By BassFan Staff
Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Shaw Grigsby has announced he will retire from professional bass fishing at the conclusion of the St. Lawrence River Tackle Warehouse Invitational, which takes place this week in Massena, N.Y. The announcement was made via press release.
Grigsby, who lives in Gainesville, Fla., has been a fixture in the sport for more than 40 years as a competitor, ambassador and relatable personality. His infectious laugh and signature mustache endeared him to fishing fans everywhere. He began fishing full time in 1984 on the Bassmaster Tour and has competed in more than 420 pro events across the Bassmaster, FLW and Major League Fishing trails. He racked up nine wins, 64 top-10 finishes and qualified for 16 Bassmaster Classics along with two Forrest Wood Cups. He collected nearly $2.4 million in tournament winnings.
“I have been so blessed to be able to make professional fishing my career for more than 40 years,” Grigsby said in the release. “I have worked with so many people and companies that I am proud to have represented.”
He also said that he is looking forward to experiencing what is ahead. He will continue to work with wildlife officials in Florida on capturing and rehoming nuisance alligators as well as spending more time with his wife, Polly, and children Amy and Shaw, along with his grandchildren.
“This has been an amazing ride, and I have been supported by a family who loves me and has been in my corner the whole way,” he added. “I’m looking forward to having the time to do whatever we wish with Polly, Amy, Shaw and my grandkids more than ever.
“I have been in this career for so long and to have been a part of the greatest industry has been a true joy. I am proud to have been able to do it for so long – thank you to all of you who made it possible.”
Grigsby has not ruled out competing in one-off professional events near home.
In addition to his tournament resume, Grigsby hosted the popular “One More Cast with Shaw Grigsby” television show for 20 years and co-authored the book “Bass Master Shaw Grigsby – Notes on Fishing and Life,” a biography and fishing manual published in 1998.
In 2017, his career accomplishments earned him induction into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mo., as well as the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. He was previously inducted into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame in 2004.
Grigsby will be remembered as the best sight fisherman on the professional tours, a skill he learned fishing the shallow clear water lakes around Florida. He was a longtime fixture on the pro staff for Quantum and Strike King, alongside a roster of other legendary pros. He was also instrumental in the introduction of many products to the fishing industry that helped his sponsors, including the Eagle Claw HP Hook, which incorporated a clip designed to securely hold a tube lure on the hook that enabled anglers to make repeated presentations to fish without fear of slipping and blocking the hookset.
