When 16-year-old Marina Daniel of Key Largo, Fla., hauled in a 21.1-pound mahi, she delivered the biggest fish and helped propel team Reel Deal to victory at the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & Museum’s 2025 Celebrity Fishing Tournament.
The June 29-21 tourney was based out of Islamorada in the Florida Keys.
Daniel’s tournament-topping catch anchored her team’s winning total of 38.2 pounds, earning them $11,591 and the championship trophy. The victory came despite challenging conditions with moderate winds and 6-foot seas that had anglers reporting “hundreds of fish but no big ones” throughout the day.
The competition proved intense, with second-place team Nuff Said weighing in just six minutes later at 37.9 pounds, a razor-thin margin of 0.3 pounds separating the top two teams.
Results:
• 1st place: Reel Deal, 38.2 pounds total, $11,591
• 2nd place: Nuff Said, 37.9 pounds total, $5,620
• 3rd place: Three Little Birds, 23.7 pounds total, $1,969
• Largest single fish: Marina Daniel, 21.1-pound mahi
• Top male angler: Travis Phelps, 16.3-pound mahi
• King of Fish (blackfin tuna): Justin Matson, 24.2 pounds
The three-day event brought together more than 350 fans, anglers and UM Hall of Famers to Islamorada, Fla., combining championship fishing with Hurricane pride. Weekend festivities included a gathering at UM Hall of Famer Gary Dunn’s Ocean View Inn, where 100-plus attendees, including coaching legend Jimmy Johnson and celebrity athletes, enjoyed beachside dining alongside Sebastian the Ibis, UM’s recently inducted Mascot Hall of Fame member.
Fan Fest at Three Waters Resort and Marina featured raffles, auctions and family activities. The fishing action targeted mahi, blackfin tuna, kingfish and wahoo. Families enjoyed complimentary access to Theater of the Sea while anglers battled the elements.
Justin Matson’s 24.2-pound blackfin tuna aboard Capt. Brian Cone’s Contagious earned the King of Fish award, while the same team claimed an additional $6,450 for their multispecies Masters of the Ocean prize with a combined total of 72 pounds.
UM Sports Hall of Fame president Mark Drobiarz and Hall of Famer Mike Ward presented awards during a beachside ceremony, with legendary Hurricanes announcer Jay Rokeach serving as master of ceremonies.
The University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & Museum’s Celebrity Fishing Tournament returns to Islamorada from June 25 to 27, 2026.
