After 4.5 months with no entries into the Toyota ShareLunker program, Bruce Butler of Amarillo ended the dry spell with a 13.13-pound fish from Lake Alan Henry. Butler caught the season’s second ShareLunker about 4:00 p.m. April 13 from the reservoir southeast of Lubbock. It was 26 inches long and 21 inches in girth.
ShareLunkers are no stranger to either Lake Alan Henry or Butler. In 2004 Butler caught ShareLunker 364, a 14.8-pounder, also from Alan Henry. That fish came during a spate of catches from the lake that saw it produce 22 ShareLunkers between 2004 and 2007.
Lake Alan Henry is now tied with Sam Rayburn Reservoir for second place in the number of entries into the ShareLunker program, 26. Only Lake Fork, with 257, has produced more.
Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between October 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.
Anglers entering fish into the Toyota ShareLunker program receive a free replica of their fish, a certificate and ShareLunker clothing and are recognized at a banquet at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. The person who catches the season’s largest entry will be named Angler of the Year and will receive a prize package from G. Loomis of a top-of-the-line rod, Shimano reel, PowerPro line and G. Loomis hat. If the Angler of the Year is a Texas resident, that person will also receive a lifetime Texas fishing license.
ShareLunker catches can be reported 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the season, by calling (903) 681-0550. If poor cellphone service prevents use of the voice number, anglers can leave a phone number (including area code) at (888) 784-0600. That number is also monitored 24/7 during the season.
The Toyota ShareLunker Program is made possible by a grant to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation from Gulf States Toyota. Toyota is a long-time supporter of the Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, providing major funding for a wide variety of education, fish, parks and wildlife projects.
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