March 21, 2003 – Mark your calendars. The one-day inshore fishing tournament that offers the best prizes and attracts more participants than any other in the Virgin Islands, the Annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament, will be held July 13 at Hull Bay Hideaway.
First organized by the Northside Sportfishing Club in 1987, the tournament has attracted more than 400 anglers aboard more than 100 boats from throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Bastille Day tournament is one of many activities celebrating French Heritage Week.
Last year Danny LaPlace, aboard the Sea-ducer, reeled in the largest kingfish, a 26.72-pounder. LaPlace was only one of more than a dozen prize winners, as there are also awards in categories such as best boat, best captain, lady anglers, junior anglers, and other fish species like jack, bonito, tuna, mackerel and dolphin.
Fishing starts at 5:30 a.m. and ends at noon, when the beach party begins, with food, music and fun lasting right up until the times for the awards ceremony.
The Annual Bastille Day tournament benefits the Joseph Sibilly School, St. Thomas Rescue, the American Red Cross and The Victim Advocate Program. Last year, the successful of the event enabled the Northside Sportfishing Club to also donate two college scholarships to local students and $10,000 for the reconstruction of the Estate Dorothea Tot Lot.
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