Alligator Gar Fishing Tips

Treble Hooks vs. J-Hooks for Alligator Gar: What the Research and 1,000s of Tagged Fish Actually Show

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 03:26:55 GMT

Controlled testing and TPWD tagging data from 1,000s of recaptured fish reveals why bronze treble hooks outperform J-hooks for catch-and-release alligator gar survival.

Most of the hook debate in fishing is opinion. This isn't.

Over decades of guiding on the Trinity River, tagging thousands of alligator gar for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and conducting controlled testing on a private lake, I've accumulated data that most guides never have access to — because most guides don't work at this scale or with this level of scientific involvement.

What follows is what the evidence actually shows about hook choice, hook placement, and alligator gar survival. Not forum speculation. Not anecdote. Documented, repeatable findings from real fish.

The TPWD Tagging Program: What Recaptures Tell Us

Garzilla Guide Service has tagged thousands of alligator gar for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as part of ongoing population research on the Trinity River. The data from recapturing those same tagged fish over multiple seasons reveals something critical about hook survivability.

We have repeatedly caught the same tagged fish — fish that were previously gut-hooked with bronze treble hooks — showing no signs of long-term injury. These fish returned to full health, resumed normal feeding behavior, and were caught again, sometimes multiple times.

In contrast, we have documented cases where stainless steel circle hooks were retained in fish. These hooks did not dissolve. They migrated through the digestive system and were found lodged in the rectum — confirmed in recaptured fish. We have never documented a bronze hook that passed through and hung in the rectum , or any bronze hook that caused long-term systemic injury in a recaptured fish.

The explanation is straightforward: alligator gar stomach acid is highly potent. It is designed to break down bone, scales, and hard tissue. Bronze hooks corrode rapidly in that environment — TPWD confirms that bronze hooks and leaders degrade within weeks in gar stomach acid. Stainless steel, by design, resists corrosion. It persists for years inside the fish, causing ongoing internal damage.

The takeaway: if you deep-hook a gar and cannot safely remove the hook, cut the line and leave a bronze hook. Never leave stainless steel.

Controlled Testing: Why Treble Hooks Outperform J-Hooks on Gut-Hooked Gar

In controlled testing on a private lake, I compared survival outcomes between alligator gar that were completely gut-hooked on 4/0 treble hooks versus those gut-hooked on J-hooks of equivalent size.

The results were consistent: 4/0 treble hooks produced a significantly higher survival rate when swallowed completely.

Here's the mechanical reason:

A J-hook, when swallowed and turned during a fight, creates concentrated single-point pressure on the stomach or throat wall. That single point drives into tissue with all the force of the fish's movement and the angler's pressure. It rips. The damage is often irreparable.

A treble hook that is fully swallowed behaves differently. The three points distribute pressure across a wider contact area. Rather than driving a single point through soft tissue, the hook tends to "heap" — the multiple points create a stable geometry that resists deep penetration into the stomach lining. The tissue compression is spread out, reducing the likelihood of a tear.

This is the same reason TPWD's own tagging studies have repeatedly found that deeply hooked fish cut loose with hooks in place survive at higher rates than fish from which guides attempted to retrieve hooks — the extraction trauma frequently exceeds the hook-retention trauma, particularly with J-hooks.

The Swim Bladder Problem: Why Throat Hooks Kill Fish

This is the anatomical reality that most anglers don't know, and it's the most important thing in this article.

The alligator gar's swim bladder is not like a typical fish's swim bladder. It is a vascularized, lung-like organ — connected directly to the throat via the pharyngeo-esophageal duct — that allows the gar to breathe air at the surface. It is threaded with dense blood vessels and functions as a primitive lung. This is why you see gar rolling and gulping air on warm summer mornings. That organ is keeping them alive.

That pharyngeo-esophageal duct — the connection between the swim bladder and the throat — sits adjacent to the esophagus, immediately behind the throat cavity. It is not buried deep in the body. It is close to the surface, close to where a hook lands when a gar is hooked in the throat rather than the stomach.

Hooking a gar in the throat with any hook 5/0 or larger significantly increases the risk of puncturing that duct or the swim bladder itself.

A fish with a punctured swim bladder cannot regulate its depth. It cannot surface to breathe efficiently. It will not survive. Research has documented specific injury patterns confirming that gar hooked in the esophagus frequently sustain injuries to the heart and surrounding vasculature.

This is why hook-set timing matters as much as hook choice. Letting the fish fully run and swallow the bait before setting the hook moves the hook position from the throat into the stomach — a far safer location, particularly with a bronze treble hook that will dissolve over weeks if the fish cannot be safely dehooked.

Practical Recommendations

Based on controlled testing, TPWD tagging recaptures, and 41+ years on the Trinity River:

Why This Matters for the Fishery

The Trinity River holds the best trophy alligator gar population in the world. It got to where it is because enough people started making the right decisions — moving away from kill tournaments, adopting catch-and-release, and paying attention to what actually keeps these fish alive after release.

Hook choice is part of that. It's not the most glamorous part of the conversation, but it's one of the most impactful. A fish that survives a gut hook with a bronze treble can be caught again, tagged again, and studied again. A fish that takes a stainless J-hook in the throat may roll away looking healthy and never be seen again.

We've tagged thousands of fish. We've seen the difference. Now you know it too.

Book a Trip with Garzilla Guide Service

Garzilla Guide Service operates April through September on the Trinity River out of Palestine, TX. All trips are 100% catch-and-release. We fish the way the science supports — because we helped develop it.

41 IGFA World Records · 41+ years on the Trinity River · 258+ five-star reviews

How to Catch Alligator Gar: Equipment, Rigs, Bait, and Technique

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 01:56:16 GMT

Rod, reel, leader, bait, hook-set technique, and water-reading tips from Bubba Bedre — 41+ years on the Trinity River and 41 IGFA World Records for alligator gar.

My name is Bubba Bedre. I've been guiding alligator gar trips on the Trinity River since 2007 — 41+ years on this water total — and I hold 41 IGFA World Records for the species. People ask me all the time: what does it actually take to catch a big alligator gar?

Here's everything you need to know.

Understanding Alligator Gar Before You Fish

Alligator gar are not like other freshwater fish. They can exceed 300 pounds, live over 100 years, and have been swimming in Texas rivers since before the dinosaurs disappeared. They're also ambush predators — slow, deliberate, and smart enough to drop bait the moment they feel resistance.

Everything about how you rig, what bait you use, and how you set the hook has to account for that behavior. Cut corners on any of it and you'll lose fish.

Rod and Reel Setup

Rod: Use a 7 to 7.5-foot medium-heavy rod. You need enough backbone to drive a treble hook into a bony mouth, but enough flex to handle a long, violent run without snapping the line. Both spinning and baitcasting reels work — pick what you're most comfortable with.

Reel and line: Load at least 250 yards of 80–100lb braided line. Alligator gar make long, powerful runs. If you don't have enough line on the spool, a big fish will strip you clean before you can react. Braid is non-negotiable — monofilament stretches too much for a solid hook set on a hard-mouthed fish.

Leader Setup

Your leader is the most critical piece of your rig. Build or buy leaders at least 30 inches long using 90–150lb monofilament or fluorocarbon leader material. You'll need:

The long leader keeps your mainline braid away from the gar's teeth and rough body during the fight. Go shorter and you risk getting cut off. We sell pre-made leaders at garfish-texas.com/store if you want to skip building your own.

Optional: A slip float can be added to suspend your bait at the right depth, especially in slower, deeper water. In current, fishing the bottom without a float typically produces better.

Best Bait for Alligator Gar

Cut bait consistently outperforms live bait for trophy alligator gar. Use non-game rough fish — carp, buffalo, and sucker fish are all excellent. In Texas, these are legal to use and easy to find.

