Sequin, TX — May 26, 2026 — The bass fishing community is mourning the passing of Tony Gergely, founder of Sure-Life Laboratories and a pioneer in the development of fish-care formulas used by tournament anglers, fisheries-minded bass fishermen, and conservation-focused organizations across the country.
Gergely passed away today following a battle with leukemia. He passed peacefully with his family by his side.
Widely respected for his expertise in fish chemistry and livewell care, Gergely devoted decades of his life to improving the survival and health of bass and other gamefish. Through Sure-Life Laboratories, he helped shape the modern approach to fish care in tournament fishing, developing products and education aimed at reducing stress and improving post-release survival.
His work included the development of fish-care formulas such as Catch and Release and Please Release Me, products that became well known among tournament anglers for helping care for bass held in livewells before weigh-in and release. Public industry references credit Gergely, with assistance from others, with helping develop the first live-release formula for bass, a product used by B.A.S.S. during weigh-ins in the 1980s and 1990s.
“Tony’s impact on bass fishing is immeasurable,” said Glenn May, founder of BassResource.com. “Long before fish care became a mainstream topic in tournament fishing, Tony was already working on real solutions. He cared deeply about the fish, the anglers, and the future of the sport.”
Gergely’s influence extended beyond the products he created. He was known for educating anglers on proper livewell care, tournament fish handling, and conservation-minded practices that helped preserve fisheries for future generations.
For BassResource.com, Gergely was also a longtime supporter and friend.
“Tony quietly sponsored BassResource for decades,” May said. “He didn’t do it for recognition or simply to drive sales. He did it because he believed in helping anglers and supporting the work BassResource does. That says everything about who he was.”
May said Gergely’s passing is both a personal loss and a loss for the broader fishing community.
“He was a good friend for more than 20 years,” May said. “He was generous, knowledgeable, humble, and passionate about leaving the sport better than he found it. Countless anglers — and countless fish — benefited from his work. His legacy will continue every time an angler takes better care of the fish they catch.”
BassResource.com extends its deepest condolences to Gergely’s family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Sure-Life community.
About BassResource.com
Founded in 1996, BassResource.com is the oldest, largest, and most active independent bass fishing website in the United States. The site provides educational bass fishing articles, videos, forums, and resources designed to help anglers of all skill levels catch more fish and become better stewards of the sport.