Fishing can be a relaxing hobby, but sometimes it lacks excitement. Many anglers wish for gear that adds a bit of fun to their experience.
Jeff Stafford and Dusty Holloway, two friends who love both hunting and fishing, noticed this. They thought, “What if we make fishing more thrilling?” So, they came up with a unique idea: fishing bobbers made from real shotgun shells. They called these creations “Shell Bobbers.”
To bring their idea to life, they went on the TV show “Shark Tank” in Season 4. They hoped to get support from the investors, known as the Sharks. They asked for $80,000 in exchange for 20% of their company. Did they get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out our Shell Bobbers update to find out!
Shell Bobbers Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Chris Crawford and Todd Curry went on Shark Tank asking for $80,000 for 20% of their company. This meant they thought their business was worth $400,000. They made a deal with Mark Cuban for $80,000 for 33%, lowering the valuation to $242,424. The episode was aired on April 5, 2013. The company operated for a few years but later shut down. The current net worth of Shell Bobbers is $0 in 2025.
After appearing on “Shark Tank,” Jeff and Dusty saw a big boost in their business. They got a lot of attention from people who liked their creative product. With the help of Mark Cuban, one of the Sharks, they expanded their operations. They moved into a bigger workspace to keep up with the growing demand.
Their products became available in many stores, including over 3,000 7-Eleven locations. They also started talking with Walmart about selling their bobbers there.
However, as time went on, the excitement faded. Today, Shell Bobbers has gone out of business. Their website and social media pages became inactive. It seems that despite their early success, they couldn’t keep the momentum going.
Yes, Jeff and Dusty did get a deal on “Shark Tank.” They asked for $80,000 in exchange for 20% of their company. After some discussion, Mark Cuban offered them $80,000 for 33% of the company. Jeff and Dusty agreed to this offer.
| Shark(s) name | Lori Greiner | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
| Lori Greiner | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Robert Herjavec | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Kevin O’Leary | $80,000 for 50% equity + 50 cents per unit until $80k is recouped, then royalty hoes down to 10 cents per unit in perpetuity | N/A | No |
| Daymond John | $80,000 for 20% equity | N/A | No |
| Mark Cuban | $80,000 for 33% equity | N/A | Yes |
Shell Bobbers Shark Tank pitch
Jeff and Dusty loved both hunting and fishing. One day, while hunting, they noticed something interesting. A used shotgun shell fell into the water and floated. This gave them an idea: why not turn these shells into fishing bobbers? They thought it would be a fun way to combine their two hobbies. They faced challenges in the beginning.
They had to figure out how to make the bobbers safe by deactivating the shells. They also needed to find a way to produce them efficiently. But they were determined to make their idea work.
When Jeff and Dusty went on “Shark Tank,” they were excited to share their idea. They showed the Sharks their Shell Bobbers and explained how they got the idea. They told the Sharks that it cost them less than $1 to make a pack of three bobbers, which they sold for $8.99.
They asked for $80,000 in exchange for 20% of their company. They wanted the money to help them produce more bobbers and reach more customers. Keep reading our Shell Bobbers update to see what happens next!
The Sharks had many questions about the Shell Bobbers.
Kevin O’Leary joked about using live ammo, but Jeff explained that they made sure the shells were safe.
Robert Herjavec was surprised that the bobbers were made from real shotgun shells.
Daymond John, who likes fishing, wanted to know about their sales. Jeff said they had sold 440 units, making just under $1,000. This wasn’t a lot, and the Sharks were concerned.
Lori Greiner asked why Jeff said the bobbers were “flying off the shelves” when sales were low. Jeff explained that in one ACE Hardware store, they sold about one bobber a day. He believed that if they could get into more stores, sales would increase.
Daymond asked if they had a patent or trademark. Jeff said they had a provisional patent and had trademarked “Shell Bobbers” and “Fishing Ammo.”
Each Shark had their own thoughts about the Shell Bobbers.
Daymond John liked the idea but felt they didn’t have enough sales yet. He offered $8,000 for 20% of the company, which the others thought was too low.
Kevin O’Leary offered $80,000 for 50% of the company, plus a royalty on each sale. Jeff didn’t like the idea of giving up half of their company.
Mark Cuban appreciated their hard work and believed in their potential. He offered $80,000 for 33% of the company.
Jeff and Dusty accepted Mark’s offer.
Product Availability
From our Shell Bobbers update research, after “Shark Tank,” Shell Bobbers were sold in many places. They were available in over 3,000 7-Eleven stores. They also talked with Walmart about selling their products there.
Customers could buy them online through their website and other online stores. A pack of three bobbers costs around $8.99. The bobbers were unique because they were made from real shotgun shells, which made them stand out from other fishing gear.
Conclusion
Jeff and Dusty’s journey with Shell Bobbers started with a simple idea: turning used shotgun shells into fishing bobbers. Their appearance on “Shark Tank” helped them gain attention and support, especially from Mark Cuban. They worked hard to grow their business and got their products into many stores.
However, despite their efforts, the company eventually went out of business. Their story shows the challenges of turning a creative idea into a lasting business.

Hey, I’m Amna Habib an undergraduate student of Bachelors in Business Administration. Shark Tank is one of my favorite TV shows of all time. The show provides a fascinating insight into the world of entrepreneurship by presenting creative solutions to common problems, which strongly connects to my academic interests. I’m interested in learning more about the strategic thinking and creativity that lead these companies as each pitch provides insightful information. I’ve found that watching Shark Tank has inspired my enthusiasm for business and entrepreneurship and has been a very enlightening and motivating experience. Apart from business and writing, I love food, shopping, and hanging out with friends and family. Read more About me.








