Steve's art work depicting his wish.

Steve with the shark he caught and his Dad.

Steve also visited SeaWorld.

STEVE'S WISH TO CATCH A BIG FISH

Nine-year-old Steve is an avid fisherman from West Allis who loves fishing in Wisconsin’s many beautiful lakes. But Steve’s dream was to fish for much bigger fish by going deep-sea fishing. His wish came true when the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Wisconsin sent Steve and his family to Daytona, Florida to go deep sea fishing in the Atlantic Ocean!

At Perry’s Ocean-Edge Resort in Daytona Beach, the family found rest and relaxation in a room that overlooked the very ocean in which they’d be fishing. They were able to spend quality time together exploring mysteries of the deep at SeaWorld and playing on the beach. Steve and his family then spent two days deep sea fishing aboard the Finest Kind II with Captain Paul, an experienced fisherman who once caught a 515-pound Blue Marlin.

The highlight of the wish started when Steve caught a snapper fish that had been partially eaten by a barracuda. Captain Paul showed the excited wish kid how to use the catch as bait for larger fish. Before long, Steve was reeling in the biggest catch of his life: a bonnethead shark that was nearly a yard long! It was an experience Steve will never forget.

Recently, Steve shared his powerful wish story with fellow-fishermen at the Bob Uecker Great Lakes Invitational. The event featured Bob Uecker, other local celebrities and 45 boats participating in the three-day event, which raised enough funds to grant seven wishes.

Steve’s wish was made possible thanks to the generosity of the Hug Family – Host Night 2009 and Dennis Evinrude, as well as the dedication of wish granters Shannon Dailey and Cyndi Babb.