To celebrate the history of the first documented tarpon caught on a rod-and-reel in “Ding” Darling’s Tarpon Bay in 1885, Doc Ford’s and the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge have partnered to host this seventh annual “catch, care, and release” tournament on May 11, 2018. Registration is $500 per team of four, 100 percent of which goes back to the anglers in cash awards.

The newest tradition of the "Ding" Darling & Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament awards the captain of the winning team a pink tarpon jacket. "It's kind of like the green Masters jacket," said Doc Ford's co-owner Marty Harrity, who started the tradition last year. Recently, the five captains gathered with Marty to receive their jackets. They will wear them at the Captain's meeting and the tradition will continue at the tournament awards ceremony on May 11 at Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille on Fort Myers Beach where the 2018 winner will be presented with their jacket.

The 2018 tournament registration opened on December 4, 2017 at 8 a.m. and was FULL by 10 a.m. Please email Sarah Lathrop at [email protected] to be put on the waiting list.