Category

Partner Athletes

Chad Grigsby Partner Athletes

Chad Grigsby 2013 Fishing Season Kick-off

For those of you that don’t know me, I am Chad Grigsby and I am a professional angler on the FLW Tour – the PGA circuit of bass fishing. I have had the fortune of competing professionally full time for 11 years. That’s right, I fish for a living. I live in Maple Grove, MN, am married to Bridget and have two daughters – Isabelle, who is now five and Avrey, who is now three.

Well, the 2013 season on the FLW Tour got kick started with a great tournament. I ended up 9th. The goal, of course, is to win every time, but when you are up against the best 150 anglers in the world it is always great to be fishing for 4 days (for those who don’t know about tournament fishing, they cut the field to 20 after day 2 and to 10 after day 4). We couldn’t have asked for better weather down in Clewiston, FL where we took off from to compete on Lake Okeechobee.

Chad Grigsby wearing Coolibar Aqua T-Shirt

After spending the last three months in Minnesota the Long Sleeve Aqua T-Shirt came in very handy to protect my Minnesota skin from the Florida sun! It also looked great on me, hey I am just sayin’. The lake was in excellent condition for flipping, which is the technique I mainly used along with some sight fishing. On the final day it is a requirement for me to wear a short-sleeved jersey, thats where the Long-Sleeved Crewneck Swimshirt did double duty of protecting me from the sun and keeping me cool in the mid-80 temps. The next stop on Tour is Lewis Smith Lake in Jasper, AL March 7-10. Be sure to check out FLW Live! to watch the weigh-in and hopefully watch me all four days!

1 Comment
Chad Grigsby Coolibar Athletes

Athlete Chad Grigsby Reviews Coolibar Swim Shirt

Coolibar Athlete Chad Grigsby is a pro angler, currently in his 10th full season on the FLW Tour. He spends hours on the water waiting for the perfect catch. Due to the lack of shade on the water, Chad sought out Coolibar for long lasting sun protection. He put Coolibar’s UPF 50+ sunwear to the test and now shares his thoughts on its versatile performance. Read Chad’s review of the Coolibar Long Sleeve Swim Shirt.

Overall, I think it is a great shirt, hands down my favorite. I like the way it fits and it really keeps me cool out on the water when I am standing in the sun from daylight to dark. It keeps me cooler than wearing a T-shirt.

What activities did you partake in when wearing the shirt?

Fishing

What are your favorite features?

I like how it keeps me cool all day in the sun. I also like the color surf blue.

What are your overall thoughts on the fabric?

Great, soft feel and it does what it is meant to do – protect my skin.

Did the fabric meet your expectations?

Yes, no snags and I have worn it a ton on the water.

Did the fabric stick to your skin?

No

What do you want others to know about this shirt?

I would want people to know that it keeps you cool and is UPF 50.

Any tips to stay comfortable/safe out in the sun?

Sun protection is not an option but a requirement for anyone who spends a significant amount of time outdoors. If you don’t like to use sunscreen, UPF clothing is an excellent alternative. Also wear a hat!

Get the Coolibar Long Sleeve Swim Shirt.

Read other Coolibar Athlete product reviews.

No Comments
Chad Grigsby Coolibar Athletes

Fishing Season Update from Coolibar Athlete Chad Grigsby

For those of you that don’t know me, and am I sure there are a few, I am Chad Grigsby and I am a professional angler on the FLW Tour – the PGA circuit of bass fishing. I have had the fortune of competing professionally full time for 10 years. That’s right, I fish for a living. I live in Maple Grove, MN, am married to Bridget and have two daughters – Isabelle, who is 4 and Avrey who is 2.

This year the season kicked off in January on Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston, FL. Okeechobee is one of my favorite lakes, as I tend to do well competitively there; however, this year wasn’t my best performance- I finished 58 out of 164- but I am excited to go back and won’t complain about being in the Florida sun in January. (Photo: Me in a Coolibar long sleeve protecting me from the Florida sun during practice).

