TYLER, Texas — We always hear fish tales about the one that got away. But in this week's Hooked On East Texas, we focus on the ones that didn't and now they're earning anglers young and younger some big recognition.
The littlest angler had the biggest catches in Texas in 2023. He’s 6-year-old Ernst Toepfer.
Toepfer has a book full of records and now he is reeling in the recognition from the Texas Angler Recognition Program.
Grace Simms is the program coordinator for the Texas Angler Recognition Program.
"He just became the youngest elite angler in program history by earning his saltwater elite angler," Simms said.
Toepfer caught five different saltwater species, including an almost two foot long Black Drum.
“He earned five big fish awards for qualifying saltwater species in order to earn his elite angler certificate," Simms added.
Texas Parks and Wildlife recognized Toepfer and other anglers for a number of categories from catching different species to setting new waterbody records.
Kirk McDonell, public information officer with the Inland Fisheries División, helps to bring recognition to the anglers.
“I think the recognition aspect is awesome. And it's a way to get people fishing and interested in the sport”, McDonnell said.
Anglers got more than 1,000 official records or awards for their catches. Seventy-three new state records were set, and 666 waterbody records were set.
“There's just so many different water bodies in the great state of Texas and I see anglers from all over the state submitting these amazing fish to their program," Simms said.
The most unusual fish submitted? The brightly colored short bigeye. Biggest fish? Paul Hefner’s 90-inch, 207 pound alligator gar at Lake Corpus Christi. How about a fish as big as the angler? Nine-year-old Maggie Sojourner’s blue catfish earned her a junior waterbody record at Lake Granbury and an Outstanding Angler Award.
“She catches record catfish fairly frequently. And her dad is a fishing guide. And she also goes out fishing with him and helps him,” Simms said.
That brings us back to Toepfer who’s setting his sights on freshwater records and sounds like a seasoned angler when he offers up advice.
“Like if you only catch one fish in the day, that’s better than no fish,” Toepfer said.
The angler recognition program calls the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center home. The program features many away categories, including rod and reel, bow fishing, fly fishing, and the new state record all tackle category.
For more information about the angler recognition program, click here.