The River Monsters
of Dallas — Trophy Alligator Gar Fishing on the Trinity —
The same Trinity River that flows through downtown Dallas holds prehistoric, 200-pound predators. Bubba Bedre — the foremost alligator gar guide in the world — has been putting Dallas clients on monsters since 2007.
🦖 Book Your TripBedre is the foremost alligator gar guide in the world… owner of Garzilla Guide Service, the largest fishing guide operation specifically geared for the trophy-size gars of the muddy waters of the Trinity between Dallas and Houston.
Dallas Has the River.
We Have the Fish.
Most Dallasites drive over the Trinity every day without realizing what's swimming underneath it — and the world's best gar guide is right down the road.
The Trinity Runs Through Dallas — But the Monsters Live Downstream
You can technically fish for alligator gar from the boat ramp under the Sylvan Avenue Bridge in downtown Dallas — but the real magic happens south of town, where the Trinity widens, slows, and turns into one of the most productive trophy fisheries on Earth.
Our launch points in Palestine, Huntsville, and Livingston are 90 minutes to 2 hours south of downtown Dallas — an easy day trip from Plano, Frisco, Arlington, McKinney, or Fort Worth. Most clients leave Dallas at 5 AM, fish the prime morning bite, and are home for dinner.
Why DFW Anglers Pick Garzilla
Dallas has plenty of bass guides on Ray Roberts, Cedar Creek, and Lake Fork. None of them can put you on a 7-foot, 200-pound, armor-plated river dinosaur. That takes decades of experience on this specific stretch of water — and Bubba Bedre grew up on it. His family ranch sits on the Trinity River.
While other Texas guides chase the same bass everyone else chases, Garzilla owns the gar game. 18 IGFA World Records. Featured by D Magazine. Filmed for Animal Planet's River Monsters. There is no second place.
The Trinity River Edge
- The Trinity flows from Dallas to the Gulf — and the southern stretch holds the world's densest trophy gar population
- Bubba serves on the Freshwater Fishery Advisory Committee for Texas Parks & Wildlife
- Founder of the Texas Gar Fishing Association — leading the charge on alligator gar conservation
- The exact river featured on Animal Planet's River Monsters with Jeremy Wade
- 100% catch-and-release with TPWD-approved bronze hooks and conservation practices
Why Garzilla?
There are guides. There are good guides. And there's Bubba Bedre — the guide every other gar guide is trying to copy.
18 IGFA World Records
More International Game Fish Association world record certifications for our clients than any other gar guide service on the planet.
Featured in D Magazine
Profiled by Dallas's flagship publication as "the foremost alligator gar guide in the world." Same Trinity River that runs through downtown Dallas.
As Seen on River Monsters
Featured by Jeremy Wade on Animal Planet's River Monsters — the episode that put alligator gar on the global sportfishing map.
100% Success Rate
We guarantee fish. If you fish a full day with us and don't hook into an alligator gar, your next trip is on the house. No fine print.
Seven-Boat Fleet
The largest alligator gar guide operation in the world — operating across the Trinity, Brazos, and beyond, between Dallas and Houston.
TPWD Advisory Member
Bubba sits on the Texas Parks & Wildlife Freshwater Fishery Advisory Committee — shaping the future of Texas fisheries.
What to Expect
On a Dallas-Area Trip
From the moment you leave Dallas, the goal is one thing: putting you tight on a monster.
Easy Day Trip from DFW
Most Dallas clients leave home around 5 AM and meet us at the ramp in Palestine, Huntsville, or Livingston — 90 minutes to 2 hours south. We send exact directions when you book. Be home for dinner.
The Boat
You'll fish out of a custom 23' SeaArk shallow-water skiff or aluminum jet boat built specifically for the Trinity. We can navigate water 6 inches deep to reach the spots nobody else can get to.
The Setup
Cut smallmouth buffalo or carp on a 3/0 bronze treble. Heavy braid, steel leader, large slip-cork floating in the current. Every piece of gear is provided. Live bait included.
The Hit
The cork disappears. The reel screams. We let her run, eat, and turn — then you bow up and set the hook into 150 pounds of pure prehistoric muscle and bone.
The Fight
30 minutes minimum. Sometimes well over an hour for the big ones. These fish don't quit, and neither do we. Expect the most physical freshwater battle of your life.
Photos & Release
Every fish is photographed and released alive. We use conservation-grade gear because we want these monsters here for your kids and their kids.
Dallas Trip Packages
Three ways to chase a monster. Call for exact pricing — rates vary by season, group size, and launch point.
Half-Day Adventure
6 Hours · 1–3 Anglers
- ✓ Trophy alligator gar guaranteed
- ✓ All gear, rods, reels, bait included
- ✓ Closest Trinity launch points
- ✓ Photos included
- ✓ Best for first-timers & families
Full-Day Trophy Hunt
8 Hours · 1–4 Anglers
- ✓ Maximum water time
- ✓ Best shot at 150+ lb fish
- ✓ Lunch on the river included
- ✓ Professional photos
- ✓ Most-booked option for DFW clients
VIP Trophy Package
Multi-Day · Lodging Included
- ✓ Riverside lodging
- ✓ All meals included
- ✓ Best shot at a 200+ lb monster
- ✓ Professionally edited trip video
- ✓ For serious trophy hunters
What Dallas Clients Say
"Our trip with Garzilla was first class! No drama, no time-wasting, no excuses just a lotta hard work and big gator gar. We checked an item off my 18-year-old son's bucket list and caught some big Texas Tarpon! The best was 7.6 ft. - 200 lbs."
"My family and I had the pleasure of fishing with Bubba's Alligator Gar Guide Service. This is a rare experience and fishing trip that we now plan on doing every year. You will want to do the same after you've tried it."
"Our guide was Justin through Garzilla. We had a blast. He was funny, nice, and he got us fish real fast. He was on time and didn't make us wait. 100% worth the money if you wanna catch some big ones."
Dallas Angler FAQ
Stop Reading.
Start Fishing.
Dallas weekend dates book up fast — especially May through October. If you're serious about putting a hand on a 100+ pound river monster this year, get on the calendar today.