About Bryan Cotter & Texas Hawgs
Texas Hawgs is an owner-operated Austin bass fishing guide service led by Bryan Cotter, a licensed guide with 50+ years of fishing experience and 26+ years guiding Central Texas lakes.
A guide who builds the trip around you
Some guests want to chase a personal-best largemouth. Some want a fun first day in a bass boat. Some are bringing kids and just want rods bent, smiles, and a day they will remember. Bryan adjusts the lake, pace, techniques, and teaching style to fit the people in the boat.
Experienced anglers can dig into lake patterns, electronics, structure, seasonal movement, and artificial-bait technique. Beginners get patient, clear instruction without pressure. Families get a relaxed trip focused on safety, fun, and steady action.
Tournament experience, real-world teaching
Bryan also competes in local, regional, and national bass tournaments, including Texas Team Trail, Bass Champs, TTZ, MLF, and B.A.S.S. regional events. He has earned Angler of the Year honors in multiple clubs and has numerous top finishes across Central Texas.
That tournament background helps on guide trips, but Texas Hawgs is not about showing off. It is about using that experience to help guests catch fish, understand why the bite is happening, and leave more confident than when they stepped in the boat.
The boat and equipment
You will fish from a 2025 Phoenix 21 XE, one of the largest bass boats in the industry at 21.5 feet. The boat is equipped with Humminbird Solix 15 graphs, MEGA 360, and Garmin LiveScope up front to help locate and target fish efficiently.
Texas Hawgs provides the rods, reels, tackle, and artificial baits needed for the day. You are welcome to bring your own gear, but you do not have to.
More than bass fishing
Bass fishing is Bryan's main focus, but it is not his only connection to the Texas outdoors. He also guides birding tours around the state through Birding Tours Texas. If your group enjoys nature beyond the rod and reel, ask about adding a guided birding experience to your trip.