The 13th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament, a fundraiser for Sanibel’s J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, is Friday, May 9, 2025. Pre-registration is now open, and sponsorship opportunities are available for the annual all-day event, which raised $125,000 for vital work at the refuge and awarded over $62,000 in cash prizes in 2024.
“We encourage anglers to register as soon as possible, as last year’s tournament sold out,” said Joe Harrity, a partner with HM Restaurant Group, the parent company of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille. “It’s such a fun time, supports a noble cause and makes a difference in our community.”
Presented by title sponsor Doc Ford’s and the nonprofit “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society, the catch-and-release tourney is the first of its kind benefiting conservation and presenting 100% of all entry fee proceeds to winners. The competition has raised nearly $1.3 million from in-kind and cash sponsorships and donations since its inception in 2012, with all proceeds supporting conservation, education, wildlife and water quality research at the 6,470-acre national refuge, part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the U.S. Known globally for its migratory bird populations and bird-watching opportunities, the refuge is also the first recorded location of a tarpon caught on rod and reel.
Online registration for the “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament is open at dingdarlingsociety.org/tarpon-tournament and limited to 60 teams. Entry fees are $1,000 per boat for four anglers and $150 per person for two additional anglers, with no more than six per boat. Prize money is awarded to the top five finishers catching the most tarpon with the top female and senior angler and amateur teams receiving non-cash awards. Nearly $440,000 has been awarded during the 12-year history of the competition.
“The success of the tournament and its many contributions to the refuge wouldn’t be possible without the tremendous support of its sponsors,” said Jeff Decker, philanthropic director for J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. “The tournament not only raises money for ‘Ding’ Darling, but it also raises national and international awareness of the success of a community in protecting and preserving critical wildlife habitat. We thank all our sponsors.”
Sponsorship and donation information is available by contacting Ann-Marie Wildman at [email protected].
This year’s champion tournament sponsors are Gretchen Banks and the Szymanczyk family. Presenting sponsors include Bill and Laurie Harkey, the Law Office of Christopher G. Hill, Captiva Divas, Diversified Yacht Services and David and Judy Baum. Captain Shawn Kelly Fishing Charters, Custom Tees Now, Organized Chaos, Whitney’s Bait & Tackle, Cerveza Pacifico Clara, Capt. Matt Mitchell, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank and the Historic Bait Box are 2025 platinum sponsors. Gold sponsors include Anisa Ocean-Inspired Jewelry, RS Walsh Landscaping, Trophy Case of Fort Myers, SP Designs, the Law Office of Janet M. Strickland, Calusa Waterkeeper. YETI, Congress Jewelers, Hightower/Thomas & Swartz Wealth Management, The Structure Pros Coastal Construction and Milestone Auctions. Peter and Barbara Rogers are silver sponsors.
Committed to conservation, community and the environment, HM Restaurant Group supports a number of other Sanibel nonprofit organizations, including F.I.S.H. of SANCAP, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and Sanibel CARES. The company also raises money for children’s hospitals in Fort Myers and St. Petersburg and Captains For Clean Water through sales of specialty drinks at Doc Ford’s.
HM Restaurant Group owns and operates Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille (docfords.com), open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and renowned for delivering a legendary guest experience. With four locations, including Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach and two in St. Petersburg, award-winning Doc Ford’s offers food with a unique balance of flavors inspired by the Caribbean Rim. Beloved for its sauces, spices and signature Yucatan shrimp served daily, it’s highly regarded by locals and visitors alike as a spectacular seafood restaurant. Doc Ford’s is a perennial Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice winner. The St. Petersburg Pier restaurant was named the No. 1 restaurant for Best of the Best Restaurants for Everyday Eats in 2023.
