The Buffalo Capital of the World

An angler grips a large, Smallmouth Buffalo.

Austin, Texas may be better known for barbecue, live music, and keeping things weird, but beneath the surface of its urban waterways swims one of North America’s most overlooked giants. Smallmouth buffalo can grow to enormous sizes, live for decades, and offer an entirely different challenge from the gamefish most anglers spend their lives chasing. We headed to Texas to spend a few days with the current world record holder, Austin Anderson, to learn how to target these incredible native fish; and find out why Austin, TX might just deserve the title of “Buffalo Capital of the World.”

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