Cut your bait into chunks at least 4 inches by 4 inches . Smaller pieces get rejected or stolen too easily by smaller fish. A big alligator gar wants a substantial meal — give it one. Hook the chunk through the thick part of the meat so it holds during a cast and stays on the hook during the run.

How to Rig and Present the Bait

Fish your cut bait on the bottom — the same general presentation as catfishing — but without a heavy sinker . This is where most people go wrong.

Alligator gar are incredibly sensitive to resistance. If they pick up a bait and feel a heavy weight pulling against them, they drop it. Every time. If you absolutely need some weight to reach the bottom in current, stay at 2 ounces or less and use a slip sinker so the gar can move the bait without pulling the weight.

The ideal setup is weightless or near-weightless, bait resting on or just above the bottom, in known gar territory.

Reading the Water

Alligator gar are not random. They hold in specific locations based on water temperature, season, current, and structure. Key spots to target:

Setting the Hook

This is where most people lose fish — and it's completely preventable.

When an alligator gar picks up your bait, do not set the hook immediately . The fish will run with the bait, stop, turn it, and swallow it. That whole process takes time. Reel down until you feel real weight and steady pressure — not just movement — then drive the hook home with a hard, firm sweep of the rod.

Setting too early is the single most common mistake anglers make on their first gar trip. Give the fish time. It will take it.

Fighting and Landing a Big Gar

Once the hook is set, get ready. A large alligator gar — anything over 100 pounds — will make multiple strong runs before it tires. Keep steady pressure, don't horse the fish, and let your drag do the work.

All alligator gar fishing at Garzilla Guide Service is 100% catch-and-release . These fish can live over 100 years. Killing a trophy gar means removing decades of genetics from the population. We've seen what happens to a fishery when big fish get killed off — the Trinity River is just now recovering. Don't be the reason it goes backward.

When to Fish

Alligator gar season on the Trinity River runs April through September . Peak action is June through August when water temperatures are optimal and fish are most aggressive. June is the single best month if you can only pick one — fish are in pre-spawn concentration and feeding hard. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive windows. Midday in summer can be slow as fish drop deeper to escape heat.

Where to Catch Alligator Gar in Texas

The Trinity River is the best alligator gar fishery in the world. It holds more trophy-class fish than anywhere else on the planet. Our home base is Palestine, TX , which sits in the heart of the most productive stretch of the river. Other productive Texas waters include Lake Livingston, Choke Canyon Reservoir, and portions of the Red River — but none consistently produce the size of fish that the Trinity does.

Book a Trip with Garzilla Guide Service

If you want to skip the learning curve and get on fish with someone who's caught more alligator gar than virtually anyone alive, book a trip with Garzilla Guide Service.

The Best Time of Year to Catch Alligator Gar in Texas

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 01:45:31 GMT

Alligator gar fishing peaks April–September. Learn which months produce the biggest fish, the best action, and when June stands out as the #1 time to book.

Alligator gar are available in Texas year-round — but available and catchable are two very different things. If you want a realistic shot at a trophy fish, timing matters. Water temperature, spawning behavior, current conditions, and seasonal patterns all influence where gar are, how active they are, and how willing they are to eat.

Here's what 41 years on the Trinity River has taught us about when to go — and when to wait.

The Short Answer: April Through September

The alligator gar season at Garzilla Guide Service runs April through September , and that window isn't arbitrary. It tracks the biological reality of when these fish are most active, most accessible, and most likely to give you a trophy-caliber fight.

Outside that window, gar become sluggish, move to deeper water, and feed far less aggressively. You can still find them — but you're fighting the biology of the fish, and that's a losing battle.

April and May: The Season Opener

As water temperatures climb out of winter lows and push toward the 65–70°F range, alligator gar begin moving. They come out of their deep wintering holes, spread across more of the river system, and start feeding actively again.

April and May offer some of the most consistent action of the year. The fish are hungry after a winter of minimal feeding, the water is rising toward optimal temperatures, and surface activity begins picking up. You'll start seeing gar rolling — that distinctive surface behavior where they gulp air — which tells you exactly where to focus.

These months also tend to have more manageable weather. Temperatures are comfortable, the heat hasn't hit yet, and the river is often in good shape. For first-time clients or international visitors not accustomed to Texas summers, April and May are an excellent entry point.

What to expect: Active fish, good water clarity in many stretches, consistent feeding windows in morning and late afternoon.

June: Prime Time Begins

June is when things get serious. Water temperatures are in the 75–80°F range — the sweet spot for alligator gar metabolism and aggression. Fish are feeding heavily, moving more, and responding well to bait presentations.

June also marks the beginning of the spawning period for alligator gar. Pre-spawn and spawn behavior concentrates fish in specific areas of the river, which means a guide who knows those locations can put you on numbers — not just one fish, but multiple shots in a single day.

This is also when the sheer size of the fish becomes more apparent. Gar that have been feeding since April are at peak weight and condition. The chance of a 100+ pound fish is real, and the chance of something pushing 200 pounds is on the table.

What to expect: The best combination of numbers and size. Top-tier action for clients targeting a personal best.

July and August: Trophy Season

If your goal is the biggest alligator gar possible, July and August are your months. Water is warm, fish are at maximum metabolic activity, and the largest specimens in the river are on the feed.

These are also the most physically demanding months to fish. Texas summer heat is not a minor inconvenience — temperatures regularly exceed 100°F on the water. Hydration, sun protection, and early starts are non-negotiable. Garzilla trips are structured to put you on fish during the most productive windows and get you off the water before conditions become dangerous.

The Trinity River in summer holds some of the highest concentrations of trophy alligator gar anywhere on the planet. Our 41 IGFA World Records were set across the season, but a significant number came out of the summer months when fish are at their largest and most aggressive.

What to expect: Maximum fish size, demanding conditions, the highest probability of a record-class catch.

September: The Final Push

September is the underrated month. Crowds thin out, temperatures start to ease slightly in the second half of the month, and gar are still actively feeding before they begin their transition toward winter behavior.

For experienced anglers who've missed the peak summer window, September offers a legitimate second chance at a trophy fish. The fish are still there, still eating, and the conditions are more forgiving than August. Some of the most memorable trips we've guided have happened in late September when everything comes together one last time before the season closes.

What to expect: Excellent fishing, fewer people on the water, gradually improving comfort as the month progresses.

What About the Off-Season?

October through March, alligator gar move to deeper, slower water and largely shut down their feeding activity. Water temperatures below 60°F put these cold-blooded fish into a semi-dormant state. They're alive and present — but not actively hunting, not rolling on the surface, and very difficult to target effectively.

This is also when many guide operations quietly stop taking bookings. At Garzilla, we're honest about it: if you want a trophy alligator gar, the off-season is not the time to come. We'd rather tell you to wait for April than take your money for a trip where the odds are stacked against you.

The Best Single Month to Book

If you can only pick one month, June is the answer. Water temperatures are optimal, fish are in pre-spawn and spawn concentration, feeding activity is at its peak, and the heat is manageable compared to July and August. You get the best of every variable at once.

July and August are close seconds if your primary goal is maximum fish size over comfort.

Plan Your Trip with Garzilla Guide Service

Garzilla Guide Service operates April through September on the Trinity River out of Palestine, TX. With 41 IGFA World Records, 7 boats, and 41+ years of experience on the water, we put more clients on trophy alligator gar than any other guide service in the world.

All trips start at 6 hours minimum. Catch-and-release only.

How to Choose the Best Alligator Gar Fishing Guide in Texas

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 01:26:44 GMT

8 criteria to evaluate before you book an alligator gar guide in Texas — from IGFA records and boat size to reviews and catch-and-release policy.