Next I was off to Lake Hartwell in Columbia, SC where I struggled again and finished 120…on to Table Rock in Branson, MO where I finally cracked the top 50! (Photo: Me with my largest bass from Table Rock before weigh in with Isabelle, Coolibar shirt underneath the jersey – amazing that the long sleeves keep you cool and dry when fishing all day in 85 degree weather).

 

After Table Rock, I was able to head to Scottsdale, AZ with my family, where we celebrated Easter and had fun in the sun! (Photo: My daughter Isabelle after her Easter Egg Hunt wearing a kids Coolibar zip up to protect her Irish skin from the sun rays!)

Next up Beaver Lake in Rogers, AR, which is also a favorite of mine for a couple of reasons. I tend to do well there and that is where I met my wife (I am originally from Michigan- Go Big Blue!).

Well, I will check in again after Beaver, hopefully with a great story of my fantastic performance.

Stay cool. Chad

No Comments
Chad Grigsby Coolibar Athletes Inside Coolibar Wellness Warriors

Coolibar Athlete Chad Grigsby

I love to fish! I have fished since I was six years old, and it gave me a passion for the outdoors. I started fishing local tournaments in Michigan when I was 17 and always had the goal of taking it to the next level. I had a job in advertising and sales for about 10 years and then finally decided to take the risk and try fishing full time in 2002. I have been extremely fortunate in being able to live my dream and fish for a living. I love what I do every single day and know how lucky I am to do it.

2012 marks my 10th year as a full-time pro on the FLW Tour – the top level of tournament bass fishing. I have 7 top ten finishes on the Tour and one win, which was in 2011 on Kentucky Lake. I have qualified for the Forrest Wood Cup (superbowl of bass fishing) four times. My goals at the beginning of every season are to be Angler of the Year, win a Tour event and qualify for the Forrest Wood Cup.

I spend more than 100 days a year on the water during practice and tournament days. Some days I spend 15 hours on the water with over 12 hours in the direct sun. It takes a product like Coolibar to protect me from harmful UV rays – I apply sunscreen every morning – but I don’t always think about re-applying, and I need to. Coolibar eliminates that necessity.

When I’m not fishing, I enjoy hunting, golfing, mountain biking and also spending time with my family and do-it-yourself home improvement projects.

Career Highlights:

Grigsby has six top-10 finishes, including a 2011 win at Kentucky Lake, on the Walmart FLW Tour and a runner-up finish at the Forrest Wood Cup in 2005…Grigsby began his professional fishing career in 2003 when he compted in his first full season on the FLW Tour.

2011: Grigsby earned his first FLW Tour win at Kentucky Lake by weighing his career-heaviest stringer (22-13) on the final day.

2010: Grigsby posted a runner-up effort on Fort Loudoun/Tellico lakes.

2009: Grigsby, who excels at sight fishing, began the FLW Series Eastern Division season with a 16th-place finish on Lake Okeechobee, which happens to be his favorite lake, and ended the year ranked 19th in the Angler of the Year standings.

2006: He registered three top-20 finishes on Tour with a ninth-place finish on Lake Okeechobee, a 17th-place effort on Beaver Lake and a 15th-place finish on Lake Champlain.

2005: In Tour competition, he finished the year ranked 26th in the AOY race and fell just short of securing a win on bass fishing’s biggest stage – the Forrest Wood Cup – when he finished second on Lake Hamilton. 2003: Grigsby posted three top-15 finishes in 2003 EverStart Series Southeast Division competition, including a season opening sixth-place finish on Lake Okeechobee, to end the year ranked seventh.

Personal:

Chad is married to Bridget and they have two daughters, Isabelle (4 years) and Avrey (2 years). When Chad isn’t competeing on Tour he loves to hunt and golf and he especially enjoys cooking for his family.

We are honored to have Chad as part of Team Coolibar and look forward to a sun AWARE fishing season. 

Chad casting
2 Comments
Show Buttons
Hide Buttons