Reely Hooked Fish Co. made its appearance on Shark Tank in Season 9. The founders were Steven Markley and James Arcaro. They had a unique product. It was a healthy smoked fish dip. Most fish dips are made with mayo or cream cheese. These dips are full of calories and not always healthy. Steven and James wanted to change that. They created a dip with Greek yogurt instead.
It was healthier and tasted great. They also used apples in the dip for extra sweetness. They wanted to offer a healthier alternative. They went on Shark Tank seeking $75,000 for 25% of their company. Will the entrepreneur get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out Reely Hooked Fish Co. update to find out!
Reely Hooked Fish Co Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
At the time of their appearance on Shark Tank, Reely Hooked Fish Co. was valued at $300,000, as they sought $75,000 for 25% equity. After the show aired, Reely Hooked Fish Co. saw a big increase in website traffic, sales, and social media exposure. Despite receiving an investment from Mark Cuban, the company struggled to scale due to issues with shipping fresh fish and expanding their market. By 2019, the company ceased operations, and today, Reely Hooked Fish Co.’s net worth is $0 as the business is no longer in operation.
Steven and James became well-known following the Shark Tank broadcast. Many people loved their dip. Small shops all around Florida carried their fish dip. Some local retailers carried the product. They did however meet numerous difficulties. They had trouble expanding their company. A significant issue was shipping the fresh fish.
Delivery of the product to other locations was challenging as a result. The business made an effort to resolve this issue. They concentrated on gathering names and emails. Their first priority was to resolve the shipping problems. Once the issue was resolved they intended to develop. Regretfully they ceased posting on social media in 2019. They have taken down their website.
At some point, the business closed down. In 2019 Markley moved on to launch a pool maintenance business. It will close in 2022. Today the company is no longer operating. Reely Hooked Fish Co. is no longer in business.
Reely Hooked Fish Co. did get a deal on Shark Tank. They asked for $75,000 for 25% of their company. After their pitch, Mark Cuban made an offer. He agreed to give them the full $75,000 for 25% equity. Steven and James accepted his offer. They were excited to have Mark Cuban as their investor. They hoped the money would help them grow.
They planned to use the money to improve their facility. They also hoped it would allow them to focus full-time on the business. Mark Cuban was the only Shark who made an offer. The other Sharks did not show interest. Daymond John said they were too early in their business.
Lori Greiner told them to focus on their firefighting jobs. Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec also passed on the deal. However, Mark Cuban was convinced by the product. He offered the money they needed. The deal was made. Unfortunately, the business did not succeed in the long run.
| Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
| Kevin O’Leary | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Lori Greiner | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Robert Herjavec | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Daymond John | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Mark Cuban | $75,000 for 25% equity | N/A | Yes |
Reely Hooked Fish Co Shark Tank pitch
Steven Markley and James Arcaro were both from Florida. They both worked as wildland firefighters. They met during their fire academy training. They found that they had similar interests. They also shared a passion for business. Both had been involved in businesses before. They were looking for a new business idea. One day James suggested making a smoked fish dip. Steven liked the idea and they began working on it.
They wanted to make a fish dip that was different from the usual ones. Most smoked fish dips are made with cream cheese or mayonnaise. They are not very healthy. Steven and James wanted to create a healthier version. They decided to use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese. The Greek yogurt would make it healthier and give it a smooth texture. They also added apples to sweeten the dip naturally.
They were proud of their product. They wanted to offer something new to the market. It took them some time to perfect the recipe. Once they had their recipe ready they began selling it. They started by selling it to craft breweries. They thought breweries were a great place to sell the dip. People at breweries love trying new foods and drinks. They started working with three local breweries.
They were able to get their dip into these places. They also sold a small amount to a retailer. Their sales were not huge but they were growing. They were optimistic. However, they knew they needed more money to grow. That’s when they decided to go on Shark Tank.
James and Steven entered the Shark Tank with excitement and trepidation. They wanted their goods to make an impression on the Sharks. They offered their nutritious dip made from smoked salmon. They described the differences between it and other drops. The majority of unhealthy smoked salmon dips use a lot of cream cheese or mayo. They used apples and Greek yogurt in their dip.
It tasted fantastic and was healthy. After only three months they informed the Sharks that they had sold $10,000 worth of merchandise. Although they were pleased with their sales, they desired more. In order to upgrade their facility, they required $75,000. They also desired to devote themselves entirely to their business. Steven clarified that a better facility would allow them to reduce their production expenses.
They would be able to purchase more fish as a result. They were just starting out in business. Large-scale sales had not yet been achieved. However, they hoped that the investment would aid in their expansion. The Sharks questioned the company and the product. They wanted to know how they were going to scale. James and Steven addressed all of the inquiries and provided an explanation of their plans.
Mark Cuban expressed interest and made a proposal. He made an offer of $75,000 for a quarter of the business. James and Steven agreed to the deal. The addition of Mark Cuban thrilled them. They believed that his financing would enable them to expand their company.
