All anglers should mark their calendars now for Sunday, July 10. This is when the Annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament – the one-day inshore fishing tournament that than any other of its kind in the U.S. Virgin Islands – will take place at Hull Bay Hideaway, St. Thomas. The annual tournament is one of many activities that celebrate French Heritage Week in July.
First organized by the Northside Sportfishing Club in 1987, the tournament last year attracted nearly 200 anglers, including 29 junior anglers, aboard 45 boats.
First organized by the Northside Sportfishing Club in 1987, the tournament last year attracted nearly 200 anglers, including 29 junior anglers, aboard 45 boats.
Last year, Patrick Berry of St. Thomas reeled in the largest kingfish, a 20.81-pounder aboard the 18-foot Mariner, Sea Bird. Berry took home prizes such as $2,000 in cash. In addition to this, there are over a dozen prize categories that include Best Boat, Best Captain, Best Male, Best Female, Best Junior Male, Best Junior Female and other fish species.
Fishing starts at 5:30 a.m. and ends at noon, sharp, when the beachside party begins at Hull Bay Hideaway, with food, music and fun lasting right up until the time of the Awards Ceremony.
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 being a day of fishing and fun for the whole family, the Annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament benefits a variety of local organizations.
For more information, call 998-0854.