HOME BASE
Alligator Gar Fishing in Palestine, Texas
I grew up in the Trinity River bottom. Fishing this water since age 10 — over 41 years on this river.
Book Online Now →Welcome to Palestine, Texas
Tucked into the Piney Woods of East Texas along the Trinity River, Palestine is a historic small town with a walkable downtown, a famous vintage railroad, and some of the best small-town hospitality in the state. It's also home to Garzilla Guide Service — which means a trip here isn't just a fishing charter, it's a full East Texas getaway.
Why Palestine Produces the World's Biggest Gar
The stretch of Trinity River running through Anderson County near Palestine is not just the best alligator gar water in Texas. It is the best alligator gar water on earth.
"I know this because I have fished it since I was 10 years old. I am 51 now. I grew up in the Trinity River bottom. I remember when you never saw a boat on this river for weeks at a time and the alligator gar were so thick in parts you could almost walk across them on the tops of their backs." — Bubba Bedre
The professional guiding started 19 years ago. The knowledge started decades before that. No guide can learn this water in a year, or five years, or ten. The knowledge that produces IGFA World Records is built across a lifetime of days on the same river.
The middle Trinity near Palestine is slow, deep, and warm — exactly what alligator gar evolved for over 157 million years. TPWD research estimates this Trinity corridor holds approximately 9,200 alligator gar 42 inches or longer, and 1,400 fish 78 inches or longer. The concentration of trophy-class fish in the middle stretch near Anderson County is higher than any other reach of the river.
Book Your Palestine Trip →
Palestine From Every Direction
Palestine sits at the center of the world's premier alligator gar fishery. Here's how far you are from trophy water:
~2 Hours Southeast
Take US-175 or TX-19 south. Most Dallas clients leave by 4:30 AM and are on the water before 7. Palestine is the closest world-class gar water to Dallas that actually produces IGFA records.
Dallas Trip Details →~2.5 Hours North
Take US-287 north through Crockett or I-45 north through Huntsville. Houston clients who want to fish Garzilla's home water drive up the night before or leave early morning.
Houston Trip Details →DFW or IAH → Palestine
Airport pickup can be arranged from Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) or Houston Intercontinental (IAH). Clients from 172+ countries fly in specifically to fish the middle Trinity near Palestine. We handle everything — airport, lodging, launch.
WhatsApp +1 903-724-6888 →Find Your Way to Palestine
Garzilla, your lodging, dinner at Nuna's, and the Texas State Railroad depot are all within a few minutes of each other in and around Palestine.
Trophy Sizes Near Palestine
The middle Trinity near Anderson County produces the highest concentration of trophy-class gar on the river. Here's what our guides see year after year on this specific stretch:
Bread-and-butter fish on a typical six-hour day near Palestine. Powerful, prehistoric, and photo-worthy. Most clients land several in a full day.
Shows up most weeks during the season. These are the fish that made the middle Trinity famous and brought film crews from BBC, National Geographic, and River Monsters to Palestine.
The fish that produce IGFA World Records. Our team has landed dozens of 200+ pound alligator gar near Palestine — the reason clients fly in from 172 countries.
19 Years. One River. 41 IGFA World Records.
Every record our team has ever set came from this water. Here's why no other guide can match what we've built here.
Bubba Bedre started fishing the Trinity River at age 10. At 51 years old, he's been on this specific water for over four decades — and guided it professionally for 19 of those years.
More than any other guide team on the Trinity River or anywhere else in the world — all set on this specific stretch of water near Palestine.
The world's most famous chef chose our home water. So did Jeremy Wade, Matt Hughes, Sommer Ray, Robson Green, Steve Backshall, and 22 more global celebrities.
BBC, National Geographic, Animal Planet, NHK Japan, Fox News, and River Monsters with Jeremy Wade — most filmed on or near the Trinity near Palestine.
Clients have flown into DFW and IAH from six continents specifically to fish the middle Trinity near Palestine — because this is where the records live.
Bubba Bedre sits on the body that sets management policy for the Trinity River fishery — the same water he guides on every week of the season.
Founded by Bubba Bedre and headquartered in Palestine — the industry organization representing responsible alligator gar fishing across Texas.
What Clients Say
"I have been on a lot of guided fishing trips but nothing compares to this. We landed a 200+ lb alligator gar on the Trinity River. The guides were professional, patient and knew exactly where to go. I will be back every year."
— Travis B., Dallas, TX"Worth every penny and then some. Our guide knew the river inside and out. We caught fish within the first 30 minutes. If you want to catch a true Texas monster, this is the only guide service you need to call."
— Mike & Derrick C., Houston, TXWhere to Stay in Palestine, TX
Palestine has solid lodging options within 10–20 minutes of our primary launch areas. Many international clients run two-day trips — drive down from Dallas or fly into Houston, fish a full day near Palestine, stay overnight, and fish again the next morning before heading home. Here's where Garzilla clients stay. Please contact each property directly to check availability and book.
Sabor a Pasión — Estate & Vineyard
A 25-acre private estate just 5 minutes from downtown Palestine, created by award-winning chef Simon Webster — our top recommendation for VIP trip clients. Sabor a Pasión also lists Garzilla directly as their recommended fishing and hunting package.
- 6 private cottages + 2 estate bedrooms, private baths, queen beds
- Onsite Restaurant Aubergine — weekly-changing menu, wood-fired pizza nights (BYOB)
- Reservation-only
📞 (903) 729-9500 | ✉️ simon@saborapasion.com
Visit saborapasion.com →
Dead Cat Ranch
A 1,200-acre working ranch offering private cabins, an Airstream, and a full bunkhouse for larger groups — plus ATV trails, a private fishing pond, and clay shooting. Dead Cat Ranch also lists Garzilla's alligator gar fishing and hog hunts as a recommended local activity.
- Texas Hideaway Cabin (sleeps 4), Bunkhouse (sleeps up to 20), Airstream campers
- Fishing pond, ATV/UTV trails, pool and hot tub, archery, ax throwing, horseback riding
- 4.9–5.0 stars across Airbnb, Yelp, and Google
📞 (903) 372-0728
Visit deadcatranchtx.com →
Hampton Inn Palestine
Reliable, comfortable rooms with a Garzilla corporate rate.
- Mention "Bubba Bedre's Tours" when booking
- Or call direct for reservations
📞 (903) 723-0016
Visit Hampton Inn Palestine →
The Redlands Hotel
A historic boutique hotel right in the heart of downtown Palestine — 16 suites, onsite dining at the Queen St Grille, and easy walking access to Main Street shops and the Texas State Railroad depot.
- 16 suites, from single-queen rooms to two-bedroom/two-bath options
- Onsite Queen St Grille — casual dining and cocktail bar, open 6 days a week
- Rates $169–$245/night
📞 (903) 729-2345
Visit theredlandshotel.com →These are properties our clients have stayed at and recommend. Sabor a Pasión and Dead Cat Ranch both list Garzilla directly on their own websites as a recommended local activity. Please contact each property directly for current rates, availability, and reservations.
Area Attractions Near Palestine, TX
Make a full day — or weekend — of your trip. Here are a couple of local favorites Garzilla recommends around Palestine.
Nuna's Cajun
Authentic Cajun and Creole seafood in a lively, casual setting — a local favorite for crawfish, gumbo, boudin, and live music on weekends. A great way to cap off a day on the water.
- Live crawfish, gumbo, boudin, fried seafood, po'boys
- Live music on Saturdays
- Open Friday–Saturday, 4:00 PM–10:00 PM
📞 (903) 723-6862
Visit nunascajunpalestinetx.com →Texas State Railroad
The Official Railroad of Texas — a scenic 4-hour, 50-mile roundtrip excursion on vintage steam and diesel locomotives through the Piney Woods, departing right from the historic Palestine depot.
- 4-hour roundtrip through the East Texas Piney Woods
- Runs seasonally, plus special event trains year-round
- Departs from the historic Palestine Rail Depot
📞 (855) 632-7729
Visit texasstaterailroad.net →Palestine FAQ
Is Palestine, TX really where Garzilla Guide Service is based?
Yes. Palestine is home base. Bubba Bedre was born and raised in Anderson County and has fished the Trinity River his entire life — he is 51 years old. Our Palestine operation is not a satellite office — it is where the world records were set, where the celebrities fished, and where international clients fly in specifically to fish.
Why does the Trinity near Palestine produce so many IGFA World Records?
The middle Trinity near Anderson County combines the ideal mix of slow current, deep structure, warm water, and abundant prey that alligator gar thrive in. Add 19 years of guide knowledge on this specific stretch, and you have the recipe for world-record production. Our 41 records are not luck — they're the result of decades of focus on one river.
Can I arrange airport pickup from Dallas or Houston?
Yes. Airport pickup can be arranged from Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) and Houston Intercontinental (IAH). Contact us when booking at BubbaBedre@yahoo.com or reach us directly on WhatsApp at +1 903-724-6888.
What is the best time of year to fish the Trinity near Palestine?
Our season runs April through September. Peak months are June and July — water temperatures reach the high 80s, surface activity peaks, and trophy-class fish are most concentrated in the deep holes we fish. June and July weekends book 6–8 weeks in advance.
How many guides work out of Palestine?
Bubba Bedre personally guides from Palestine and is the guide for VIP, celebrity, and media trips. Our full team of seven guides covers the entire Trinity corridor from Dallas to Houston — with two to four guides working the middle Trinity near Palestine on any given week of the season.
Is there lodging near your Palestine launch points?
Yes. Garzilla clients typically stay at Sabor a Pasión (a VIP private estate 5 minutes from downtown), Dead Cat Ranch (a 1,200-acre working ranch with cabins and an Airstream), The Redlands Hotel (a historic boutique hotel downtown), or the Hampton Inn Palestine (budget-friendly, with a Garzilla corporate rate — mention "Bubba Bedre's Tours"). Many international clients run two-day trips: fish a full day near Palestine, stay overnight, and fish again the next morning before heading home.
Can I bring a large group to fish out of Palestine?
Yes. Our 7-boat fleet handles groups of any size. Multiple boats, multiple guides, same day — all coordinated from our Palestine base. Corporate groups, bachelor parties, and international tour groups have all run multi-boat days near Palestine with our team. Call (903) 724-6888 to plan your group trip.
Do I need a Texas fishing license to fish near Palestine?
Yes. All anglers aged 17 and older need a valid Texas freshwater fishing license. Purchase one online at tpwd.texas.gov before your trip — day licenses are available so you do not need an annual license.
Book the Home Water Trip
You are not booking a generic Texas fishing trip. You are booking 19 years of knowledge on a specific stretch of river that has produced 41 IGFA World Records. Peak season spots — April through September — fill fast.
Book Online Now →