Garzilla Guide Service · Est. 2007
Alligator Gar Fishing on the Trinity River
The world's #1 gar fishery — fished by the team that holds 41 IGFA World Records on it.
41
IGFA World Records
28
Celebrity Clients
258 +
5-Star Reviews
30 +
TV Productions
19
Years on the River
The Water
Why the Trinity is the #1 gar river on earth
The Trinity is slow, muddy, and low on oxygen as it winds through East Texas — and that is exactly what alligator gar evolved to own. While other predators struggle in that water, gar gulp air straight from the surface through a specialized swim bladder. Murky current, stacked baitfish, deep holes, and warm summers make this the perfect monster habitat.
D Magazine's 2024 feature on gar fishing near Dallas put it plainly: the Trinity corridor between Dallas and Houston has produced more IGFA World Records for the species than any water body on earth. Our team holds 41 of them.
This is not a river where you hope for a trophy. It's a river where 100-pound fish are routine, 150-pounders come weekly in peak season, and 200+ pound river monsters surface every year.
More records than anywhere on earth
Where We Fish
Three stretches. One team.
The Trinity is too big to be fished by one guide from one ramp. Our seven-boat fleet and seven Texas-licensed guides cover the whole productive corridor, Dallas to Houston.
Upper Trinity
Dallas / DFW
60–90 min south of downtown Dallas
Farm country and reservoir tailwaters with deep holes that stack school-sized gar and the occasional 200-pound surprise. Worked by our Dallas-side guides.
Middle Trinity
Palestine
Our home water · Anderson County
Where Bubba is based and where most of our 41 records were set. The highest concentration of trophy-class gar on the river. International clients fish here.
Lower Trinity
Huntsville / Livingston
60–90 min north of Houston
Below Lake Livingston the river widens and slows, with massive holes and current breaks holding record-class fish year after year. Worked by our Houston-side guides.
What You'll Catch
The bigger they are, the deeper they hold
Most first-timers are surprised by what a normal day looks like. Here's what our guides see, year over year — and where in the river column the fish live.
Shallow flats & edges
60–100 lb
Routine catch
Bread-and-butter fish on a typical six-hour trip. Strong, prehistoric, photo-worthy. You'll likely land several.
Mid-column holes
100–150 lb
Trophy class
Show up most weeks in season. Plenty of our clients land their first triple-digit gar on their very first trip.
Deep river holes
150–200+ lb
Monster class
The fish that made the Trinity famous. Multiple 200+ pounders landed by our clients every year — the class our IGFA records came from.
We can't promise a specific size — no honest guide can. What we guarantee, and have for 19 years, is that you'll encounter and get real shots at trophy alligator gar on every trip. It's why we have 258+ five-star reviews.
When to Book
The Trinity season
Active gar season runs April through September. Here's how the year shapes up.
Apr–May
Spring
Water climbs into the 70s, fish aggressive after winter. Fewer crowds, easier dates. Great for first-timers.
Jun–Jul
Peak
Mid-80s water, maximum surface action, the year's highest big-fish concentrations. Books 6–8 weeks out.
Aug–Sep
Late
Levels drop and fish stack in deep holes. Excellent fishing with more room and easier last-minute dates.
Oct–Mar
Off-season
We switch to thermal hog hunting (year-round) and other adventures. Gar trips resume in April.
Credentials
Our Trinity River record
Nineteen years on one species and one river. No other guide team comes close on any of these.
41 IGFA World Records
More than any other gar guide service on earth.
28 Celebrity Clients
Gordon Ramsay, Jeremy Wade, Matt Hughes, Steve Backshall, Johnny Morris, and 23 more.
30+ TV Productions
BBC, National Geographic, Animal Planet, ITV, NHK Japan, River Monsters.
172+ Countries Served
International clients flown in from across the globe.
TPWD Advisory Committee
Bubba Bedre sits on the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee.
Texas Gar Fishing Association
Founded by Bubba Bedre — the industry body for the species.
"I've been on a lot of guided trips, but nothing compares to this. We landed a 200+ pound alligator gar on the Trinity. The guides were professional, patient, and knew exactly where to go."
Travis B. — Dallas, TX
★★★★★ 258+ verified Google reviews · 4.9 average
Common Questions
Trinity River FAQ
What makes the Trinity the best alligator gar water in the world?
Slow-moving water, deep holes, abundant baitfish, low dissolved oxygen, and warm summer temperatures create ideal habitat. More IGFA World Records for the species have come from the Trinity corridor between Dallas and Houston than any other water body on earth.
How big do alligator gar get on the Trinity?
60 to 100 pound fish are common on a typical six-hour trip. Trophy fish in the 100 to 150 pound class appear most weeks during the April through September season. Fish over 200 pounds are landed every year — including the catches that produced many of our 41 IGFA records.
When is the best time to fish the Trinity?
April through September. June and July are peak — surface activity is highest, big fish are most concentrated, water temperatures are ideal. Summer trips fill up 6 to 8 weeks in advance.
Where do you launch on the Trinity?
We use multiple access points depending on which stretch is producing and which city you're coming from. Dallas-area clients meet us 60 to 90 minutes from downtown. Houston-area clients meet on the lower Trinity. International clients usually fish our home water near Palestine. Your exact meeting point is confirmed at booking.
Do I need a Texas fishing license?
Yes. Texas residents and visitors aged 17 and older need a valid Texas freshwater fishing license. Buy one online at tpwd.texas.gov — sold by the day, week, or year.
Can I keep an alligator gar?
Texas law allows one alligator gar per day per angler caught with rod and reel. We're catch-and-release by preference, since these fish are slow-growing and live 50+ years, but we accommodate trophy retention requests within state regulations.
Are alligator gar dangerous?
No. Alligator gar are not dangerous to people. They have impressive teeth and serious size, but they're slow-moving ambush predators that target fish, birds, and small mammals — not anglers. Our guides handle every fish boatside and teach proper technique on your trip.
Do you fish the Trinity year-round?
The Trinity River alligator gar season is April through September. Outside that window we offer thermal hog hunting (year-round) and other adventures.
How far is the Trinity from Dallas or Houston?
The Trinity runs through both metros. Most Dallas-area clients drive 60–90 minutes south to reach productive gar water. Houston-area clients drive 60–90 minutes north to the Livingston corridor.
Is the Trinity River safe to fish?
On our boats with our guides, yes. We use professionally maintained aluminum boats built for big-river work, our captains are Texas-licensed, and we carry full safety gear. We monitor water conditions daily and rebook trips when river levels or weather warrant.
Book Your Trip
Ready to fish the Trinity?
Peak summer dates fill 6–8 weeks ahead. Earlier is better — tell us which city you're coming from and we'll put you on the right stretch.
Reservations (903) 724-6888 · BubbaBedre@yahoo.com · WhatsApp