Junior Angler Marina Daniel Lands Tournament’s Biggest Fish as Team “The Reel Deal” Wins University of Miami Celebrity Fishing Tournament
ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys (July 1, 2025) — When 16-year-old Marina Daniel of Key Largo hauled in a 21.1-pound mahi, she delivered the biggest fish of the tournament and helped propel Team “The Reel Deal” to victory at the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & Museum’s 2025 Celebrity Fishing Tournament.
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 just 0.3 pounds separating the top two teams.
Tournament Results:
- 1st Place: Team “The Reel Deal” - 38.2 lb total - $11,591
- 2nd Place: Team “Nuff Said” - 37.9 lb total - $5,620
- 3rd Place: Team “Three Little Birds” - 23.7 lb total - $1,969
- Largest Single Fish: Marina Daniel - 21.1 lb Mahi
- Top Male Angler: Travis Phelps - 16.3 lb Mahi
- King of Fish (Blackfin Tuna): Justin Matson - 24.2 lb
The three-day event brought together over 350 fans, anglers, and UM Hall of Famers to Islamorada, combining championship fishing with Hurricane pride. Weekend festivities included a Thursday night gathering at UM Hall of Famer Gary Dunn’s Ocean View Inn, where over 100 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.
Friday’s Fan Fest at Three Waters Resort and Marina featured raffles, auctions, and family activities. At the same time, Saturday’s 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 Captain Brian Cone’s “Contagious” earned the King of Fish award, while the same team claimed an additional $6,450 for their multi-species Masters of the Ocean prize with a combined total of 72.0 pounds.
UM Sports Hall of Fame President Mark Drobiarz and Hall of Famer Mike Ward presented awards at Saturday evening’s 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 will return to Islamorada from June 25 to 27, 2026.
For more information, visit CanesFish.com.
High-resolution images, captions and photo credits are available at this link.
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Sixteen-year-old Marina Daniel (Key Largo, FL) beams with her trophy for her 21.1-pound mahi, the tournament’s largest fish, helping “The Reel Deal” clinch first place. (Photo by Jeff Jarboe Photography)
Captain Luis Jimenez and Team “The Reel Deal” celebrate their first-place win, earning $11,591 with a three-fish total of 38.2 pounds, anchored by Marina Daniel’s 21.1-pound mahi. (Photo by Jeff Jarboe Photography)
Captain Cecil Everett and Team “Nuff Said” earned second place with 37.9 pounds, finishing just 0.3 pounds shy of the top spot and taking home $5,620. (Photo by Jeff Jarboe Photography)
Team “Three Little Birds” shows off the mahi catch that secured their third-place finish and $1,969 in prize money. (Photo by Jeff Jarboe Photography)
Justin Matson and Team “Contagious” celebrate their Masters of the Ocean win with a combined 72 pounds of multi-species catch, earning $6,450 in prize money. (Photo by Jeff Jarboe Photography)
: University of Miami Hall of Famers and Canes mascot Sebastian the Ibis join fans and anglers at the UM Sports Hall of Fame & Museum’s 2025 Celebrity Fishing Tournament in Islamorada. (Photo by Jeff Jarboe Photography)
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