I made it a goal of mine back in December to try to get the TPWD Elite Angler Award from a kayak. It appears Lusca is on the list from the kayak ranks. Has anyone else completed this? Finding a lot of folks probably just don't take the time but I was motivated by Rob Choi's quest last year in Virginia and wanted to try to do the same. I now have three of the five that I need. Once I get it done in freshwater, I am going to attempt (probably a 2015 goal) to get the saltwater one as well. It appears that only two people have qualified in both fresh and salt. I don't know the folks and whether it was from a kayak.

If you'd like to read more about it this is the TPWD page on it:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/programs/fishrecords/rules/other_awards.phtml#elite


I think it would be cool to have lots of folks from the kayak community be able to do this. But maybe that's just me.

I could do that! Very cool CP, good luck on your endeavor!

I am 2/5th's of the way there.

Thanks Matt. I think a lot of us can qualify. You can count fish from 60 days ago if you submit today. I'm hoping for a 15" crappie this weekend at Crappie Camp to be my number 4.

This is the time of year to get the big ones. My buds are on some monsters right now at Cedar Creek.

I've had my eye on the TPWD awards since I started fishing here, but I usually fish solo and would get tripped up by the requirement for a witness to live release.

I'm hoping you get one too!!!

I think the saltwater one is too easy so I added my own rules on the minimum sizes. Already earned it this year I think. Might just go after as many trophies as possible.

Where did you see this requirement? I didn't see it in the rules from above.

It's on the form.

I was able to do it in about a month. All from the kayak. 3 of my fish were on fly. The most difficult part for me was having a witness. I'm often working on the weekends and that makes it hard to find someone to tag along. The paperwork is pretty simple. Be sure to take several pics showing the fish with measuring device and the fish with the angler. It's the same for water body records. For a state record it has to be notarized. The TPWD will send you the certificates in the mail, usually in 2weeks or less.

I don't under stand the point of this award. It would be fun for a parent and child to do together as a bonding experience (and judging from the last names on the list that could be the case), because then 8yo little Johnny could go brag to his friends about being an Elite Angler.

Those that have accomplished it, what was the driving force behind obtaining the award? Since there's no timetable from when you submit your first fish to when you have to submit your fifth fish it's not that hard accomplish.

I agree with AT the saltwater requirements are way too easy.

From what I remember, the form and its instructions are not real clear about whether a witness is required for "Big Fish Awards" or just for submissions for State or Water Body Catch and Release Records. Both of my "Big Fish Awards" also qualified for Water Body Catch and Release Records so I listed a witness. Luckily, I had a witness for each of my submissions.

Since a Big Fish Award does not require "Catch and Release", the witness should only be required to document the "measurement", not the "live release". The confusing part of the application, is the "catch and release" record section of the application which seems most appropriate for listing the fish length on the form. There is not a section of the application dedicated solely to "Big Fish Award" submissions.

In reality, completion of the first section of the application along with the required photos may be all that is necessary for a "Big Fish Award".

I have also gone the extra mile and had my applications notarized, even though it appears that the requirement is only applicable to "State" records, not "water body" records.

My only driving force would be that I hope that I can.
Some of the big fish categories are no walk in the park to get.
Kind of a bucket list type thing I guess.

I really don't think you have to release for the elite angler award.