Palestine, Texas
903-724-6888
BubbaBedre@yahoo.com
The world's #1 gar fishery — with the world's #1 guide team.
The Trinity is a slow-moving, muddy, low-oxygen river running through east Texas — and that's exactly what alligator gar evolved to thrive in. While other freshwater predators struggle in low-oxygen water, alligator gar breathe air directly from the surface using a specialized swim bladder. The murky water, abundant baitfish, deep holes, and warm summer temperatures make the Trinity the perfect predator environment.
D Magazine's 2024 feature on alligator gar fishing near Dallas confirmed it: the Trinity River corridor between Dallas and Houston has produced more IGFA World Records for the species than any other water body on earth. Our team holds 41 of those records.
This is not a river where you hope to catch a trophy. This is a river where 100-pound fish are routine, 150-pound fish are landed weekly during peak season, and 200+ pound river monsters surface every year.
The Trinity is too big and too varied to be fished by one guide from one launch. Our seven-boat fleet and seven Texas-licensed guides cover the entire productive corridor — from Dallas to Houston.
Farm country and reservoir systems with deep holes that hold school-sized gar and the occasional 200+ pound surprise. Our Dallas-area guides — Bubba, Evan, and Randy — work this stretch and meet clients 60 to 90 minutes from downtown Dallas.
Dallas Trip Details →Our home water. Bubba is based here, and most of our 41 IGFA records were set on this stretch. Slow, deep, and the highest concentration of trophy-class gar of any reach on the river. International clients typically fish here.
Meet Our Guides →Below Lake Livingston the Trinity widens and slows further, with massive holes and seasonal current breaks holding record-class fish year after year. Our Houston-area guides — Cody, Dalton, Lance, and Justin — work this stretch.
Houston Trip Details →Most first-time visitors are surprised by what a normal day on the Trinity actually looks like. Here is what our guides see year over year.
Bread-and-butter fish on a typical six-hour Trinity trip. Strong, prehistoric, photo-worthy. You'll likely land several in a day.
Show up most weeks during the April through September season. Many of our clients land their first triple-digit gar on their first trip with us.
The fish that made the Trinity famous. Multiple 200+ pound alligator gar landed by our clients every year. Our IGFA records were set with fish in this class.
We cannot guarantee a specific size — no honest guide can. What we can guarantee, and have for 19 years, is that you will encounter and have legitimate shots at trophy alligator gar on every trip. That is why we have 258+ five-star reviews.
Active gar season runs April through September. Within that window, here is how the year shapes up.
Water climbs into the 70s. Fish are aggressive after winter. Fewer crowds, easier booking. Great for first-time visitors.
Water hits the mid-80s. Maximum surface activity. Highest big-fish concentrations of the year. Books up 6–8 weeks in advance.
Water levels drop, fish congregate in deeper holes. Excellent fishing with more space and easier last-minute booking.
Our team transitions to thermal hog hunting (year-round) and other adventures. Gar trips resume in April.
Nineteen years of focus on one species and one river system. No other guide team comes close on any of these measures.
"I have been on a lot of guided fishing trips but nothing compares to this. We landed a 200+ pound alligator gar on the Trinity River. The guides were professional, patient, and knew exactly where to go."
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.
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.
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.
We use multiple access points along the river depending on which stretch is producing and which city you are coming from. Dallas-area clients meet our team 60 to 90 minutes from downtown. Houston-area clients meet on the lower Trinity. International clients usually fish our home water near Palestine. Exact meeting point is confirmed at booking.
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.
Texas law allows one alligator gar per day per angler caught with rod and reel. We are catch-and-release by preference — these fish are slow-growing and live 50+ years — but we accommodate trophy retention requests within state regulations.
No. Alligator gar are not dangerous to people. They have impressive teeth and serious size, but they are 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.
The Trinity River alligator gar season is April through September. Outside that window we offer thermal hog hunting (year-round) and other adventures.
The Trinity runs through both metros. Most Dallas-area clients drive 60–90 minutes south to reach productive Trinity gar water. Houston-area clients drive 60–90 minutes north to the Livingston corridor.
On our boats with our guides, yes. We use professionally maintained aluminum boats designed 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.
Spots fill up 6 to 8 weeks ahead during peak season. Earlier is better. Limited spots available — our team is ready to build your perfect trip.