St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Calling all fisherman! The 29th Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament – the inshore fishing tournament that offers the best prizes and attracts more participants that any other of its kind in the U.S. Virgin Islands – will take place on July 16.
First organized by the Northside Sportfishing Club in 1987, the tournament last year attracted 224 anglers, including 32 junior anglers, aboard 62 boats.
Gilbert Laban, of St. Thomas, reeled in the Largest Kingfish, a 37.55-pounder aboard the 34-foot Calypso, Emanuel. Laban took home many prizes which included $2,000 in cash. In addition, cash and prizes were awarded in several other categories that included Best Boat, Best Captain, Best Male, Best Female, Best Junior Male, Best Junior Female and other fish species such as Largest Barracuda, Bonito and Mackerel.
The fishing starts at 5:30 a.m. and ends at Noon, sharp, when the beachside party begins at Hull Bay Hideaway with food, music by Cool Sessions band and fun lasting right up until the Awards Ceremony at 8 p.m..
The Annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament is held in observation of the island’s French heritage. The tournament is one of the big reasons why online travel advisor, Hotwire.com, named St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands one of the Top 10 destinations in the world to celebrate Bastille Day.
As well as being a day of fishing and fun for the whole family, the Annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament benefits a variety of local organizations as well as provides educational scholarships.
For more information, call (340) 998-0854.
