The 12th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament successfully raised $125,000 for conservation and water quality research at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel.
Held on May 10, the sold-out event attracted 60 teams and 245 anglers, including 27 senior anglers, 30 women, and 11 amateur teams, all competing for bragging rights and over $62,000 in cash prizes.
Salt Rock’s team, consisting of Jason Capra, Cody Chivas, Caleb Dumas, Peter Frederiksen, and Brian Timmons, took first place by landing six tarpons, earning $28,080. SP Designs also caught six tarpons, securing second place and $15,600. Other winners included Sea Reaper Sportfishing in third place with $9,360, TowBoatU.S. in fourth place with $6,260, and Tarpon Travelers in fifth place with $3,120. In total, 23 teams caught 47 tarpons.
Special awards were given to amateur team Maastricht Engineering/Windows Plus, female angler Jasmine Constantine of TowBoatU.S., and senior angler Phil Pica of SP Designs.
Founded by Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, the tournament has raised nearly $1.3 million since its inception in 2012 to support the refuge, with nearly $440,000 awarded to top finishers.
“We thank this year’s anglers, our many event sponsors, and donors who continue to make the annual tournament a successful fundraiser for the wildlife refuge,” said Joe Harrity, partner at HM Restaurant Group, the parent company of Doc Ford’s and the Dixie Fish Company. “Since the 1940s, this special place has symbolized local and national efforts to protect and enhance critical wildlife habitat while addressing present-day and future concerns for conservation, education, and water and wildlife research. The money raised from the tournament has a meaningful impact in our community.”
