Mud Hole Custom Tackle is celebrating a major milestone in 2026, marking 50 years of serving anglers and custom rod builders while continuing to expand its footprint in the fishing industry. Foundation Outdoor Group, the parent company of Mud Hole, is honoring the brand’s golden anniversary with new product offerings, special promotions, and an exclusive distribution partnership that reinforces Mud Hole’s position as the world’s leading source for rod building and fishing gear.
Founded in 1976 as a small rod building and tackle shop in New Jersey, Mud Hole relocated to Oviedo, Florida in 1999 and has since grown into the largest distributor of custom rod building components, tools, education, and fishing products worldwide. To commemorate five decades in business, Mud Hole is releasing its 2026 Rod Building Catalog featuring two commemorative covers and a special section highlighting key milestones from the company’s history. The anniversary celebration also includes dedicated website and social media content, along with promotions across Mud Hole’s extensive product lineup.
“It’s hard to believe Mud Hole has been in the rod building and tackle industry for fifty years,” said Brook Oliva, President and COO of Foundation Outdoor Group. “I am most excited about the return to our tackle shop roots. While our dedication to rod building is stronger than ever, bringing traditional fishing tackle back into the mix has been a great strategy for Mud Hole.”
That return to its roots began in 2025, when Mud Hole significantly expanded its product portfolio to include reels, fishing line, lures, terminal tackle, apparel, and even factory rods and combos. Top brands such as Shimano, Daiwa, St. Croix, Z-Man, NLBN, Bates, and AFTCO are now available through MudHole.com and in the company’s Oviedo retail showroom, allowing anglers and rod builders to find everything they need in one place.
As part of the anniversary kickoff, Foundation Outdoor Group is launching a limited-time promotion with 25% off two of the most popular rod building tools on the market: the CRB PRO G2 Power Wrapper and the CRB PRO Ultimate Power Wrapper Kit.
Alongside the anniversary celebration, Foundation Outdoor Group also announced an exclusive distribution agreement with FishSkins Custom Rod Grips. Through this partnership, FishSkins’ innovative polymer fishing rod grips will now be available globally via MudHole.com and the Mud Hole Advantage B2B purchasing program.
FishSkins grips are designed to deliver superior comfort, grip, and durability in all conditions, while standing out visually with vibrant designs that mimic popular gamefish such as largemouth bass, redfish, mahi mahi, and wahoo. Unlike traditional cork or EVA grips, FishSkins products combine eye-catching style with industry-leading performance.
“We’re very excited to add FishSkins to our family of distributed brands,” said Hunter McKamey, Vice President of Foundation Outdoor Group. “The quality, durability, and unique designs of their polymer grips are unmatched, and we believe they’ll be extremely popular with our rod building customers.”
In addition to distribution, Foundation Outdoor Group and FishSkins plan to collaborate on developing new grip colors, shapes, and designs to meet the evolving needs of both hobbyist and professional rod builders.
FishSkins President John Mazzanoble sees the partnership as a major growth opportunity. “Partnering with Foundation Outdoor Group for international distribution is the perfect way to bring FishSkins to the rod building community at large,” he said. “MudHole.com’s reach and expertise give us confidence that FishSkins will exceed our growth expectations.”
FishSkins rod grips are now available online at MudHole.com, in Mud Hole’s 10,000-square-foot Oviedo retail showroom, or by phone.
