ABOUT US

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting marine conservation off the beautiful and historic coast of Charleston, South Carolina. Our committee is made up of nine local, well-established business owners who share a deep passion for offshore fishing and preserving our marine environment.

The idea for this tournament was born in 2021 when we successfully hosted our first event. At that time, we hadn’t selected a charitable partner. Instead, we allocated entry fees toward prize winnings, covered essential operating expenses, and retained a small amount as working capital for the following year.

Everything changed in March 2021, when our community suffered a devastating loss with the passing of Captain David Redd—a beloved friend and highly respected member of Charleston’s sport fishing community. The grief remains profound. In response, our committee unanimously agreed that the best way to honor David’s memory was to dedicate the tournament to him. We pledged that all proceeds from the event would benefit the South Carolina Memorial Reef in his honor.

The South Carolina Memorial Reef is a man-made habitat supporting a wide range of marine life, from small reef fish to large pelagic species. It also serves as a lasting memorial to the legendary captains and fishermen who have gone before us.

In April 2022, we hosted our largest tournament yet, with 36 boats participating and over $60,000 raised for the South Carolina Memorial Reef. Thanks to 100% of the sponsorship proceeds, we proudly named a section of the reef “The David Redd Reef.”

Since then, we’ve held the tournament every year, growing in both participation and impact. In 2025, the tournament expands beyond a dolphin-only format to become a broader offshore competition with a conservation-first approach. It will now operate as a no-kill tournament—except for swordfish, which may still be harvested—further reinforcing our commitment to sustainable sport fishing and honoring David’s legacy.