Worlds Richest Tarpon Tournament
May 14 & 15 2025
World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament
In the early 1980s, the Boca Grande Club started the Boca Grande Club Invitational Tarpon Tournament to bring World Class Anglers to Boca Grande, The Tarpon Capital of the World. In the early 90s, the Boca Grande Chamber took over the tournament rebranding it as the “World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament” with first-place winning over $100,000!
Although it started as a weigh tournament with 1st place going to the heaviest fish, 2nd to the 2nd heaviest, and 3rd to the team with the most releases, the tournament shifted to an all-release event in the 2000s to focus on Conservation, Sportsmanship, and Education.
This Traditional live-bait-only Tarpon Tournament honors the history of Tarpon fishing in Boca Grande pass as well stressing the importance of conservation to ensure a healthy fishery for generations to come. We hope you join us in future years by participating in the World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament, a Grande Tradition!
For more information: Contact the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce at 941-964-0568, email us at info@bocagrandechamber.com
2022 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament Winners!
1st Place: 13 total releases in two days
Winnings: $25,200, Champion Rings by Barbara Anne’s Jewelry & Repair, 1st Place Trophies by JW Trophies
1st Tarpon Released on Day 1:
Winnings: $10,500
Hey Moma!: Capt. Wayne Joiner
Anglers: Alex Shouppe, Chris Sanders, Michael Moorefield, Trey Sterling
TOTAL Winnings: $35,700
2nd Place: 9 releases in two days
Winnings: $16,800, 2nd place trophies by JW Trophies
Spooked Again: Capt. Steve Ahlers
Anglers: Pat Parks, Mitch Smith, Richard Lapadule, Brit Ahlers
TOTAL Winnings: $16,800
Last Tarpon Released Day 1:
Winnings: $10,500
Family Tradition: Capt. Travis Joiner
Anglers: Sally Joiner, Sam Joiner
First Tarpon Released Day 2:
Winnings: $10,500
Remdemptiton Song: Capt. Matt Coleman
Anglers: Matt Young, William Woodruffe, John Delaverque
Last Tarpon Released Day 2:
Winnings: $10,500
Ohana: Capt. Jesse Craddock
Anglers: Mary Brooker, Shawn Brooker, Jacqueline Brooker, Madeline Brooker
There was 82 tarpon released in the two-day tournament, and 24 boats in the field.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers, Chamber board members, captains, and anglers, and congratulations to the winners!
2022 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament Sponsors
Thank you for all of your support!
Tournament Artist: Kelly Reark
Conservation Partners: Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Captains For Clean Water
Presenting
Boca Grande Marina | Miller’s Dockside | Eagle Grille
Premier
Capstan Financial
Suncoast Beverage
Platinum
Grande Aire Services
Barbara Anne’s Jewelry & Repair
Island TV Boca Grande
Quality Boats
Gold
Boca Grande Realestate, Italiano Insurance, Michael Saunders, Caddy Carts
Silver
Hudsons Grocery, Bowen Construction, Boca Grande Vacations, Benefit Strategies, LLC, Island Craftsman, Italiano Insurance, Parsons Painting, Quorum Services, Coastal Homes Services, Bull Bay Rods, Moonlighter, Kappy Karts, Ryan Mcdougall, Parsley Baldwin, Barnichol Hardware, Costa Del Mar, Lemon Bay Golf, Heron Creek Golf, Oyster Creek, Rotonda Golf, Temptation, Fugates