Anglers from Texas and across the nation set numerous fishing records in Texas waters via the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Angler Recognition Program in 2025.
The angler with the most 2025 catch awards was Charles Dewey of Universal City with 52. He averaged an incredible, one record per week, with most of his submissions being uncommonly targeted species that include common carp and smallmouth buffalo. The heaviest state record, broken in 2025, was an 884-pound bluefin tuna caught by David L. Essingler of Houston. The catch was recently certified as the new state record.
A phenomenal 207 water bodies contributed to the 2025 submissions.
Anglers set a combined 44 new state records and 470 waterbody records throughout the course of 2025. State and waterbody records are awarded in overall and junior angler categories for public and private freshwater fisheries along with saltwater fisheries in the state.
A few other notable catches were entered into the program in 2025:
- The smallest (lightest) new state record was a 0.50lb Warmouth caught by Killian Speers of Rockwall (youth, private waters).
- Trent Rickman of Fate landed a 6.66-pound Bowfin on a fly rod. This species has a hard mouth and teeth, making them difficult to hook and land, even for anglers with gear and tackle made to target them.
- A new species was added to the program’s State Records and thanks to Raymond Benton Pahlka of Houston, there is now a 14.48-pound Barrelfish weight record.
- A teenager from Florida, Julia Bernstein, traveled to Texas and earned 17 awards/records for five catches during her trip.
- 78 total species were submitted as largemouth bass topped the list with 81 entries followed by white bass (54) and white crappie
