It has become an honored and legendary tradition among anglers from around the nation: The “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament has made history with its 100 percent purse awards and legacy of responsible fishing. Because the tourney, scheduled for May 9 this year, pays out 100 percent of entry fees as tournament awards, it depends on sponsorships to raise funds for conservation, wildlife and water quality research, and education at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island, Fla.

 

With Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille at the top of the list as title sponsor since the tournament’s conception in 2012, this year, more than 30 sponsors have signed on to date to raise support and excitement for an event that preserves local fishing history as well as the environment. For the first time in the tournament’s 13 years, DDWS received a $100,000 Silver King sponsorship, and that comes from Bill and Laurie Harkey.

 

Dating back to 1885, “Ding” Darling and tarpon fishing have become as entangled as fouled fishing line. That year, Chicago architect William H. Wood recorded the first tarpon caught by rod-and-reel, and it happened in the refuge’s Tarpon Bay. The event made international news and changed the face and fabric of sports fishing, helping to make Southwest Florida a destination for anglers from all parts of the world, including President Teddy Roosevelt and Thomas A. Edison.

 

In 2013, Doc Ford’s joined forces with “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) to design a catch-and-release tarpon tourney unlike any other. Besides raising money, it would educate anglers about ethical methods of fishing, while making it worth its while in award monies. The use of gaffs, jigging (aka snagging) practices, and any hooks other than circle hooks are all prohibited. Winners are declared not by the old-school method of bringing the fish in to weigh or measure, but by the number of fish teams catch and verify with photos.

 

Through the years, the tournament has raised more than $1,305,000 to support the “Ding” Darling mission. The Doc Ford’s Sanibel location hosts the Captain’s Dinner the night before 60 teams of anglers head out in search of the “silver king.” At the end of the day, the teams return to Doc Ford’s for the awarding of the top five teams, plus prizes in other categories. Last year, the tourney paid out $28,080 for first place and a total of $62,400.

 

“Doc Ford’s has been a faithful supporter of our efforts at ‘Ding’ Darling, helping greatly to bolster refuge programs and research to balance federal budget shortfalls,” said Ann-Marie Wildman, DDWS executive director. “Last year we raised about $135,000 for the refuge as a result of donations, auction proceeds, and, most importantly, sponsorships. Already this year, we’ve already raised $215,000 – coming very close to our goal for 2025.”

 

For more information on the tournament, visit dingdarlingtarpontourney.com. To join the elite roster of sponsors, listed below, and help DDWS reach its fundraising goal, contact Wildman at 239-789-8991 or [email protected].

 

Tournament sponsors include: Title Sponsor: Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille; Silver King Sponsor: Bill & Laurie Harkey; Champion Sponsors: Gretchen Banks, The Szymanczyk Family; Presenting Sponsors: Captiva Divas, Diversified Yacht Services, Law Office of Christopher Hill, David & Judy Baum; Platinum Sponsors: Captain Shawn Kelly Fishing Charters, Custom Tees Now, Captain Matt Michell Fishing Charters, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, Organized Chaos, Pacifico, The Bait Box, Whitney’s Bait & Tackle; Gold Sponsors: Anisa Stewart Jewelry, Law Office of Janet M. Strickland, PA, Yeti, Bay Marine, Calusa Waterkeeper, Congress Jewelers, Fort Myers Marine, HighTower Advisors, Side x Side Enclosures, SP Designs, The Structure Pros, Trophy Case; Silver Sponsors: ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa, Lyndon’s Bricks & Stones, Inc., Peter and Barbara Rogers.

 

ABOUT DDWS

As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, DDWS works to support J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s mission of conservation, wildlife and habitat protection, research, and public education through charitable donations and Refuge Nature Shop profits. To support DDWS and the refuge with a tax-deductible gift, visit dingdarlingsociety.org or Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-789-8991 or [email protected].