Garzilla Guide Service · Palestine, Texas
Alligator Gar Tournaments
Big Fish · Real Money · 100% Catch & Release
The Garzilla tournament series is the premier alligator gar fishing tournament circuit in Texas — run by the guide team behind 41 IGFA World Records and the #1 alligator gar guide service in the world. Three events, one obsession: the biggest gar the water can give up. Pick a tournament below to see the format, rules, and results.
The Series
Choose Your Tournament
Garzilla Classic
A 48-hour, all-Texas, rod-and-reel sprint for alligator gar. The event that started the series — see the inaugural leaderboard and how it's scored.
Garzilla Grand Slam
The multi-species challenge of the Garzilla series — built to reward the most complete angler, not just the single biggest fish. Full format announcing soon.
Garzilla World Championship
The main event. The biggest names in alligator gar fishing, the biggest pool, and the title of world champion on the line — hosted on the water that makes world records.
The Garzilla Classic
The 48-Hour All-Texas Alligator Gar Blitz
The Garzilla Classic is a 48-hour, 100% catch-and-release alligator gar tournament fished across public Texas waters. Teams score points for every approved gar by length — the longer the fish, the more it's worth — and 100% of the pool is paid out in cash across the top three teams. Here's how the inaugural field finished.
Inaugural Leaderboard
How The Classic Works
Fish 48 hours
7:00 PM to 7:00 PM — two days and two nights on any public Texas water. Rod and reel only, no jug lines, no bowfishing.
App scoring
Every gar is measured on the official tape, photographed, and logged in the Garzilla Classic app for official approval.
Points, then freedom
Longer gar score more. Highest total at the buzzer wins 60% of the cash pool — and every fish is released alive.
The Garzilla Grand Slam
Dates To Be Determined
The Garzilla Grand Slam is the series' multi-species test — built to reward the anglers who can put together a complete slam across Texas's biggest freshwater fish, not just land one giant. It's the tournament for the all-around angler. Format, dates, entry, and payout are being finalized; this page will fill in the moment they're locked.
Be First To Know
Dates are announced here and in the Garzilla Guide Service Facebook group.
Garzilla World Championship
Dates To Be Determined
The Garzilla World Championship is the crown of the series — the biggest field, the biggest pool, and the title of world champion alligator gar team on the line. Hosted on the Texas waters that produce world-record fish, by the #1 alligator gar guide service in the world. Format, qualification path, dates, and prize pool are being finalized and will be posted here as they're set.
Be First To Know
Dates are announced here and in the Garzilla Guide Service Facebook group.
Questions
Tournament FAQ
What alligator gar tournaments does Garzilla host?
Garzilla Guide Service hosts the Garzilla alligator gar tournament series in Texas: the Garzilla Classic, a 48-hour catch-and-release blitz; the Garzilla Grand Slam, a multi-species challenge; and the Garzilla World Championship, the series' main event. All three are 100% catch, photo, and release.
Who won the first Garzilla Classic?
Team River Daddy won the inaugural Garzilla Classic with 550 points on three approved alligator gar, including the tournament's longest fish at 90 inches. Big Girls finished second with 375 points on seven approved gar, and Team Garzilla finished third with 25 points.
Are the tournaments catch and release?
Yes. Every event in the Garzilla series is 100% catch, photo, and release. Gar are measured, photographed on the official tape, submitted for approval, and returned to the water alive. Alligator gar take decades to reach trophy size, so releasing them is why Texas waters keep producing giants.
Where are the Garzilla tournaments held?
The series is hosted by Garzilla Guide Service out of Palestine, Texas, and fished across public Texas waters including the Trinity River, lakes, and bayous. Garzilla is the #1 alligator gar guide service in the world, with 41 IGFA World Records.
Do I need my own boat to enter?
No. Fish from your own boat, or reserve a guided team boat from the Garzilla fleet of seven boats with a licensed captain who knows this water. Guided boats are limited — reserve early at (903) 724-6888.
When are the next Garzilla tournaments?
Dates for the Garzilla Classic, Grand Slam, and World Championship are posted here and on the Garzilla Guide Service Facebook page as soon as they're set. Call (903) 724-6888 to get on the entry list first.
Fish The River That Makes The Records
Garzilla Guide Service — the #1 alligator gar guide service in the world. 41 IGFA World Records. Based in Palestine, Texas. Trips start at 6 hours.