Florida Keys Angler Wins Nick Sheahan Dolphin Rodeo

AVERNIER, Florida Keys — Quill Turk of Tavernier, Florida, took top honors at the 16th annual Nick Sheahan Dolphin Rodeo that concluded Sunday, May 7.

Fishing with Captain Scott Stoky of Key Largo, Florida, on the All Stoked Up, Turk earned the win and $5,000 with a 28.9-pound dolphin fish. 

Elizabeth Raines of Key Largo placed second, earning $2,500 for a 26.8-pound dolphin. She fished aboard Mdala with Captain John Hagen of Islamorada, Florida. 

Eleven-year-old Miami resident Sebastian Gonzalez was named the tournament’s top junior angler. He caught an 8.5-pound fish to earn a trophy, new rod and reel combo and live shrimp. He fished with Captain Aaron Brower of Islamorada aboard Buzz On. 

David Fink of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, and Caleb Bokor of Islamorada each won trophies and 100 gallons of fuel for their largest wahoo (10.9 pounds) and largest tuna (4.9 pounds), respectively. 

The tournament, known as a family-friendly angling event to kick off dolphin fishing season, attracted 123 anglers on 41 boats. 

According to organizers, the annual angling challenge and auction has raised and donated $360,000 in scholarship funds in honor of Nick Sheahan, a Coral Shores High School student who died tragically in a shallow-water blackout diving accident in 2004.