Ugly Stiks And Fantasy Picks: Hulk Hogan’s Fishing Legacy (Issue 335)

Issue #335- July, 30 2025

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BOT Trivia: At which fishery did Jason Christie win the 2022 Bassmaster Classic with a three-day total of 54 pounds?
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PRESENTED BY: Sunline

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Carson-Newman Captures Toyota Bonus Bucks at College National Championship
Carson-Newman University anglers James Sumrell and Andrew Turner were one half of the history-making conclusion that resulted in an overtime fish-off to decide the 2025 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops on Cherokee Lake. Eventual champions Andrew Blanton and Garrett Smith (of Lander University) caught a legal keeper within the first five minutes of overtime. Locking up back-to-back National Championship titles and leaving Sumrell and Turner on the outside looking in. For their efforts Sumrell and Turner also took home the top spot for Toyota Bonus Bucks, for being the highest finishing team towing their boat with a Toyota tow vehicle. They won an additional $3,500 payout from the College Series of Toyota’s popular Bonus Bucks contingency program which rewards collegiate anglers who drive any year Toyota tow vehicle.

Check out the full story here.

Grigsby Announces Retirement From Professional Fishing

Photo Courtesy Major League Fishing

Shaw Grigsby, a member of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame and a professional angler for more than 40 years announces his retirement from professional bass fishing. The Gainesville, Fla. Pro is competing in the final Major League Fishing Tackle Warehouse Invitational event of the 2025 season at the St Lawrence River in Massena, N.Y. this week, his final as a full-time touring professional.

Following the conclusion of that event, Grigsby will return home to Gainesville, Fla. Where he has begun working with Florida Wildlife Officials capturing and rehoming nuisance alligators with his grandson Bryce and spending time with his wife Polly, their children Amy and Shaw and their grandchildren. Grigsby has not ruled out competing in one-off professional events near home. Check out more details on Grigsby’s retirement here.

Pulse Fish Side Piece
Incredibly productive for fishing open water or around cover, the Pulse Fish Lures Side Piece is constructed using an unorthodox design resulting in amplified action, capability, and vibration. Unlike a typical vibrating jig head-to-blade connection, the Side Piece sports a wire frame that keeps its custom blade separate and protects the 3/0 Mustad hook, giving the bait an alluring shimmy and hunting action with improved snag resistance. Dressed with a custom skirt and engineered with a special head design that won’t roll, the Side Piece also comes armed with a bait keeper that locks your soft-plastic trailer in place during aggressive casts and retrieves. Delivering the profile, thump, and flash that fires up big bass, the Pulse Fish Lures Side Piece is a particularly great choice for fishing on windy days and in stained water. Check them out here.
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PRESENTED BY: Denali

Shaw Grigsby

Photo Courtesy Major League Fishing

Major League Fishing angler Shaw Grigsby’s sponsors include Lew’s, Seaguar, Strike King, Eagle Claw/Trokar, Power-Pole, Motorguide, Star brite, Simms, Lowrance, Bob’s Machine, Battle Born Batteries, Revital Outdoors, Luna Sea Sports, and Mathews Archery just to name a few.

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Rest In Peace Brother

As fans around the world mourn the passing of Hulk Hogan, many are remembering not just his legendary wrestling career, but his unexpected impact on the bass fishing world.

Hogan made a splash in the fishing community through a memorable national ad campaign for Ugly Stik rods. With his signature intensity, he brought larger-than-life energy to the brand, helping promote fishing to a new generation of fans. The campaign—equal parts humor and hype—became an instant classic among anglers. Hogan also made headlines with his involvement in FLW Fantasy Fishing. The immortal Hulk Hogan added star power to the growing sport and drew attention from outside the traditional fishing crowd. It was classic Hogan: enthusiastic, competitive, and always playing to the crowd—even if the crowd was now holding rods and reels instead of steel chairs. Though it was just a small part of his legacy, Hulk Hogan’s role in bass fishing brought smiles, energy, and a little extra muscle to the sport.

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Issue #335

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