The Sharks had many questions about the product. They wanted to know more about the fish and the recipe. Steven explained that they used king mackerel. This type of fish is oily and smokes well. The fish gave the dip a rich and smoky flavor. The Sharks asked about the Greek yogurt. They wanted to know if it made the dip healthier. Steven confirmed that the yogurt was a healthier alternative to mayo.
It was lower in calories and higher in protein. The dip had only 245 calories per container and 32 grams of protein. The Sharks were impressed with the nutritional value of the dip. They asked about the apples. They wanted to know if the apples affected the taste. Steven said the apples added sweetness and sophistication to the dip. The Sharks tasted the dip and were impressed.
They liked the flavor and the texture. They could tell that the product was unique. However, the Sharks still had some doubts. They asked about the sales and distribution. The founders explained that they were selling to craft breweries. They had sold $10,000 in just three months. However, they needed more sales to grow. The Sharks wanted to know how they planned to scale.
The founders explained that they needed better equipment and a bigger facility. They believed that this would help them reduce costs and grow their sales. The Sharks asked about the cost of production. Steven said that each container of dip cost $4.50 to make. They sold the dip for $10 per container. However, they believed they could increase the price to $12. They were confident that the dip was worth it.
However, the Sharks still had concerns about the business’s growth potential. They needed more evidence that the business could scale before they would invest more money.
The Sharks had mixed reactions to the pitch. Daymond John was the first to pass. He said that the business was too early for him. He felt that they needed more sales and a better track record before he would invest. Lori Greiner also passed. She told the founders that they should focus on their firefighting jobs. She did not feel that the business was ready for investment. Kevin O’Leary also passed.
He felt that the business was overvalued. He was not impressed with the $300,000 valuation. Robert Herjavec passed as well. He did not see the potential for growth in the business. However, Mark Cuban saw something different. He believed in the product and the founders. He asked if they could achieve $1,000 in weekly sales. Steven and James said yes. Mark then offered $75,000 for 25% of the company.
He believed that the dip had potential and that the business could grow. The founders were thrilled with the offer. They accepted it and made a deal with Mark Cuban. They hoped his investment would help them scale their business. He enquired as to whether their weekly sales could reach $1,000. James and Steven agreed. Mark then made an offer of $75,000 for a quarter of the business.
He thought the business could expand and that the dip had potential. The founders were thrilled with the offer. They agreed to a contract with Mark Cuban after accepting it. They anticipated that his financing would enable them to grow their company.
What Went Wrong With Reely Hooked Fish Co. On Shark Tank?
Not all the Sharks were convinced. Daymond John passed because he felt the business was too early. He wanted to see more sales before he would invest. Lori Greiner also passed. She felt the founders should focus on their current jobs. Kevin O’Leary passed because he did not like the valuation of the company. He felt the business was overvalued. Robert Herjavec also did not invest.
He felt that the business lacked potential for growth. The founders faced a lot of challenges. They were only selling their dip to a few local breweries and retailers. They had not yet achieved large-scale sales. The Sharks needed more proof that the business could grow before they would invest. The product was unique but the company was still in its early stages. The founders needed more time and more sales to convince the Sharks.
Product Availability
Small businesses throughout Florida carried the smoked fish dip that Reely Hooked Fish Co. marketed. Some local craft breweries also carried it. Greek yogurt was used in place of mayonnaise or cream cheese, making the food unique. Customers had a healthier choice as a result. Amberjack and king mackerel were used to make the dip. The fish came from Florida’s sustainable fisheries.
Each container of the dip included only 32 grams of protein and 245 calories. The founders thought that a price of $12 would be more appropriate but it was sold for $10 per container. Sadly the business had trouble expanding. Shipping the fresh fish presented difficulties for them. Because of this, growing the company was challenging.
The founders also had trouble securing larger retail deals. Their website is no longer active. They stopped posting on social media in 2019. Today, the product is no longer available for purchase.
Conclusion
Reely Hooked Fish Co. came up with a creative concept. They developed a smoked fish dip that is healthier. It was a tasty and distinctive product. But the company has a lot of problems. The founders found it difficult to expand their business after Shark Tank. They sold the dip in small stores and breweries in Florida. But they struggled to grow and ship. They have taken down their website.
The company eventually went out of business. Despite the investment from Mark Cuban, the business did not succeed in the long run. None of the other businesses the founders attempted to launch were successful. The company Reely Hooked Fish Co. is no longer operating.
Hi, I’m Laiba Khurram, a BBA student specializing in Marketing at FAST NUCES ISB. My background includes experience in finance, marketing, and event coordination. My skills include teamwork, time management, and Microsoft tools. Watching Shark Tank has always inspired me, as I admire the innovative pitches and entrepreneurial spirit showcased on the show. This passion drives my approach to finding creative solutions and understanding market dynamics. Read more About me.
