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The "Ding" Darling & Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament raised more than $226,000 for conservation and water quality research in its 14th year.
The annual event, held May 15 in the Gulf off Sanibel and Captiva islands, attracted a record 65 teams and 309 anglers, competing for $67,600 in prize money, a news release said. Teams caught and released 63 tarpon, with Team Loaded Down, led by Capt. Kyle Applefield, taking first place and $30,420, it said.
Team Salt Rock, led by Capt. Cody Chivas, caught its sixth fish later in the day and won the $16,900 second-place prize. Team Towboat US Charlotte Harbor, led by Capt. Kyle Potts, caught five fish, placing third and taking home $10,140.
Team Maastricht Engineering/Window Plus, with Capt. Ryan Stoa, won $6,700 with five fish, while fifth-place finisher Team SeaReaper Sportfishing, with Capt. Chris Argiro, took home $3,380 for its five tarpon.
The tournament also recognized top female angler Stephanie Swank with Team Costa Customs, senior angler Aaron Black from Team Side X Side Enclosures and amateur team Rad Raz with Capt. Kyle Nifong. The competition has awarded nearly $600,000 to winning teams during its 14-year history.
“We are so grateful for this fundraiser, because not only does it add much-needed dollars to the ever-shrinking refuge budget after a few tough years of hurricane recovery, it also supports our conservation mission,” said Kevin Godsea in the news release. He's project leader for the SWFL Gulf Coast Refuge Complex, which oversees seven refuges for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“Plus, it is an opportunity to remind anglers, both professional and amateur, about the importance of ethical and responsible fishing.”
The tournament is the first of its kind, benefiting conservation and returning 100% of all entry fees to winners. Founded by Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille and the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society–Friends of the Refuge, the competition has raised more than $2 million since its inception in 2012, supporting the 6,470-acre national refuge, the release said.
The tournament honors the refuge as the first recorded location of a tarpon caught on a rod and reel and celebrates Southwest Florida’s history of fishing. It attracts anglers from across the country, who gather to chase the silver king and protect local waters. Tarpon are prized game fish revered for their powerful, often acrobatic fight, the news release said.
The tournament raises funds for the refuge through sponsorships, cash and in-kind donations.
“We are thrilled with this year’s turnout and record fundraising,” said Joe Harrity, partner with HM Restaurant Group. “It’s always a fun day with the underlying mission of supporting the refuge and the local and national efforts to protect critical wildlife habitat while promoting conservation, education and research.”
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Tarpon fishing tourney in Gulf nets $226,000 for conservation
Continue reading...
The annual event, held May 15 in the Gulf off Sanibel and Captiva islands, attracted a record 65 teams and 309 anglers, competing for $67,600 in prize money, a news release said. Teams caught and released 63 tarpon, with Team Loaded Down, led by Capt. Kyle Applefield, taking first place and $30,420, it said.
Record donations and sponsorships
Team Salt Rock, led by Capt. Cody Chivas, caught its sixth fish later in the day and won the $16,900 second-place prize. Team Towboat US Charlotte Harbor, led by Capt. Kyle Potts, caught five fish, placing third and taking home $10,140.
Team Maastricht Engineering/Window Plus, with Capt. Ryan Stoa, won $6,700 with five fish, while fifth-place finisher Team SeaReaper Sportfishing, with Capt. Chris Argiro, took home $3,380 for its five tarpon.
The tournament also recognized top female angler Stephanie Swank with Team Costa Customs, senior angler Aaron Black from Team Side X Side Enclosures and amateur team Rad Raz with Capt. Kyle Nifong. The competition has awarded nearly $600,000 to winning teams during its 14-year history.
Conservation efforts highlighted
“We are so grateful for this fundraiser, because not only does it add much-needed dollars to the ever-shrinking refuge budget after a few tough years of hurricane recovery, it also supports our conservation mission,” said Kevin Godsea in the news release. He's project leader for the SWFL Gulf Coast Refuge Complex, which oversees seven refuges for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“Plus, it is an opportunity to remind anglers, both professional and amateur, about the importance of ethical and responsible fishing.”
The tournament is the first of its kind, benefiting conservation and returning 100% of all entry fees to winners. Founded by Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille and the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society–Friends of the Refuge, the competition has raised more than $2 million since its inception in 2012, supporting the 6,470-acre national refuge, the release said.
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Honoring fishing history
The tournament honors the refuge as the first recorded location of a tarpon caught on a rod and reel and celebrates Southwest Florida’s history of fishing. It attracts anglers from across the country, who gather to chase the silver king and protect local waters. Tarpon are prized game fish revered for their powerful, often acrobatic fight, the news release said.
The tournament raises funds for the refuge through sponsorships, cash and in-kind donations.
“We are thrilled with this year’s turnout and record fundraising,” said Joe Harrity, partner with HM Restaurant Group. “It’s always a fun day with the underlying mission of supporting the refuge and the local and national efforts to protect critical wildlife habitat while promoting conservation, education and research.”
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Tarpon fishing tourney in Gulf nets $226,000 for conservation
Continue reading...
