January 15, 2025

AFTCO Partners with Toyota ShareLunker Program on New Texas ‘Guide of the Year’ Award

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Toyota ShareLunker Program are partnering with AFTCO to create a new Texas Guide of the Year award open during the ShareLunker season. The selected winning guide will receive $500 in AFTCO gear of their choice, a $500 cash prize, and recognition at the Toyota ShareLunker VIP banquet in the fall.

"With a chance to win $500 worth of AFTCO gear of their choosing and a $500 cash prize, this promotion underscores the importance of conservation and the invaluable role that guides can play in preserving Texas's bass populations," said Natalie Goldstrohm, Toyota ShareLunker Program Coordinator. "Fishing guides can play a pivotal role in the Toyota ShareLunker Program's mission to engage the public in promoting and enhancing Lunker bass fishing in Texas public waters."

To be considered for the Texas Guide of the Year Award, the guide’s client must:

Catch a ShareLunker-sized bass (largemouth bass, weighing 8 lb.+. or more and 24 inches or longer)
Submit their catch into the ShareLunker database or website by the program rules
- Encouraged to submit a DNA sample to the Toyota ShareLunker Program
Confirm the fish was caught during a guided trip and include the guide's name

Additional Guide Requirements:

Valid fishing license (unless exempt)
Valid fishing guide license in Texas
No current or pending fish and wildlife violations

Important Dates:

January 2025
- All eligible guides will be contacted to complete their application form highlighting their accomplishments and contributions to bass conservation.
- All eligible guides mentioned during the ShareLunker catch submissions will also be considered for the Texas Bass Guide of the Year.
February 28, 2025
- Guides should complete and submit their application forms.
  From here, a review committee will use a scoring rubric to evaluate the guides based on the established criteria.

The Toyota ShareLunker Program

The year-round Toyota ShareLunker program offers anglers three additional levels of participation for catching bass over eight pounds or 24 inches in Texas public waters. Each level provides vital data to TPWD fisheries biologists, helping them continue creating bigger, better bass in Texas.

“The number of ShareLunker-sized bass that guides encounter is considerable,” added Goldstrohm. “By having clients reporting these catches and providing the much-needed DNA samples, TPWD biologists can better manage Lunker populations, better understand bass populations, and evaluate Lone Star bass stockings.”

ShareLunker entry classes include the Bass Pro Shops Lunker Class (8 lb.+), Strike King Elite Class (10 lb.+), and Lew’s Legend Class (13 lb.+). Once a Lunker is reeled in, anglers must enter the catch data on the Toyota ShareLunker mobile app – available for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play – or on the Toyota ShareLunker online app at TexasSharelunker.com.

During the season's first three months (January 1 — March 31), anglers who reel in a 13-plus pound bass can loan it to TPWD for the ShareLunker selective breeding and stocking program. These anglers can call the ShareLunker hotline at (903) 681-0550 to report their catch 24/7 through March 31, 2025.

Anglers that catch and loan a 13 lb.+ Lunker will earn:

Legacy Class status
Catch kit filled with merchandise
13 lb.+ Legacy decal for your vehicle or boat
VIP access to the Toyota ShareLunker Annual Awards event
High-quality replica mount of your fish from Lake Fork Taxidermy
ShareLunker branded apparel provided by AFTCO
Bass University swag pack and annual subscription

These anglers will also receive entries into two separate drawings, a Legacy Class Drawing and the year-end Grand Prize Drawing. Both drawings will award the winner a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree.

Anglers that catch and enter data for any 8 lb.+ or 24 inches long Lunker will earn:

Catch kit filled with merchandise
Decal for your vehicle or boat
Bass University one month subscription

These anglers will also earn an entry into the year-end Grand Prize Drawing to win a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree.

In addition to providing basic catch information, anglers can send a DNA scale sample from their Lunker bass to TPWD researchers for genetic analysis. Anglers who contribute a sample to the program will receive a Lew’s baitcast reel valued at up to $200 while supplies last, with a limit of one reel per angler. Anglers who send in a genetic sample will also get a three month subscription to Bass University. Learn how to provide and submit a DNA sample here.

As a partner with the Toyota ShareLunker program, we are committed to conserving and preserving fishing resources.
"We have had a great relationship with TPWD to this point and look forward to expanding our relationship with them in 2025 and beyond," said Casey Shedd, AFTCO President. "Conservation is a core principle of AFTCO, and it's great to build on it with a great partner like TPWD."

AFTCO freshwater conservation efforts at the local level are focused on supporting state agencies and regional projects through their bass fishing conservation grant programs. At the national level, AFTCO supports the placement of artificial and natural fish habitats, lake cleanups, the Bass Bus Live Release Boat, and our Fish Care 101 educational content. To learn more about AFTCO’s recent conservation initiatives like the Redfish Stocking Program in Louisiana check out our conservation page.

The Toyota ShareLunker Program would not be possible without Toyota’s generous sponsorship. Toyota is a longtime supporter of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and TPWD, which provide financial support for various fisheries, state parks, and wildlife projects.
Special thanks to other vital program supporters: