Annual Tarpon Tournament Raises Nearly $226K for Wildlife Refuge
The 14th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament raised a record $226,357 for conservation and water quality research at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. Held May 15, the tournament attracted a record 65 teams and 309 anglers competing for $67,600 in prize money.
Participants caught and released 63 tarpons. Team Loaded Down, led by Captain Kyle Applefield, won first place and $30,420 after becoming the first team to catch and release six fish. Team Salt Rock, led by Captain Cody Chivas, placed second, followed by Team Towboat US Charlotte Harbor, Team Maastricht Engineering/ Window Plus and Team SeaReaper Sportfishing.
The tournament also recognized Stephanie Swank as top female angler, Aaron Black as top senior angler and Team Rad Raz as the top amateur team.
Founded in 2012 by Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille and the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society–Friends of the Refuge, the tournament returns 100% of entry fees to competitors and has raised more than $2 million for refuge conservation efforts. The event supports the 6,470-acre J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and water quality research in Southwest Florida.
Organizers announced that the 15th annual tournament is scheduled for May 7, 2027.
A locally owned company, HM Restaurant Group has a long history of philanthropy and community outreach. Visit HMRestaurantGroup.com for more information.
