Houston's
Closest Shot at a
200-Pound Monster — Alligator Gar Fishing on the Trinity River —
Skip the bay. Skip the bass boat. Two hours north of Houston, the Trinity River holds some of the largest freshwater fish on the planet — and Bubba Bedre puts you on them. Guaranteed.
🦖 Book Your Trip Why Houston Anglers
Drive North to Fish With Us
Houston's got Galveston Bay. We've got something nobody else does — a 100-mile stretch of the Trinity River holding the densest population of trophy-sized alligator gar in the world.
Two Hours from Downtown Houston
Our home base in Elkhart, Texas is a straight shot up I-45 from Houston — most clients leave Houston before sunup and have a rod in their hand before 9 AM. We also run trips out of Livingston, Huntsville, and Palestine, putting us inside a 90-minute drive for The Woodlands, Conroe, and Spring residents.
While Buffalo Bayou holds the occasional gar, you'll never see what the Trinity produces. We're talking fish older than your grandfather — prehistoric, armor-plated, 7-foot dinosaurs that have lived in these waters for 100 million years.
Built for the Houston Angler
Whether you're a saltwater veteran from Kemah looking for the freshwater fight of your life, a corporate group from the Galleria wanting a once-in-a-lifetime experience, or a dad in Cypress who wants to put his kid on a fish they'll never forget — we run every trip the same way: hard work, big fish, no excuses.
What Houston Doesn't Have
- The largest concentration of 100+ lb alligator gar in the world
- A 100-mile stretch of the Trinity River accessible only by guided boat
- A captain who has caught more world-record gar than any guide on Earth
- The exact river featured on Animal Planet's River Monsters with Jeremy Wade
- Catch-and-release rod & reel angling with bronze hooks — TPWD-approved 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.
As Seen on River Monsters
Featured by Jeremy Wade on Animal Planet's River Monsters — the episode that put alligator gar on the worldwide 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. Period.
Largest Fleet in Texas
Seven custom shallow-water boats and a team of veteran guides operating across the Trinity, Brazos, and beyond — between Dallas and Houston.
Founder of TX Gar Association
Bubba founded the Texas Gar Fishing Association and serves on the Freshwater Fishery Advisory Committee for Texas Parks & Wildlife.
Clients From Every Continent
Anglers fly to Houston from Australia, Germany, the UK, Japan and beyond to fish with us. We know how to make a trip feel worth the trip.
What to Expect
On a Houston-Area Trip
From the moment you roll into camp, the goal is one thing: putting you tight on a monster.
Meet at the Ramp
Pull up to our meet point in Palestine, Livingston, or Huntsville (we'll send you exact directions). Most Houston clients hit the road at 4:30–5:00 AM to meet the bite. Coffee's hot, the boat's ready.
Run the River
You'll fish out of a custom shallow-water SeaArk or aluminum jet boat built specifically for the Trinity. We'll run as far as we need to — sometimes 30 miles — to put you on active fish.
The Setup
Cut smallmouth buffalo or carp on a 3/0 bronze treble. Strong braid, steel leader, large slip-cork drifting in the current. All gear is provided. Live bait included.
The Hit
You'll know it when it happens. The reel screams. The cork disappears. We let her run, eat, and turn — then you bow up and set the hook into 150 pounds of pure muscle and bone.
The Fight
30 minutes. An hour. Sometimes longer. These fish don't quit, and neither do we. Expect arm-burning runs, head-shakes that rattle the boat, and the most physical freshwater fight of your life.
Photos & Release
Every fish is photographed and released alive. We use conservation-grade gear (bronze hooks, proper revival technique) because we want these monsters here for your kids and grandkids.
Houston Trip Packages
Three ways to chase a monster. Call for exact pricing — rates vary by season, group size, and location.
Half-Day Adventure
6 Hours · 1–3 Anglers
- ✓ Trophy alligator gar guaranteed
- ✓ All rods, reels, tackle, bait provided
- ✓ Trinity River — closest to Houston
- ✓ Photos included
- ✓ Best for first-timers & families
Full-Day Trophy Hunt
8 Hours · 1–4 Anglers
- ✓ Maximum hours on the water
- ✓ Best shot at 150+ lb fish
- ✓ Lunch on the river included
- ✓ Professional photos
- ✓ Most-booked option for Houston clients
VIP Trophy Package
Multi-Day · Lodging Included
- ✓ Lodging on the river
- ✓ All meals included
- ✓ Best shot at a 200+ lb monster
- ✓ Professionally edited trip video
- ✓ For serious trophy hunters only
What Houston Anglers Say
"My family and I had the pleasure of fishing with Bubba and his 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."
"The fish are awesome and huge, second largest freshwater fish! As well as the gar speak for themselves. MUST DO FOR ANY SERIOUS FISHERMAN. Thanks for the memories and great trip. Will be seeing you again."
"Our trip 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."
Houston Angler FAQ
Stop Reading.
Start Fishing.
Trips book up fast — especially weekends in spring and summer. If you're serious about putting a hand on a 100+ pound river monster this year, get on the calendar today.