When Ty Smith and Lukey Smith launched Texas Shark Radio, their goal was simple: create a space where shark anglers across Texas could connect, learn, and celebrate the sport. What began as a grassroots podcast has quickly grown into a thriving community and a one-of-a-kind fishing tournament that is putting Bolivar Peninsula on the map for shark enthusiasts.
From Podcast to Tournament
The idea behind the podcast was to keep anglers informed about tournaments, share stories, and offer newcomers a safe place to ask questions. “We didn’t want anyone to feel intimidated,” Ty explained. “If someone wanted to know how to get started or what gear works, the podcast gave them that chance.”
That welcoming spirit carried over into the creation of the Bolivar Beatdown Shark Tournament, now in its second year. Unlike most shark tournaments that crown winners based on a single biggest catch, the Beatdown uses a three-fish stringer format. Competitors measure their three largest sharks by length, and the combined total determines the winner. This unique approach levels the playing field, allowing an angler with three solid six-foot catches to outscore someone with just one ten-footer.
“We wanted to design a tournament that was fair to everyone,” Ty said. “Not just the guys with the fanciest gear.”
More Than a Tournament: Building a Community
At the heart of the Beatdown is camaraderie. Anglers and volunteers use the Zello app to communicate during the event—calling for runners to help measure sharks, lending a hand to vehicles stuck in the sand, and even coordinating evacuations when last year’s storm rolled in.
“It’s amazing to see everyone come together,” Ty said. “It’s not just about fishing; it’s about helping each other and leaving the beach better than we found it.” The tournament is strictly catch-and-release, with conservation and quick shark recovery top priorities. Anglers also pitch in to pick up trash, ensuring the beaches are cleaner after the event than before.
A Growing Footprint
This year, the Bolivar Beatdown expanded beyond the surf. Organizers introduced the Bolivar Beatdown Expo, a vendor fair featuring food trucks, gear makers, and local businesses. The expo has transformed the tournament into a family-friendly weekend destination, attracting both anglers and curious spectators.
Participation has also grown. This year’s event welcomed more than 200 anglers, including 146 competing in the shark division and 160 in redfish. Each angler brings multiple rods, making the shoreline a lively stretch of activity.
Sharks, Stories, and Technology
Typical catches include bull sharks, blacktips, spinners, and the occasional lemon shark. Last year’s largest catch was an impressive 8-foot-11 bull shark, though anglers are still vying to top it this season.
The sport has also changed dramatically in recent years with the rise of drones. Once, anglers relied on kayaks or even surfboards to deploy bait far from shore. Now, drones make the process quicker and more accessible—though not without debate. “Some old-school guys don’t love it,” Ty admitted. “But the technology isn’t going anywhere. We’re focused on teaching people to use it responsibly.”
Looking Ahead
With only two years behind them, Ty and Lukey already have big ambitions. Their goal is to establish the Bolivar Beatdown as one of Texas’ premier shark fishing events, alongside long-running tournaments like Sharkathon. While Sharkathon has decades of history, the Beatdown is carving its own niche by blending innovation, inclusivity, and transparency—all tournament results are posted live on Facebook for anyone to follow.
For Ty, though, the biggest prize isn’t the leaderboard—it’s the stories. From witnessing the largest shark ever landed at Sharkathon (a nearly 11-foot giant) to tales of anglers jumping into the surf to wrangle loose sharks, the memories are as big as the fish themselves.