Alligator gar are unlike anything else you'll encounter in freshwater fishing. They can exceed 300 pounds, stretch past eight feet, and fight with a prehistoric ferocity that most anglers never forget. But chasing a fish of this magnitude on the Trinity River — or anywhere in Texas — requires more than enthusiasm and a rod. It requires the right guide.

Not all alligator gar guides are equal. Choosing the wrong one wastes your time, your money, and possibly your one chance at a fish of a lifetime. Here's what to evaluate before you book.

1. Verify Actual Time on the Water

Anyone can call themselves an alligator gar guide. What separates elite operations from weekend side-gigs is decades of direct experience — specifically on the waters they're taking you.

Ask how long the guide has been fishing the specific river or lake on your trip. Local pattern knowledge — where gar stage by season, how barometric pressure shifts their behavior, which water temperatures trigger surface activity — takes years to accumulate and cannot be learned from YouTube.

Bubba Bedre has fished the Trinity River since age 10. That's 41+ years on the same water before he ever put a client in a boat.

2. Look for Certified World Records

IGFA World Records are the most objective credential in sport fishing. They require independent witnesses, certified scales, and submission to a governing body. They cannot be fabricated or inflated.

A guide service that holds certified IGFA records has produced documented trophy fish — not just social media photos. It confirms the waters they fish actually hold record-class alligator gar, and that they know how to put clients on them.

Garzilla Guide Service holds 41 IGFA World Records — more than any other alligator gar guide service on the planet.

3. Demand Proof of Trophy-Class Clients

Celebrity clientele is a credibility signal that carries real weight in the guide industry. Television crews, professional athletes, and high-profile personalities do not return to mediocre operations — they hire based on reputation, results, and discretion.

Look for documented appearances on mainstream television, not just self-produced content. If a guide has hosted a BBC or National Geographic crew, they've passed a vetting process that goes beyond a Google review.

Garzilla has welcomed 28 celebrity clients — including Gordon Ramsay, Jeremy Wade of River Monsters, and Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops — and has appeared in 30+ international television productions across Animal Planet, BBC, NHK Japan, ITV, and National Geographic.

4. Evaluate the Guide Team and Fleet

A single-guide operation can only serve so many clients, and availability disappears fast during peak season (April through September on the Trinity). A professional operation runs multiple boats and trained guides capable of delivering a consistent experience whether the owner is on the water or not.

This also matters for geographic coverage. Dallas-area clients and Houston-area clients have different optimal launch points. A qualified guide service understands this and staffs accordingly.

Garzilla Guide Service operates 7 boats with 8 experienced guides serving both the Dallas and Houston markets from Palestine, TX on the Trinity River.

5. Ask What Size Boats They Run

The Trinity River is not a calm lake. It runs with current, carries submerged debris, and can change conditions fast. A small jon boat or 14-foot aluminum hull that might work on a quiet pond is a liability on moving water — especially when you're fighting a 200-pound fish that can thrash a boat sideways in seconds.

Boat size directly affects safety, stability, and comfort. A guide running undersized equipment is cutting corners that matter when conditions get serious. Ask specifically: what is the boat length, and is it designed for river guiding?

Every Garzilla boat runs 20 to 22 feet — full-size river guide boats built to handle Trinity River conditions and provide a stable, safe platform for landing trophy-class alligator gar.

6. Check Reviews — and the Volume Behind Them

A 5.0 rating from 12 reviews means very little. What matters is a high rating sustained across hundreds of verified trips over multiple seasons.

Look for Google reviews specifically — they are harder to manipulate than platform-native reviews. Read the recent ones. Do they mention the guide by name? Do they describe specific fish, specific moments? Generic reviews ("great time, highly recommend") can be planted. Detailed, named reviews are harder to fake.

Garzilla carries 258+ Google reviews at 4.9 stars — representing years of real client experiences across every condition the Trinity River throws.

7. Confirm the Operation Is Catch-and-Release

Alligator gar are a slow-growing, long-lived species under increasing pressure across their range. Any reputable guide who depends on healthy gar populations for their livelihood practices catch-and-release — not because they're required to, but because they understand that killing trophy fish destroys the fishery.

If a guide offers "harvest" trips or isn't clear about their conservation stance, look elsewhere.

All Garzilla alligator gar trips are 100% catch-and-release .

8. Ask About Minimum Trip Duration

A six-hour minimum isn't arbitrary. Alligator gar behavior is tied to water temperature, tide phase, and time of day. Guides who offer two- or three-hour excursions are often chasing quick bookings, not optimal catches. Trophy alligator gar require patience, strategy, and time.

All Garzilla trips start at 6 hours minimum , with the option to extend. That's the baseline for doing this right.

The Bottom Line

Choosing a guide for alligator gar fishing is a decision that shapes the entire experience. The difference between a world-class trip and a disappointing one comes down to credentials you can verify: years on the water, certified records, documented client results, professional infrastructure, and a genuine conservation ethic.

If you're serious about catching a trophy alligator gar in Texas, these are the standards to hold every guide accountable to.

Book Your Trip with Garzilla Guide Service

Garzilla Guide Service is the #1 alligator gar guide service in the world, based in Palestine, TX on the Trinity River. Season runs April through September.

How Old Is an 8-Foot Alligator Gar? What TPWD Research Reveals About These Century-Old Fish

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:04:25 GMT

How old is a 8 foot alligator gar?

How Old Is an 8-Foot Alligator Gar? What TPWD Research Reveals About These Century-Old Fish

When you see an 8-foot alligator gar boatside, you are looking at a fish that was likely alive before your grandparents were born.

That is not poetic exaggeration. In 2024, scientists used laser ablation accelerator mass spectrometry to confirm what Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists had long suspected: alligator gar are a centenarian species . The largest documented fish in the species' history — the 327-pound world record caught in Mississippi in 2011 — was carbon dated to approximately 100 years old .

At Garzilla Guide Service, we have spent 19 seasons on the Trinity River. We have landed fish in every age class TPWD has studied. And as a sitting member of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee, the conservation of these slow-growing, long-lived fish is something our team thinks about every single day.

This is everything the latest TPWD research has taught us about alligator gar age, growth, and what it actually takes to grow one to 8 feet.

How TPWD Ages an Alligator Gar (And Why It's Brilliant)

Aging a fish that lives a century is harder than it sounds. The standard tool is the otolith — a small bony structure inside the fish's inner ear. Otoliths grow throughout the fish's life and form annual rings, exactly like a tree.

TPWD biologists pioneered the use of alligator gar otoliths starting with research published by David Buckmeier and his team in 2012. They validated otolith ages up to 31 years through direct comparison with known-age hatchery fish.

But here is where it gets brilliant. For older fish, the growth rings become harder to count accurately. So in 2019, TPWD's Dan Daugherty and his colleagues at the Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center in Mountain Home, Texas, pioneered a new approach: bomb radiocarbon dating.

Here is how it works.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the United States and Soviet Union conducted above-ground nuclear weapons tests. These tests released massive amounts of radioactive carbon-14 into the atmosphere. Every living thing on Earth absorbed this carbon — including every fish swimming in Texas rivers at that time.

By measuring the carbon-14 signature in the calcified center of an alligator gar's otolith, scientists can pinpoint the year that fish was born. A fish hatched in 1955 carries a different carbon signature than one hatched in 1965, and a completely different signature than one hatched before the testing ever began.

In 2020, Daugherty's team validated otolith aging in alligator gar up to 60-plus years using this method. In 2024, a follow-up study by Andrews, Daugherty, and colleagues pushed the technique even further using laser ablation. The result was the first scientific confirmation that alligator gar can reach 100 years or more .

When TPWD researchers carbon dated one large female from Texas, the result came back at exactly 100.5 years old. A fish older than the Texas oil boom.

How Long Does It Take to Reach 8 Feet?

This is where it gets interesting for trophy anglers.

Young alligator gar grow extraordinarily fast. TPWD research found that in the Trinity River specifically, age-0 fish (less than one year old) grow approximately 5.13 millimeters per day — among the fastest growth rates of any freshwater fish in North America. This rapid early growth is enabled by the gar's quick transition to eating other fish from a young age.

Within three years, a Trinity River alligator gar can reach three feet in length .

But after that, growth slows dramatically.

Based on the combined research published by TPWD and partner institutions, here is the approximate growth timeline for alligator gar in Texas waters:

Length Approximate Age 3 feet ~3 years 6 feet 20–30 years 7 feet ~40 years 8 feet 50–80+ years 8 feet 5 inches 95–100+ years (world record class) The slowdown is dramatic. A fish doubles in length from 3 feet to 6 feet, but that takes roughly ten times longer than the first three feet. Adding the next two feet — to reach 8 feet — can take another 30 to 50 years.

And reaching the absolute upper end of the species' size potential — around 8 feet 5 inches and 327 pounds — requires the better part of a century of survival in the river.

Why Most Trophy Alligator Gar Are Female

Here is something most anglers don't realize. TPWD research has confirmed that virtually all of the largest alligator gar in any given population are female.

Male alligator gar simply do not live as long or grow as large. Females take approximately 10 years on average to reach breeding age. And the spawning conditions they require — major flood events that fill river floodplains with shallow, vegetated water — do not occur every year.

This is part of why the population dynamics of alligator gar are so different from most fish people are familiar with. Removing a single 7-foot fish from a river is not the same as removing a single 7-foot bass. You are removing a female that may have spent 40 years preparing to spawn during the next major flood. And the next flood may not come for another 5 to 10 years.

What This Means for the Trinity River Population

TPWD's mark-recapture studies on the Trinity River — which were assisted by Texas fishing guide Kirk Kirkland — produced some of the most detailed population data ever collected for the species.

The 200-mile stretch of the Trinity River between Dallas and Lake Livingston was estimated to hold:

About 9,200 alligator gar 42 inches or longer
About 1,400 fish 78 inches (6.5 feet) or longer
An annual harvest rate of approximately 3–4 percent

Of those harvest events, 73 percent occur between April and July — coinciding with peak alligator gar fishing season. TPWD biologists determined that the sustainable annual harvest rate is approximately 5 percent of fish 42 inches and longer — meaning the current harvest is within sustainable bounds, but the margin is thin.

This is why Texas has maintained the one-fish-per-day regulation since 2009. It is also why our team practices catch and release on every trophy fish we put in front of our clients.

Why a 7-Foot Gar Deserves Extra Respect

When our team lands a 7-foot alligator gar with a client, we are handling a fish that was likely born when Eisenhower or Kennedy was in the White House. A fish that has survived four decades of floods, droughts, predators, and angling pressure on the Trinity River.

You can replace a 5-pound bass in two years. You cannot replace a 7-foot alligator gar in a human lifetime.

That is the case for treating every trophy alligator gar as a once-in-a-river fish. It is the case for catch and release as a baseline practice. It is the case for the careful handling, proper photography, and rapid release techniques our guides use on every trophy fish.

TPWD researchers have explained the science clearly: longevity in alligator gar appears to be an evolved trait, likely because the species has limited opportunities for successful reproduction in any given year. The fish lives a century because it has to. Reproductive success depends on flood events that may only occur a few times per decade. A fish that lives 100 years gets maybe 10 to 20 real shots at producing offspring across its entire life.

Take that fish out of the river, and you do not just lose one fish. You lose all the offspring it would have produced over the next 30 to 50 years of remaining life.

Why Garzilla Sits on the TPWD Advisory Committee

Bubba Bedre, founder of Garzilla Guide Service, sits as a member of the TPWD Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee . This is not a sales credential. It is recognition that 19 years of running professional alligator gar trips on the Trinity River produces a perspective that informs better fishery management.

Our team works alongside TPWD biologists because we want the Trinity River to be producing 8-foot, 100-year-old fish for the next century. That requires good science, sustainable regulations, and a guide community committed to conservation.

Garzilla also founded the Texas Gar Fishing Association — the industry body that promotes responsible alligator gar fishing across the state.

Catch a Trophy Gar — Then Release It

Our team has guided 41 IGFA World Record catches on the Trinity River. Many of those fish were 7 feet or longer. Every one of them swam back into the river to keep growing.

Our 258-plus five-star reviews are from clients who landed fish older than they are. They got the photo, the memory, the story for the rest of their life. And the fish kept living.

If you want to land an alligator gar that has been swimming through the Trinity since World War II, our team can give you a legitimate shot at it. We are running trips through September 2026 — peak gar fishing months.

�� Book Your Trinity River Trip →

Or call us at (903) 724-6888 . International clients: WhatsApp +1 903-724-6888 .

The 100-year-old fish are still out there. The science says so.

Garzilla Guide Service is the world's #1 alligator gar fishing guide service. 41 IGFA World Records. 28 celebrity clients. 258+ five-star reviews. Palestine, Texas. Established 2007. Visit garfish-texas.com to learn more.

The 251-Pound Trinity River Alligator Gar of 2026 — And Why It Won't Be the Last

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 04:14:20 GMT

A 251-pound alligator gar was landed on the Trinity River in April 2026. Here's why these fish exist, how big they get, and what it takes to land one.

The 251-Pound Trinity River Alligator Gar of 2026 — And Why It Won't Be the Last

In April 2026, an alligator gar weighing 251 pounds was landed on the Trinity River in east Texas. The catch made Yahoo News, was covered by the Houston Chronicle, and reminded the rest of the world what those of us who fish this water have known for nineteen years: the Trinity River is the greatest alligator gar fishery on earth.

Veteran Texas guide Kirk Kirkland was on the boat with angler Art Weston when the fish came up. It was a tremendous catch and a credit to both the angler and the guide team. But here is the part that did not make the press release: a 251-pound alligator gar is not unusual on the Trinity River. It is the rule, not the exception. Our team at Garzilla Guide Service has been landing fish in this class — and bigger — for nineteen consecutive seasons.

This post is not about who caught what. It is about why the Trinity River produces these fish, what the science says about how big they can actually get, and what it takes to land one yourself.

What happened on the Trinity in April 2026

The 251-pound fish was caught on a stretch of the Trinity that has produced trophy alligator gar for generations. Specific location details have not been publicly disclosed — and that is appropriate. Trinity River guides protect their water and their clients.

But the broad region is well known. The slow, deep, muddy water of the Trinity below Lake Livingston, plus the upper stretches south of Dallas, hold the highest concentrations of trophy-class alligator gar found anywhere in the world.

The 251 caught national press because of its size. But here is the context most articles missed:

The IGFA All-Tackle World Record for alligator gar is 327 pounds , set by Kenny Williams in 2011 on Lake Chotard, Mississippi
The Texas rod and reel state record is 279 pounds
A 251-pound fish is a legitimate trophy — top tier for the species — but not unprecedented

In our nineteen seasons on the Trinity, our team has landed multiple fish in the 200-to-250-pound class and set 41 IGFA World Records on or around this river. Our most recent records were set within the past two seasons.

Why the Trinity produces fish like this

Three things make the Trinity River the world's premier alligator gar water, and none of them are accidents.

The water itself

The Trinity is slow-moving, deep, and warm. It carries enormous loads of sediment, which keeps the water turbid year-round. Most freshwater predators struggle in low-oxygen, low-visibility water. Alligator gar evolved to thrive in it.

