ATHENS, Texas — Six-year-old Ernst Toepfer V has a knack for fishing…such a knack that he’s become the youngest ‘elite angler’ in The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Angler Recognition Program.
So how did Ernst earn his elite angler status? The TPWD’s program recognizes anyone who catches trophy-class fish in five different saltwater or freshwater categories. On his resume, Ernst has run the table on saltwater catches, landing a 21.75-inch sheepshead, 22.75-inch black drum, 21.25-inch ladyfish, 21-inch spotted seatrout and 14.88-inch sand seatrout.
Fishing is something that runs in the family, as Ernst often fishes with father Ernst Toepfer IV -- also an elite angler -- and grandfather Ernst Toepfer III.
“I always enjoy receiving applications from Ernst,” said Grace Simms, who is the coordinator for the TPWD Angler Recognition Program. “You can tell he’s excited about fishing from the photos submitted. I love how he fishes with his dad and grandad.”
Ernst isn’t alone in big catches in Texas waters. There were plenty more anglers who have been honored in the Angler Recognition Program.
Among them...
- Cathy Johnson, who caught a 3.3-pound, 18.5-inch short bigeye in September that was a state and water body record.
- There was also nine-year-old Maggie Sojourner, who caught a blue catfish that TPWD said is nearly as big as her! The fish she caught on Jan. 22 on Lake Grandview weighed a whopping 26.37 pounds.
- Paul Hefner reeled in a 207-pound, 90-inch alligator gar last April on Lake Corpus Christi that earned him a Big Fish Award and waterbody record.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, anglers earned more than 1,000 official records or awards as part of the program.
If you are interested in getting involved in the program, you can find out more here.
