HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. — LeVar Daniel picked up fishing at a very young age, not knowing it could become something more than just a hobby.
What You Need To Know
- LeVar Daniel placed first and second in his first-ever fishing tournaments
- He started fishing as a way to stay off the streets
- He hopes to one day compete in national tournaments across the country
Daniel's uncle introduced him to the sport as a means to stay out of bad areas.
"It’s kind of rough around these areas, and so I always wanted to be away from it. I did get involved some, but I never wanted to be there when I was there," said Daniel. "This refuge right here helped me stay away from the street life and keep myself safe in doing what I was doing.”
Daniel is now 41 and even started his own Facebook fishing page named "Fishing with LeVar Daniel" after a suggestion from a friend. He did it as a way to show how much he enjoyed it and he has even dabbled in some tournaments where he found success as well.
"The very first tournament I got in was outdoor in the bluegrass. It was a big bass tournament strictly for Kentucky for the entire year of 2020, and I ended up coming in second place for that tournament," said Daniel. "The second one, the bank kayak pond catfish tournament, and I came in first in that one so it was exciting."
Daniel said he hopes to one day be fishing on the grand stage as he sometimes is out for as long as eight hours. He also is looking to share his knowledge with other families as well.
“I like teaching older people how to fish so they can teach their kids how to fish because if I teach them, their kids can teach their kids," said Daniel. "I just want to keep it alive because of what it's done for me in my life.”
Daniel said he hopes to enter up to 20 tournaments in 2022 and has even gained more than 20 sponsors thus far.