Their air-breathing swim bladder lets them survive in conditions that would kill catfish or bass. Their armored ganoid scales and ambush-predator instincts give them a competitive advantage in murky water that few other fish can match.

The food supply

The Trinity drainage holds massive populations of gizzard shad, common carp, smallmouth buffalo, and other rough fish that make up the alligator gar's primary diet. These are large, abundant, and energy-rich prey species.

A 200-pound gar eats the equivalent of a small dog every few days. The Trinity River supplies that food in volume.

The genetics

The alligator gar lineage on the Trinity is at least 157 million years old . The fish swimming through this water today are descended from gar that were present when dinosaurs ruled the earth. The species has not changed appreciably since the Late Jurassic period.

The Trinity River population has had millennia of stable, productive habitat to grow large fish. The genetic stock is exceptional.

Now combine those three factors. Slow, warm, low-oxygen water that excludes most predator competition. Abundant prey. A population of fish that has been growing here for as long as the river has existed. The result is a fishery that produces:

100-pound fish as the routine catch
150-pound fish most weeks during season
200-plus pound river monsters every single year

What does it take to land a trophy alligator gar?

A 251-pound alligator gar does not fight like a 50-pound bass scaled up. It fights with the muscle, leverage, and patience of an animal that has evolved over 157 million years to survive being attacked. The fight typically lasts 45 minutes to 2 hours. Some fish go longer.

The angler needs heavy tackle — usually rods rated for 80-to-130-pound line — and the discipline not to horse the fish too hard. The guide controls the boat, sets the strategy, and reads the fish's movements through the line.

Without a guide who knows the water, who has handled fish of this size before, and who has the right equipment on board, even an experienced angler has very low odds of converting a hookup into a landed fish.

That is not exaggeration. The Trinity River has dozens of stories of veteran anglers losing 200-pound fish at the boat because they fished alone, or with a guide unaccustomed to handling true trophy-class fish. The science of landing one of these animals is as developed as the science of trophy bass fishing — and just as easy to get wrong.

This is the part of trophy alligator gar fishing that does not get into press releases. The 251-pound fish was caught because the guide was experienced and the angler was capable. Without both, that fish swims away.

Why our team has 41 IGFA World Records

There is no luck in setting 41 IGFA World Records. There is no luck in landing 200-pound fish year after year. There is preparation, water knowledge, equipment, and judgment.

Our team — Bubba, Cody, Dalton, Lance, Justin, Evan, and Randy — has spent more time on the Trinity River chasing alligator gar than any other professional guide team in the world.

We have hosted Gordon Ramsay, Jeremy Wade, Matt Hughes, Sommer Ray , and 24 other celebrities for trips on this river. Our team has produced content for the BBC, National Geographic, Animal Planet, Fox News , and 25-plus more international TV productions. We have served clients from 172 countries .

This is not a sales pitch. It is the explanation for why our team has put more trophy fish in client hands than any other alligator gar guide service on earth. Experience and equipment compound over time. We have nineteen years of compound interest on alligator gar.

Could you catch a 200-pound alligator gar with our team?

Honestly: yes. Multiple of our clients land their first 100-pound gar on their first trip with us. A meaningful percentage of our seasonal trips produce fish in the 150-pound class. Our team has put multiple clients onto 200-pound gar — including international visitors who flew in specifically to attempt the catch.

Our success rate exists because we control every variable we can control. We use the right gear. We fish the right water. We pick our days. We choose the right time of year. And we adjust the strategy on the boat in real time based on what the fish are doing.

We can never guarantee a specific fish size. No honest guide can. But we can guarantee you will encounter and have legitimate shots at trophy alligator gar on every trip you take with us. That is what our 258 five-star reviews are telling you. That is what 19 years of work on this river has produced.

What's next for the Trinity River in 2026?

The 251-pound catch in April was the most publicized Trinity gar of 2026 so far. But our season runs April through September , and we are now in peak fishing months. Our boats are running 6 days a week. Trophy fish are coming over the gunwale every week. The Trinity has been producing 200-plus-pound fish every year for as long as anyone has been counting.

If you have been thinking about a trophy alligator gar trip — whether you read about it on Yahoo News, watched it on River Monsters, or just heard about the Trinity from a friend — there is no better time to come fish with our team.

We have spots available through September. Spots fill 6-to-8 weeks ahead during peak summer months.

�� Book Your Trinity River Trip →

Or call us at (903) 724-6888 . International clients: WhatsApp +1 903-724-6888.

The 251-pound fish in April was real. So is the next one.

Garzilla Guide Service is the world's #1 alligator gar fishing guide service. 41 IGFA World Records. 28 celebrity clients. 258+ five-star reviews. Palestine, Texas. Established 2007. Visit garfish-texas.com to learn more.

The Ultimate Guide to Alligator Gar Fishing on the Trinity River

Fri, 22 May 2026 01:30:19 GMT

The Ultimate Guide to Alligator Gar Fishing on the Trinity River

The Trinity River is the most productive alligator gar fishery on the planet. Stretching across East Texas from Dallas to the Gulf Coast, this ancient waterway is home to some of the largest freshwater fish in North America — and our team at Garzilla Guide Service has spent decades mastering every inch of it.

If you're looking for a trophy alligator gar guide on the Trinity River, here's everything you need to know before booking your trip.

Why the Trinity River Produces Record-Breaking Gar

The Trinity River's unique combination of warm, slow-moving water, abundant forage fish and miles of undisturbed habitat creates the perfect environment for alligator gar to grow to truly monstrous sizes. Fish exceeding 100 lbs are common. Our team regularly lands fish over 150 lbs, and we've helped clients land trophy gar over 200 lbs — including 41 IGFA World Record catches.

Unlike many Texas waterways that see heavy fishing pressure, significant stretches of the Trinity remain remote and wild. Our guides know exactly where the big fish hold at every time of year, every water level and every weather condition.

What to Expect on a Trinity River Gar Trip

Before You Go:

Fishing season runs April through September

Best months are June and July when gar are most active on the surface

All tackle, rods, reels and bait provided by our team

Texas fishing license required (purchase at tpwd.texas.gov)

On the Water:

Trips depart from multiple locations: Palestine, Huntsville, Livingston and Dallas area

Half-day and full-day trips available

Our custom jet boats reach remote stretches inaccessible to most anglers

100% success rate — our team guarantees you will encounter alligator gar

The Fish:

Average fish: 50–100 lbs

Trophy fish: 100–200+ lbs

World record potential fish present in the system

Prehistoric, powerful fighters that will test any angler

Why Garzilla is the Premier Trinity River Gar Guide

Our team has fished the Trinity River professionally since 2007. In that time we have:

Earned 41 IGFA World Records — more than any other gar guide service on earth

Hosted 28 celebrity clients — including Gordon Ramsay, Jeremy Wade (River Monsters) and Matt Hughes (UFC Hall of Famer)

Appeared on 30+ international TV programs — BBC, National Geographic, Animal Planet, ITV, Discovery and more

Guided clients from 172+ countries — our reputation brings anglers from around the world to the Trinity River

Maintained a 100% success rate — every client we take on the water encounters alligator gar

When River Monsters star Jeremy Wade wanted to film alligator gar for one of the most watched fishing shows in television history, he chose our team on the Trinity River. When Gordon Ramsay wanted a true Texas outdoor adventure, he called us. When international TV crews from Japan, Brazil, the UK and Germany want authentic Trinity River gar footage, they book Garzilla.

