size 5000–8000 spinning reel or equivalent casting setup. Braid line (40 lb) is best for strength and casting distance.
Don’t forget: A rod holder, scale, and tape measure (keepers must be 18" or longer).
Pro tip: Always protect your rods with socks — they’re cheap insurance against cracks.
At the bank: Use a swivel + bead + sliding sinker setup, and bait with both anchovy and worm to see what the stripers prefer.
Introducing Death Grip Leaders by Mr. Sweeney's
We were tired of rusted hooks and cheap, unreliable leaders that fail when it matters most. So, after years of tying our own, testing every combination, and selling thousands of leaders, we decided to build something better.
Death Grip Leaders are the result of years on the water and countless refinements. Each one features a 5/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hook, 25 lb Ande mono line, a snell knot at the hook, and improved clinch knot at the swivel. Every leader is hand-tied professionally, right here in Napa, California, USA.
Built to last and priced at just $2.99, these leaders are made to give you confidence with every cast and every bite.
Coming soon to Sweeney’s Sports and CatchHappy.co the last leader you’ll ever need.
New Colors for World Famous Wild Thing Lures
Just in time for the fall striper run, our most popular Wild Thing Lures are back in stock and ready to ship at CatchHappy.co.
We just rolled out 3 new colors:
These proven fish-catchers are a must-have when the bite turns on — don’t wait, they sell out fast every season.
If you own or are looking to own an aluminum North River–style boat, this one’s for you. In our latest Catch Happy episode, Alex walks through how to install a Minn Kota Ulterra trolling motor while keeping a functional anchor setup—a combo most installs overlook. From drilling and mounting to on-the-water testing, you’ll see exactly how to rig your boat for both convenience and safety. Watch the full video and get ready to take your setup to the next level.
🎣 Got a question or photo of your best catch? Tag us @Sweeneys_Sports - we love sharing local success stories.
Catch Happy!
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