2025 Sargent Trout And Redfish Tournament
Cast your line, claim your prize — it’s time to START something big!
Welcome to the 16th Annual Sargent Trout And Redfish Tournament (S.T.A.R.T.)
Begin the summer with some fun, where rods bend, stories grow, and a good cast might just earn you a cash prize. Hosted by the Sargent Area Chamber of Commerce, this amateur-friendly event invites anglers from near and far to spend a day fishing the Matagorda Bay complex in pursuit of redfish, trout, and bragging rights.
Lines hit the water at 6:00 AM sharp on Saturday, June 14th, with weigh-in closing promptly at 4:00 PM at Bayside Bar & Grill. Your best shot at winning? Bring in your heaviest legal stringer — a max of two redfish (20–28″) and two trout (15–20″) — including at least one of each species. Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category, plus an award for Heaviest Stringer, totaling seven prizes up for grabs. To keep things fair, no angler can win more than two.
Whether you’re wading solo or teaming up (remember: every angler in the boat must be registered), S.T.A.R.T. is your chance to compete, connect, and support a great cause — all while chasing that perfect cast on the Texas coast.
What is it?
S.T.A.R.T. — short for Sargent Trout And Redfish Tournament — is a one-day amateur fishing event held every summer in Sargent, Texas. Now in its 16th year, the tournament brings together anglers of all experience levels for a friendly competition along the Matagorda Bay complex. It’s open to the public, but strictly for non-professionals: no guides, no ringers — just honest casting and coastal grit.
The goal? Reel in the heaviest legal catch within the tournament’s rules. Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in both Redfish and Trout categories, plus a bonus prize for the Heaviest Stringer (must include at least one trout and one redfish). That’s seven prize spots total, and no participant can walk away with more than two — so there’s plenty of opportunity to win without wiping out the field.
More than just a day on the water, S.T.A.R.T. is also a fundraiser for the Sargent Area Chamber of Commerce. Half of every entry fee goes directly to support the Chamber’s efforts in promoting local businesses and events — so whether you’re competing to win or just out to have fun, your registration makes a difference.
How to Enter:
Ready to fish? It’s easy to join the fun — just complete the registration form below and submit your entry fee online. All anglers must be registered individually, and everyone fishing from a boat must be signed up — no exceptions.
Registration is just $50, with a small $2 processing fee for online card payments — no envelopes, no stamps, no waiting in line. It’s a quick and easy way to lock in your spot and get ready for tournament day. Prefer to pay in person? Come by Bayside Bar & Grill during walk-in sign-ups on Friday, June 13th, from 6–8 PM, and bring cash or a check.
Your spot isn’t confirmed until payment is received, so don’t wait too long. Fill out the form, check the consent box to confirm you’ve read the rules, and you’re all set. We’ll see you at the shoreline.
Rules & Regulations
We keep things fun, fair, and fish-forward — but every great tournament needs some ground rules. Here’s what to know before you cast off:
- Tournament runs 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, June 14th. You must be in line with fish in hand by 4:00 PM at Bayside Bar & Grill to qualify. No late weigh-ins!
- You’re allowed a maximum stringer of two redfish and two trout, but it must include at least one of each species to qualify for stringer weight.
- Slot limits apply: Redfish must be 20–28″, trout must be 15–20″. Oversized catches will not be accepted.
- No professional guides allowed — this is an amateur-only tournament.
- No pooling fish between participants. Each angler must land their own catch.
- Wade fishing is allowed, as long as you’re following state safety laws.
- All anglers in a boat must be registered in the tournament — no passengers fishing on someone else’s ticket.
- You can only win two prizes, max — to keep the leaderboard exciting and fair.
- And of course: state fishing laws apply, including bag and size limits as set by Texas Parks & Wildlife.
Want the full list? You can download the complete rules PDF here for all the fine print.