Our Trinity River Guide Team

Our team of professional, licensed guides has spent their careers on the Trinity River. Based out of Palestine, Texas, we cover the river from the Dallas area all the way down to Huntsville and Livingston. No matter which stretch of the Trinity is fishing best on your trip date, we have a guide stationed nearby who knows it intimately.

With multiple boats and guides operating across the full length of the river, no group is too large. We've accommodated solo anglers, family groups, corporate outings and international TV productions.

Book Your Trinity River Gar Trip

Ready to fish the Trinity River with the world's #1 alligator gar guide team?

Call: (903) 724-6888 Book Online: bookeo.com/garzilla Email: BubbaBedre@yahoo.com

Trips available April through September. Limited spots — book early for peak summer dates.

Garzilla Guide Service | Palestine, Texas | Est. 2007 | 41 IGFA World Records

Top Fishing Techniques to Boost Your Gar Fishing in Texas

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 01:14:26 GMT

Top Fishing Techniques to Boost Your Gar Fishing in Texas

Most anglers waste hours without landing a single gar in Texas waters. You know the frustration of watching those long, sharp fish slip away just as you think you’ve got them. This guide shares proven fishing techniques that will boost your gar fishing in Texas and sharpen your outdoor fishing skills for a true Texas fishing adventure. Learn more here.

Essential Gar Fishing Tips

Let's dive into some key strategies that will help you reel in those elusive gar. From choosing the right bait to mastering your casting technique, these tips are your ticket to a successful fishing day.

Effective Fishing Techniques

Catching gar calls for skill and patience. Start by using the right bait. Gar love live bait, so try using fish like shad or sunfish. Bait makes a huge difference.

Once you've got the bait, aim for a spot near the surface. Gar often swim just below the water's edge. Keep your line taut and be ready to set the hook the moment they bite. Remember, gar have tough mouths, so a strong hookset is essential.

Casting is another skill you need to master. Practice long casts to reach the deeper waters where gar like to linger. Short casts are useful too, especially near structures where gar hide. Having both techniques at your disposal increases your chances of success.

Enhancing Your Fishing Experience

The right equipment can enhance your day on the water. A sturdy rod and reel are crucial. Choose a medium-heavy rod for strength and flexibility. It should be long enough to give you the casting distance you'll need.

Your line should be strong too. Gar are fighters, and a weak line will break easily. Use a braided line—50-pound test is a good starting point.

Don't forget comfort. A long day on the water is easier with the right gear. Wear a hat for sun protection and bring plenty of water. A comfortable chair can be a great addition too.

Best Fishing Spots in Texas

Where you fish can be as important as how you fish. Texas offers some fantastic gar fishing locations that are worth exploring. The Trinity River is renowned for its large gar population. You might even see some true giants here!

Lake Livingston is another prime location. This lake is vast, with plenty of spots where gar like to hang out. Fishing here can be a real adventure, with beautiful views to enjoy as you cast your line.

Don't overlook smaller spots either. Local ponds and creeks often hide some great catches. Exploring these lesser-known areas can lead to surprising success.

By following these tips and choosing the right spots, you’re all set to boost your gar fishing success in Texas. Remember, the key is preparation and practice. Happy fishing! For more insights, check out this gar fishing guide.

Living Dinosaur : 7 Fascinating Facts About the Alligator Gar

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 22:48:44 GMT

Living Dinosaur : 7 Fascinating Facts About the Alligator Gar

Step aside, T-Rex. There’s another ancient predator still ruling the waters of North America. Lurking in the slow-moving rivers, swamps, and bayous from the Mississippi River basin to the Gulf Coast of Mexico is a fish that looks like it swam straight out of the Cretaceous period. Meet the alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula)—a magnificent, misunderstood, and truly fascinating creature.

With a long, broad snout reminiscent of an alligator and a body armored in diamond-shaped scales, the alligator gar is a true river monster. But beyond its intimidating appearance lies a story of incredible survival and unique adaptations. Let's dive into some of the most amazing facts about this living fossil.

1. They Are Genuine Living Fossils

When we say "living fossil," we mean it. The alligator gar's lineage stretches back over 157 million years into the Late Jurassic period. This means their ancestors were swimming in primeval waters when dinosaurs like Stegosaurus and Allosaurus roamed the Earth. They have changed very little over the eons, making them a stunning window into our planet's distant past.

2. They Are One of North America's Largest Freshwater Fish

The alligator gar is a giant. While many average around 5 to 6 feet, they can reach truly monstrous proportions. The official world record, caught in Mississippi's Lake Chotard in 2011, weighed a staggering 327 pounds and measured 8 feet, 5 inches long! It's estimated that this behemoth was between 90 and 100 years old. Their slow growth and long lifespan mean the largest individuals are often incredibly old.

3. Their Scales Are Natural Body Armor

Forget chainmail. Alligator gar are equipped with a nearly impenetrable coat of armor made of ganoid scales. These are not like the flexible scales of most modern fish. Ganoid scales are thick, interlocking, diamond-shaped plates made of a bone-like material covered in a hard, enamel-like substance called ganoine. This armor is so effective that it can even deflect small-caliber bullets and protect the gar from other predators. Historically, Native Americans used these durable scales as arrowheads and jewelry.

4. They Can Breathe Air

One of the alligator gar's most remarkable survival traits is its ability to breathe both air and water. While they have gills like any other fish, they also possess a highly vascularized swim bladder that connects to their throat and functions much like a primitive lung. This allows them to surface and gulp air, enabling them to survive in warm, stagnant, or low-oxygen waters where other fish would perish. This is a key adaptation that has helped them thrive for millions of years.

5. Two Rows of Teeth in a Powerful Jaw

The "alligator" in their name is well-earned. Their broad, powerful jaws are lined with not one, but two rows of sharp, needle-like teeth in their upper jaw. This formidable dental arrangement is perfect for their hunting style. As ambush predators, they lie perfectly still, waiting for unsuspecting prey—like fish, waterfowl, or small mammals—to swim by. With a lightning-fast whip of its head, the gar impales its victim with its teeth before swallowing it whole.

6. Their Eggs Are Poisonous to Mammals and Birds

As a defense mechanism to protect their future generations, the eggs (roe) of the alligator gar are toxic to most animals, including humans, mammals, and birds. The eggs contain an ichthyotoxin, a type of defensive poison. This clever evolutionary strategy ensures that would-be predators think twice before raiding a gar's nest, giving the vulnerable eggs a better chance of hatching.

7. They're Not the Monsters People Think

Despite their fearsome appearance, alligator gars are not a significant threat to humans. There are no confirmed cases of an alligator gar killing a person. They are generally shy and will avoid human interaction. While their size and teeth demand respect, they are often scapegoated for declines in sport fish populations. In reality, they are apex predators that play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy, balanced aquatic ecosystem by preying on weak or overabundant species.

A Survivor Worth Protecting

For decades, alligator gar were considered "trash fish" and were subject to unregulated fishing and even targeted eradication campaigns. Today, however, scientists and conservationists recognize their ecological importance and incredible history. These magnificent survivors have outlasted the dinosaurs, navigated ice ages, and adapted to an ever-changing world. The alligator gar isn't just a fish; it's a living relic, a testament to resilience, and a true dragon of our American waterways. Let's give this ancient marvel the respect it deserves.

How to catch big alligator gar. What you need to catch the big ones.

bubbabedre@yahoo.com (Bubba Bedre) — Sat, 27 Jun 2020 23:55:34 GMT

How to catch alligator gar. What you need to have to go gar fishing.

I am Bubba Bedre, a professional alligator gar guide for over 17 years. I get asked all the time what is the best way to catch alligator gar and how to rig up. So here is what you need to know to catch big alligator gar.

