2026 Sargent Trout And Redfish Tournament
Cast off for another year of friendly competition on the Texas coast!
Welcome to the 17th Annual Sargent Trout And Redfish Tournament (S.T.A.R.T.)
The Sargent Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the 17th Annual S.T.A.R.T. Fishing Tournament on Saturday, June 13, 2026. This one-day amateur tournament brings local and visiting anglers together on the Matagorda Bay complex for redfish, trout, and heaviest stringer prizes.
Tournament hours are 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with weigh-in from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Bayside Bar & Grill in Sargent. All participants must be in line with fish in hand by 4:00 PM to qualify.
Whether you are wading, fishing from a boat, or joining friends for the weekend, S.T.A.R.T. is a chance to compete, connect, and support the Sargent Area Chamber of Commerce.
What is it?
S.T.A.R.T. stands for Sargent Trout And Redfish Tournament, an annual amateur fishing event hosted by the Sargent Area Chamber of Commerce. The tournament is open to the public and welcomes anglers of all experience levels, but professional guides are not allowed.
Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category, plus Heaviest Stringer. Heaviest Stringer is limited to two trout and two redfish, and must include at least one trout and one redfish.
There are seven total prizes, and contestants may win no more than two prizes for the day. Prize money will be based on the number of entries.
How to Enter
Ready to fish? Complete the registration form below, then follow the payment link on the thank-you page to pay your angler entry fee online.
The official entry fee is $50 per angler. Online card payment is $52 per angler, which includes the payment gateway processing fee. Your spot is not confirmed until payment has been received.
Prefer to register in person? Walk-in registration will be available at Bayside Bar & Grill on Friday, June 12, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Registration forms may also be picked up at Bayside Bar & Grill, CAS Graphics, and other local businesses in Sargent.
Each angler must register individually, and every angler fishing from a boat must be registered for the tournament.
Rules & Regulations
We keep things fun, fair, and fish-forward, but every great tournament needs ground rules. Please review the full 2026 Rules and Regulations before registering.
- Tournament hours are 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
- Weigh-in is from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Bayside Bar & Grill.
- Participants must be in line with fish in hand by 4:00 PM. In the event of a tie, the earlier weigh-in wins.
- All fishing must take place in the Matagorda Bay complex.
- Live and artificial bait may be used.
- All fish must be caught by rod and reel on the day of the tournament.
- Redfish must be within the 20 inch to 28 inch slot limit.
- Trout entered for weigh-in must be within the 15 inch to 20 inch slot limit. No oversized trout will be weighed.
- No professional guides are allowed.
- Wade fishing is allowed.
- Fish may not be pooled between participants.
- All anglers in a boat must be registered.
- Any participant may win no more than two prizes.
- The weigh master’s decision is final.
View the full 2026 S.T.A.R.T. Registration Form and Rules PDF.