Empty Stringers Catch and Release Program

The Empty Stringers Program was started in 2016 by Captain Wayne Davis and a fellow Texas fishing guide with a simple but powerful goal: to bring conservation back to the waters we all love. The idea is straightforward—release as many fish as possible and keep only what you need for dinner. It’s about being a good steward of the resource, not abusing it, and ensuring these fisheries last for generations to come. Along the Texas coast, with no boundaries or limits on participation, the Empty Stringers Program has proven over time that responsible catch and release works, delivering long-lasting, real results for our fisheries.