Equipment :

7.5 Mh rod spinning or casting reels will work

At Least 250 yards of 80-100lb. braid

2/0-4/0 trebal hook

90-150lb leader material , crimps, crimping pliers , 150lb swivel and optional slip float. ( link below to buy pre made leaders by us )

Bait: cut bait works the best use any non game species like carp, buffalo, sucker fish.

Rig your leaders up at least 30" long with a treble hook on one end and a heavy duty swivel on the other. you want cut your bait in at least 4"x4" chunks and fish on the bottom like for catfish but without a weight. Big gar tend to drop the bait if they sense or feel a big weight on it. If you have to use a sinker try to not go bigger the 2oz. Let the gar run for awhile before you set the hook.Visit the link below to order some pre made leaders by us. Good luck and FISHON ! Capt. Bubba Bedre

Get Your Hooks And Leaders Here

https://www.garfish-texas.com/store/

From then to now why I practice catch and release.

bubbabedre@yahoo.com (Bubba Bedre) — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 21:53:40 GMT

Why I practice catch and release and support conservation.

I grew up in the Trinity River bottom. My whole life has revolved around hunting and fishing there. I remember when you never even seen a boat on the river for weeks at time and the Alligator Gar were so thick in parts of the river it would seem like you could walk across them on the tops of there backs. Those days we killed every alligator gar we had the chance to kill. It was rumored that they eat all the game fish and we wanted to rid the river of them. One thing led to another. Now we have found a new way to kill them and it was fun and some what sporting. A cross between bow hunting and fishing. The sport took off fast. Wasn’t long everyone was wanting to come shoot one of these monster alligator with a bow. It wasn’t easy. You had to really know what you were doing to get up and close to shoot a big fish. Now the time is about 2007. The internet is growing and people from across the country and world are starting to hear rumors of this giant fresh water half alligator half fish creature that you can go kill in Texas. I now find myself guiding bowfishing trips. Having fun doing what I like to do and make a little pocket change to boot. That’s when we caught the attention of icon films from Europe. They contacted me and wanted to film the alligator gar with some guy named Jeremy Wade. I had never heard of this guy. So be it his show was a hit Success called River Monster , and aired on Animal Planet all over the world. Now we have anglers and bow fishermen alike traveling across the globe to see this prehistoric freak of a fish. Now I am now seeing other anglers, guides , and bow fishermen all over the once remote stretch of river. All trying to get a glimpse of this monster. Fishing holes that once held unbelievable amounts of fish are disappearing. I now find myself working harder to produce big fish for my guest. That’s when I realized and seen first hand the effect my hand played in the role of nature. I put my bow down and went catch and release only. I realized if we didn’t slow down on killing these really big fish that over time it would be to late. My days of running the river and not seeing a boat for weeks are now gone. The Trinity River has now turned into the most popular place in the world to go after alligator gar. I am seeing bowfishing tournaments bringing in people from across the county all set on killing as many of the big fish the law allows. I see numbers declining. Once good fishing spots with no fish there. I am traveling 30 miles of river just to keep my success rate as high as it use to be when I only had to fish 7 miles away from the boat ramp. I am seeing all this because I have seen what it was like before there was all of that. If you didn’t grow up on this stretch of river 40 years ago then you do not know what it used to be like. Now is the time we all need to set our differences aside. come together to protect the alligator gar for all likes of sportsmen. Texas is the best place in the world for trophy alligator gar. If we intend sustain enough big alligator gar for the growing population to enjoy then we must start with some kind of regulations
that benefit us all.

Capt. Bubba Bedre

Garzilla Guide Service

Congratulations Capt. Cody

bubbabedre@yahoo.com (Bubba Bedre) — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 02:29:06 GMT

Capt. Cody Cryer going on six years guiding for Garzilla Guide Service

Photo above of Captian Cody and Famous Japanese actor filming Tv show.

It has been brought to attention that we "sub contract beginner guides". Everyone sees the glory moments , but they don't see what happens behind the scenes. Let me introduce you to Cap. Cody. He has been guiding for us going on 6 years now and has earned my respect as a top alligator gar guide. Cody like myself has come from a bow fishing back ground that he has given up to pursue his passion of catch and release and conservation. With his past knowledge of bow fishing "knowing how to find fish" combined with all my knowledge of gar fishing has molded Cody into a exceptional guide that will deliver big fish in the worst of conditions. Capt Cody has been behind the scenes in almost all my major shows, Scouting location, catching bait ,helping with the film crew. I just want to say thank you for being part of our team.

Capt. Cody far right, Fred Lavitman center, Bubba Bedre left.
Filming Trevor Gowdys Monster Fish on Lake Livingston. We caught this fish in one of the holes Cody scouted for the show.

Cody with some newly weds that choose to go gar fishing on there honey moon.

The first Tv show Cody helped me with. He looked like a kid back then. We were filming Deadly 60 with Steve Backshall

Winter River Catfishing Tips

bubbabedre@yahoo.com (Bubba Bedre) — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 03:12:07 GMT

How to rig up and find big winter catfish in the river.

Winter catfishing is the best time of year to catch big fish. The nasty cold winter days with a over cast ,when you just want to sit in the house by the fireplace, that's when you need to be in your boat looking for a trophy catfish. I am gonna tell you in a short and quick way how to get out there and find them big fish in the winter. I specialize in river fishing so all my techniques are based off of that. lets start off with the rite kind of tackle and gear you will need. Now keep in mind we are targeting big fish so you need to go prepared with the rite gear to handle them. I normally use my same garfishing tackle for catfish but it is a bit of over kill. This is what you need to have.

7' Ugly Stick medium heavy rod
Abu Garcia 6500 c3 reel
High -Vis monofilament line at least 50lb
Clear monofilament line 80lb (for leader)
Trokar 8/0 and 10/0 Kahle hook
Flat bank no roll sinkers 6oz-10oz (depends on river current)
Barrel swivels 1/0
Rod holders
Garmin sonar with side vu (optional)

Catching bait is probably the hardest part of this and with all fishing. You want to use for bait something that is natural to the area you will be fishing. Here is a list of my favorite bait to use for river catfish.

Live bait (brim, perch,Blue gill,sun fish)
Gizzard shad
Cut bait (carp, Buffalo)

I like to use the Carolina rig. Run your main line to a swivel with your weight on the top of the swivel. running a couple beads between the weight and swivel is a good idea but not necessary. Run a 16-24" leader (80lb mono) to your Kahle hook. Now you are all set and ready to go fishing The next step is to get out there and find rite spot to start fishing. Ideally you want the water temperature in the mid 40s. That's when the fish will be heading to to there winter hold up holes. Normally a deep hole or bend in the river with bait close by. That's the key (bait close by). In the winter they don't like to move much but prefer to be in deep water so you want to find a deep hole in the river with bait near by. This is where the sonar comes in. What I like to do is scan the river looking for deep hole with structure in it while watching for bait. When you find your spot with all that in it keep your eye open on the sonar for a big fish on the bottom. you would then want to anchor up river from the structure and fan cast your baits back down river. Give it 30 minutes and if you don't get a bite go look for another spot and change your baits out. Keep moving don't stay in one place to long even if your seeing fish there. They just not might not be biting there but you go around the bend and they just may be hungry there. Hope this helps you out on your next winter fishing trip and good luck .

Rope Lure For Gar?

bubbabedre@yahoo.com (Bubba Bedre) — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 02:30:18 GMT

Rope lure for gar?

