Women, Tarpon, and “Ding”
Where sportfishing and conservation come together to protect the waters of tomorrow.
A Tradition That Fishes for the Future
For 14 years, the “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament has married sportfishing with stewardship, honoring the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge—the site of the first recorded tarpon caught on rod and reel—and channeling community energy into measurable conservation wins. This year’s tournament paid out $67,600 in prizes to five winning teams and drew 65 teams (309 participants), with 63 tarpons hooked and released.
Women in the Spotlight
Women have moved from the sidelines to the spotlight in recent years, and the Tarpon Tournament has become a showcase for that shift. Female anglers are now a visible, competitive force. This year’s top female angler award went to Stephanie Swank, and local women’s groups such as Captiva Divas have stepped up as sponsors and ambassadors, helping recruit new anglers and normalize women at the helm. The tournament’s growing female presence reflects Sanibel and Captiva’s long history of women leading conservation, community organizations, and Refuge advocacy.
Highlights Across 14 Years
- The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society (DDWS) and Doc Ford’s have together raised more than $2 million to protect water quality, restore habitats, safeguard wildlife, expand DDWS outreach, and bring scientific conservation education to Lee County schools.
- Nearly $600,000 in prize money has been awarded to winning teams over the tournament’s history, underscoring its longevity and popularity.
- The tournament’s fundraising model is unique: 100% of boat registration fees go back into the awards purse, while sponsorships and donations fund conservation projects at the refuge.
- In recent years, the event has driven record conservation impact, raising six-figure sums for water quality research, seagrass and mangrove restoration, and wildlife protection. In 2025, the tournament generated a record donation of $266,780 for the refuge.
Doc Ford’s, Sponsors, and Community Muscle
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille has been a steadfast partner—hosting the captain’s meeting, awards, and traditions like the pink tarpon jacket—while local businesses and groups supply the sponsorship dollars that make conservation grants possible. Because entry fees are returned to anglers, sponsorships are the lifeblood of the refuge’s funded work.
Why This Matters
The tournament proves a simple idea: sport and stewardship can reinforce one another. Anglers leave with prize money and a deeper connection to the waters they fish; the refuge receives funding and public advocates who understand why clean estuaries and healthy seagrass matter. As female anglers continue to rise—both on the leaderboard and among sponsors—the event is becoming more inclusive and more powerful as a conservation engine.
Get involved: Attend the awards, sponsor a team, or volunteer. Your support keeps the refuge healthy and ensures that the next generation of anglers—especially women—will inherit thriving waters.
