Reese Walker, a 12-year-old with a ‘lifetime’ of fishing experience, stunned the fishing world by capturing the recent Kiwanis Club of Homestead-South Dade’s 40th Annual Dolphin Days Family Fishing Tournament.
Walker, junior at Arvida Middle School in Kendall (where he made the Principal’s Honor Roll as he has done since elementary school), took home the first-place prize of $3,500 and another $100 for winning the Junior Angler division.
The boat he was on, All In—skippered by his father Michael Walker—won the prestigious Bucket of Bucks for total weight caught (220 pounds) for $765.
Walker, who had to anxiously wait for nearly 40 minutes (for other entries to dock and weigh-in) to see if his 14.0-pound catch would hold up for first place, was relieved when he was declared the winner.
“Wow, this is just great,” the young angler said, wearing a relieved look along with a huge smile.
“Winning a tournament like this is all about experience and how good the day is. The hardest part of the day was waiting.”
And the 12-year-old—who intends on putting his prize money towards the purchase of his own boat—has been fishing since he was four. This year marked the sixth time he has entered the Dolphin Days event, which is co-sponsored by the Military Affairs Council.
Other division winners included Brandon Wilcox, Jr. (Pee Wee Angler and Non-Dolphin category), and Maria Velazquez (Female Angler).
The 40th Annual Dolphin Days Fishing Tournament began two days before the actual fishing competition with the Captains Party kick-off event in the Champions Club at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The evening featured Miami Heat mascot Burnie (and the Heat Dancers), a wide variety of silent auction items (a 5-day 4-night vacation to Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic was again the most popular item) and the Kiwanis Club’s presentation of college scholarships to high school seniors.
“The success of this event is due to hard working individuals from Kiwanis, the MAC and people throughout our community,” said event Chair Erica Avila.
“This has truly grown to become one of the premier events in the Homestead-South Dade area.”
For further information on the Kiwanis Club of Homestead-South Dade, including volunteering and membership, phone (305) 775-6575.
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