Did you know you can catch a gar with just a piece of rope with no hook? This technique only works on long nose gar , spotted gar and juvenile alligator gar. I have tested it on adult alligator gar with no success. They would take the bait but as soon as they could tell it was not something good to eat they would blow it out there mouth and the rope fibers would not get tangled in there teeth. The best way to fish rope lures for gar is by sight fishing, and by fly rod. You would want to cast you lure in front of the fish to get its attention then as the fish pursued the bait you would want to keep it just far enough in front of the fish so it can't smell it. If the gar ever gets close enough to nip the bait and tell its not something to eat then it will loose interest. What you want to do is keep teasing the gar tell it just explodes on it. Then you get them.

The best way to make a rope lure is out of 2-3" of nylon rope. Take the rope and burn one end so it don't fray. Then unravel the rope tell it gets reel fine. Have you ever had a sticker bur get tangled up in your shoe string or frayed piece of nylon rope? Well that's what you want your rope lure to be like. You want it to get tangled up in there teeth like a sticker bur. So next time your out fishing and run across a school of long nose gar cut you a Piece of rope from your anchor line and make a quick lure and try it out.

BEST BAIT FOR ALLIGATOR GAR

bubbabedre@yahoo.com (Bubba Bedre) — Sat, 23 Dec 2017 23:19:32 GMT

The best bait for alligator gar fishing.

Choosing the best bait for alligator gar and when to use it is key to a successful gar fishing trip. Our top choice for alligator gar are, common carp, gizzard shad, and mullet. Now when is the best time to use each bait? That all depends where you are fishing ,type of water, ether brackish , river ,or lakes. You will want to use the one that is present where your fishing and you know the fish are feeding on them. For example mullet will not do as good way up river where there is not any mullet as to using it where there are. Gizzard shad and carp work better in river and lakes. I like to use carp for river fishing due to the weight of the bait and it holds on the bottom better then a lighter piece of bait like shad. When fishing in a lake ether on the bottom or with a float I would choose whole shad. If you have any questions or suggestions on a topic just comment below. For proven gar fishing gear click here.

Best Hook for Gar?

bubbabedre@yahoo.com (Bubba Bedre) — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 04:04:04 GMT

Whats the best hook for alligator gar fishing?

Now that's a good question I get asked all the time. There are several different answers depending on the style of fishing and hook set you prefer. I am gonna tell you what works for me 99% of the time . Eagle Claw 974m hook In a 4/0 is my favorite go to hook any time. You can catch any size gar on that hook from 1lb to 300 it will land them all. Its a 2x hook so you can bend it if you get hung up and if you are practicing catch and release and they swallow the hook, it will dissolve in there system pretty quick. Try to stay away from the 4x and stainless hooks if your going to release the fish. UNTLL NEXTTIME TIGHT LINES

HOW FAR WE HAVE COME

bubbabedre@yahoo.com (Bubba Bedre) — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 03:40:04 GMT

We have come a long way since it all started.

I can remember 10 years ago when I decided to start fishing professionally. I was 32 years old, and There was only one other guide service offering catch and release alligator gar trips . Now look how much the sport has grown. There has got to be at least a dozen guides out there now. All popping up in the last 5 years . I posted my first gar fishing video to YouTube in 2008 and now its got over 1.3m views and here is the link to check that out. https://youtu.be/mil1pe_cF_U We have come a long way since them days. Every trip I am always exploring and trying new methods to catch the gar. I can say I have caught them with Snare lines using no hooks and even caught them on a plain piece of rope. if you got a idea on how we should try to catch one next leave us a comment. May be you idea will work. until next time Tight Lines

Alligator Gar Fishing Tips

Treble Hooks vs. J-Hooks for Alligator Gar: What the Research and 1,000s of Tagged Fish Actually Show

Controlled testing and TPWD tagging data from 1,000s of recaptured fish reveals why bronze treble hooks outperform J-hooks for catch-and-release alligator gar survival.

The TPWD Tagging Program: What Recaptures Tell Us

Controlled Testing: Why Treble Hooks Outperform J-Hooks on Gut-Hooked Gar

The Swim Bladder Problem: Why Throat Hooks Kill Fish

Practical Recommendations

Why This Matters for the Fishery

Book a Trip with Garzilla Guide Service

How to Catch Alligator Gar: Equipment, Rigs, Bait, and Technique

Rod, reel, leader, bait, hook-set technique, and water-reading tips from Bubba Bedre — 41+ years on the Trinity River and 41 IGFA World Records for alligator gar.

Understanding Alligator Gar Before You Fish

Rod and Reel Setup

Leader Setup

Best Bait for Alligator Gar

How to Rig and Present the Bait

Reading the Water

Setting the Hook

Fighting and Landing a Big Gar

When to Fish

Where to Catch Alligator Gar in Texas

Book a Trip with Garzilla Guide Service

The Best Time of Year to Catch Alligator Gar in Texas

Alligator gar fishing peaks April–September. Learn which months produce the biggest fish, the best action, and when June stands out as the #1 time to book.

The Short Answer: April Through September

April and May: The Season Opener

June: Prime Time Begins

July and August: Trophy Season

September: The Final Push

What About the Off-Season?

The Best Single Month to Book

Plan Your Trip with Garzilla Guide Service

How to Choose the Best Alligator Gar Fishing Guide in Texas

8 criteria to evaluate before you book an alligator gar guide in Texas — from IGFA records and boat size to reviews and catch-and-release policy.

1. Verify Actual Time on the Water

2. Look for Certified World Records

3. Demand Proof of Trophy-Class Clients

4. Evaluate the Guide Team and Fleet

5. Ask What Size Boats They Run

6. Check Reviews — and the Volume Behind Them

7. Confirm the Operation Is Catch-and-Release

8. Ask About Minimum Trip Duration

The Bottom Line

Book Your Trip with Garzilla Guide Service

How Old Is an 8-Foot Alligator Gar? What TPWD Research Reveals About These Century-Old Fish

How old is a 8 foot alligator gar?

How Old Is an 8-Foot Alligator Gar? What TPWD Research Reveals About These Century-Old Fish

How TPWD Ages an Alligator Gar (And Why It's Brilliant)

How Long Does It Take to Reach 8 Feet?

Why Most Trophy Alligator Gar Are Female

What This Means for the Trinity River Population

Why a 7-Foot Gar Deserves Extra Respect

Why Garzilla Sits on the TPWD Advisory Committee

Catch a Trophy Gar — Then Release It

The 251-Pound Trinity River Alligator Gar of 2026 — And Why It Won't Be the Last

A 251-pound alligator gar was landed on the Trinity River in April 2026. Here's why these fish exist, how big they get, and what it takes to land one.

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The 251-Pound Trinity River Alligator Gar of 2026 — And Why It Won't Be the Last

What happened on the Trinity in April 2026

Why the Trinity produces fish like this

The water itself

The food supply

The genetics

What does it take to land a trophy alligator gar?

Why our team has 41 IGFA World Records

Could you catch a 200-pound alligator gar with our team?

What's next for the Trinity River in 2026?

Garzilla Guide Service is the world's #1 alligator gar fishing guide service. 41 IGFA World Records. 28 celebrity clients. 258+ five-star reviews. Palestine, Texas. Established 2007. Visit garfish-texas.com to learn more.

The Ultimate Guide to Alligator Gar Fishing on the Trinity River

The Ultimate Guide to Alligator Gar Fishing on the Trinity River

Top Fishing Techniques to Boost Your Gar Fishing in Texas

Top Fishing Techniques to Boost Your Gar Fishing in Texas

Living Dinosaur : 7 Fascinating Facts About the Alligator Gar

Living Dinosaur : 7 Fascinating Facts About the Alligator Gar

Living Dinosaur : 7 Fascinating Facts About the Alligator Gar

1. They Are Genuine Living Fossils

2. They Are One of North America's Largest Freshwater Fish

3. Their Scales Are Natural Body Armor

4. They Can Breathe Air

5. Two Rows of Teeth in a Powerful Jaw