Tarpon Tournament

The Gasparilla Island Kids Classic Tarpon Tournament is the world’s greatest kids fishing tournament for children ages 15 and under.

100% of all entry fees from this event are donated to our charitable partners and benefit children’s health and educational programs throughout Southwest Florida.

With great support from our sponsors and contributors, in just eight short years we have now raised over $225,000 for institutions and programs such as:

Moffitt Cancer Center, All Children’s Hospital, The Englewood Community Care Clinic, The Island School, Lemon Bay Conservancy, the Charlotte County School System’s S.T.E.M Camp program, EasterSeals SW FL and Dee Wheeler Scholarship Fund.

The World's Richest Tarpon Tournament is a Grande Tradition that has marked the history of the Boca Grande fishing culture for 37 years.  The Grande Tradition event is sponsored by Grande Aire Services, a company that is passionate about preserving Boca Grande's History. Join us in reflecting on the different eras of the World's Richest Tarpon Tournament with speakers from over the years.  We will be honoring Capt. Jimmy Robertson for his contribution as a local legend, tournament captain, and his involvement in the Boca Grande Fishery.  We hope to see you on this special evening of local island history! 

The Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce thanks all of the generous sponsors who supported the 2019 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament. There will be an educational program by our conservation partners: Bonefish Tarpon Trust and Captain’s For Clean Water, as well as food, refreshments, and a presentation by the tournament committee.

Call the Chamber office for more information: (941) 964-0568

Private Event for WRTT Anglers, Captains, Sponsors, and their Families.

Register for the 2019 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament at the Captain’s Party! There, you will pick up your team bag, hear the reading of the rules, and have the chance to purchase the tournament gear as well as win some pretty awesome raffles! You can expect food, refreshments, music and more! See you there!

Call the Chamber office for more info: (941) 964-0568.

(Venue TBD)

DAY 1 of WRTT

Anglers compete in the 37th Annual World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament in the legendary Boca Grande Pass. It is a live-bait only, catch and release, no-weigh, no-kill, traditional drift-fishing tarpon tournament that represents what Boca Grande’s fishing culture was build on. Join us as we witness these sportsmen go head to head in a Grande Tradition, The World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament.

Call the Chamber office for more information: (941) 964-0568.

DAY 2 of WRTT

Anglers compete in the 37th Annual World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament in the legendary Boca Grande Pass. It is a live-bait only, catch and release, no-weigh, no-kill, traditional drift-fishing tarpon tournament that represents what Boca Grande’s fishing culture was build on. Join us as we witness these sportsmen go head to head in a Grande Tradition, The World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament.

Call the Chamber office for more information: (941) 964-0568.

The Award Ceremony for the 2019 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament will be held at the Main Stage downtown at the Tarpon Festival at 9:00 pm. Join us in celebrating our winning Anglers and Captains! There will be live music following the ceremony to continue celebrating the 2019 Tarpon Season. See you there!

Event Date: Saturday June 22, 2019

6pm-9pm – Boca Grande Pass

Awards: Pink Docks following the event.

Entries must be received by: March 22nd, 2019

Cash Prizes awarded to first and second place.

*Entry Fee is $600.00 per boat. Field will be limited to a maximum of 25 boats. A captains signed registration form and total balance of entry fee must be paid before March 22nd, 2019.

*Cash entries only will be accepted after March 22nd, 2019.

* Payback will be 75% of total entry fees.

Prize money will be split 60% for first place, 40% for second place.

Example: Full field of 25 boats = $11,250 total prize money paid back.
First Place: $6,750
Second Place: $4,500
Third Place: Special Event