Texas anglers had a banner year in 2025: the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Angler Recognition Program processed 600 applications, resulting in 44 new state records and 470 waterbody records. Standouts included Charles Dewey with 52 awards and an 884‑pound Bluefin Tuna that topped the weight charts—proof that Texas waters deliver everything from trophy giants to surprising small-species records.

Beyond the bragging rights, the ARP helps confirm the success of fisheries management and encourages conservation-minded practices like length-only catch-and-release records. If you fish in Texas, this is a friendly nudge to learn the ARP rules, use certified scales, and document your best catches—your next trip might earn you a certificate and a spot in the program’s “Catch of the Month.”

Read the full TPWD news release here.