Making its historic return in 2012, on its 30th anniversary, the World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament and public festival came back in a big way with a renewed mission of conservation, education and sportsmanship. By combining the high-stakes allure of competitive, big-game sport fishing with practical conservation principles and informative entertainment, this trend-setting event is pioneering its way as a model for tarpon tournaments around the world.

This year, anglers will enter a two-day tournament May 23-24 with up to four anglers per team, and they will be competing for thousands in cash and prizes. Competitors will follow catch-and-release procedures designed for quick releases and the post-release welfare of all tarpon. Winners will be determined by the highest total number of tarpon successfully released, each of which are officially recorded when the captain or mate touches the leader and immediately releases the tarpon. An observer, professionally trained in tarpon identification, proper release procedures and tournament rules, will accompany each team throughout the competition.