The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Toyota ShareLunker Program announced on May 15 that fishing guide Brady Stanford of Millersville has been selected as the 2025 American Fishing Tackle Company (AFTCO) Guide of the Year.
According to agency guidelines, the annual award recognizes a licensed fishing guide who best contributes to conservation and the enhancement of largemouth bass fisheries across the state.
Stanford, who guides on O.H. Ivie Lake, was chosen based on his consistent data-collection and selective-breeding contributions. According to TPWD records, Stanford has personally caught two “Legacy Class” entries — a 15.03-pound bass in 2022 and a 13.13-pound bass in 2025 — while also guiding five of his clients to their own Legacy Class catches.
Program coordinators stated that commercial guides play a vital role in providing the DNA scale samples that state biologists require to study and manage trophy bass populations.
The collaborative award program between ShareLunker and AFTCO began in 2025 to incentivize guides to submit catch logs and biological data for any largemouth bass weighing at least eight pounds or measuring 24 inches.
Natalie Goldstrohm, TPWD coordinator for the Toyota ShareLunker Program, stated that Stanford’s dedication “strengthens the program and the angling community statewide”. Goldstrohm noted that because guides encounter a “considerable” number of large bass, their consistent reporting allows the state to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of its Lone Star bass stocking efforts.
AFTCO President Casey Shedd characterized the initiative as a “best-in-class program to help produce big bass at a state level,” noting that his company is proud to partner with the state to reward conservation-minded guides.
In his acceptance remarks, Stanford said that he is “humbled to be considered” for the honor, adding that he considers himself fortunate to be able to “make a living doing what I love.” To remain eligible for future selections, the agency requires that guides hold a valid Texas license and remain in good standing with all state wildlife laws.
“This award highlights the vital role fishing guides play in conservation and in supporting the future of Texas bass fisheries,” Goldstrohm said.