Join us for the Statewide 5th Annual Matagorda Fishing Tournament on June 6, 2026, for a day of fun, competition, and conservation on the water!
We're chartering inshore guide boats to target redfish and trout for the tournament. Each guide boat will fit a team of 3 fishermen. Those who wish to use their own boat and fish without a guide can do so as well. Tickets cover your guide boat, bait, and post-tournament festivities.
The winning boat will be the team with the heaviest combined stringer of two (2) redfish and two (2) trout. Awards will also be given to the team who catches the redfish with the most spots. Finally, we will give a separate prize to one “Team Entry – No Guide” team who turns in the heaviest combined stringer of two (2) redfish and two (2) trout.
Want to guide yourself, but don't own a boat? You're in luck! Our friends at Ranch Water Rentals offer easy boat rentals. Check them out at www.ranchwaterrentals.com.
Don't have a team, but want to participate? Email us at sotw@stewardsofthewild.org.
Schedule of Events:
Friday evening: Informal happy hour at a TBA local spot in Matagorda.
Saturday morning: Fishing tournament from sunrise to 1 p.m.
Saturday afternoon: Post-tournament festivities including food, drink, and awards at Wayne's Bait Camp.
Tournament Rules:
1. All participants must be current members of SOTW.
2. All participants must have a valid Texas fishing license (saltwater).
2. Fishing guides may not enter fish they catch, only fish caught by SOTW members can be entered. If fishing with a guide provided by SOTW, you must meet the guide at the Matagorda Harbor by 6:30 a.m. CST on June 28. If you are not at the Matagorda Harbor by 6:30 a.m. CST and have not made the guide aware you will be late, the guide will be free to leave without you.
3. Maximum of three SOTW members per boat.
4. All fish must be weighed or in line to be weighed at Wayne's Bait Camp by 1:30 p.m. CST on June 6, 2026.
5. Only fish caught on June 6, 2026 between sunrise (6:29 a.m. CDT) and 1 p.m. CDT may be entered.
6. Boats must depart from the Matagorda Harbor.
7. Anglers may only fish Texas state waters.
8. Methods of capture are limited to all types of rod and reel fishing.
9. Any legal bait can be used.
10. All types of vessels and wading is allowed.
11. Any tournament participant not following TPWD rules and regulations will be disqualified.
12. The winning boat of the team competition will be determined by the total weight of two (2) redfish within the Texas slot and two (2) trout within the Texas slot.
13. The weighmaster will have final say on the eligibility of any fish brought in to weigh.
14. No pale, gilled, gutted, or mutilated fish will be weighted, a trimmed tail is considered mutilation.
15. In the event of a tie of weight:
1. The first tie breaker will be total length of all four (4) fish according to TPWD standards
2. The second tie breaker will be which team turned in their fish first
Refund Policy:
Cancel more than 30 days in advace of the event and receive a full refund. Cancel 3-4 weeks in advance of the event and receive a 50% refund. Cancel 1-2 weeks of the event and receive no refund.
Lodging:
You are responsible for booking your own lodging, however we have worked with our friends at LCRA Parks to reserve a block of bungalows and airstreams at the Matagorda Bay Nature Park right on the water!
- 1 night minimum
- Bungalows at discounted rate of $250/night (sleeps up to 6 or 8 people)
- Airstreams at discounted rate of $150/night (sleeps up to 4 people)
- Some options are pet-friendly
- Same rates apply if you would like to extend your stay or come in early!
- Reservations include kayaks
Contact the park directly to book your stay: 979-863-2603. Mention the June 6 Stewards of the Wild group booking.
Held sites for this event will be released on May 6, 2026.
