Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament - STT

Catch the largest kingfish and earn more than bragging rights. The Northside Sportfishing Club's Annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament, set for Sunday July 15th, at Hull Bay Hideaway, offers more ways to win and more cash and luxury gift prizes than any other inshore sports fishing tournament held in the Virgin Islands. In addition to fishing fun, there's a live band and beach party in the afternoon along with special Coors Light shoreside games. Plus, proceeds from the event benefits several charitable community organizations.

New this year - it's easier to join the fun. Due to limited parking at Hull Bay Beach, a continuous free shuttle compliments of Hull Bay Hideaway will run from the parking lot at Sib's On The Mountain to Hull Bay Beach from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Sunday July 15. Jump on or off at Sib's or anywhere along Hull Bay Road (Hwy 37).

Come one, come all - men, women, boys and girls - anglers of all skill levels are invited to enter, and everyone comes away a winner. "Like last year, we're expecting more than 300 anglers this year and are grateful for the positive response we've received from all our sponsors," says Monica Lester, tournament director. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, entry fees are low - $35 for adults, $20 for juniors ages 8 to 16.

Coors Light and Snapple, distributed by Bellows International, Ltd., are once again on board as Gold Sponsors of this event. They have donated over $100,000 in cash and product over the last fifteen years, and continue in a starring Gold Sponsor role this year.

Long time Silver Sponsor, Offshore Marine Services, the Yamaha and Yanmar distributor in the Virgin Islands, will donate cash for top prizes: $1000 for Best Boat, $1000 for Best Captain, $500 for Third Largest Kingfish, $500 for Best Male Angler, $250 for Best Junior Male Angler and $250 for Best Female Junior Angler.

The angler who catches the Second Largest Kingfish will pocket $750 cash, courtesy of Bronze Sponsor, FedEx.

In addition, FedEx generously provides the official angler hats that have proven to be both a keepsake as well as symbol of an ace angler.

Bronze Sponsor, N.E.M. (West Indies) lnsurance Limited - managed in the USVI by Red Hook Agencies, Inc. - will donate the spectacular $2,000 cash prize for the Largest Kingfish prize. In addition, Red Hook Agencies, Inc., will sponsor a $500 prize for the Best Female Angler.

Meanwhile, TOPA Insurance Services Inc., will sponsor $250 prizes for anglers catching the Largest Jack, Largest Barracuda, Largest Bonito, Largest Tuna, Largest Mackerel and Largest Dolphin.

As an added enticement for junior anglers this year, Hull Bay Hideaway will sponsor a special "Catch In The Hat" award for all registered junior anglers. This means that all junior angler names will be placed in a hat and nine names will be drawn at random. The first eight names will receive $50 cash and the ninth name $100 dollars, for a total award of $500. Juniors must be present at the Awards Ceremony to win.

All registered anglers will receive an official Bastille Day T-shirt thanks to the combined sponsorship support of Coors Light and Bellows International Ltd, Offshore Marine and N.E.M. (West Indies) Insurance Limited.

Once again, local hotels and restaurateurs have contributed overnight stays and dinners for two, respectively, as additional prizes.

Last year, 67 boats and 272 anglers - including 34 junior anglers - competed. St. Thomas' Jill Nicolini, fishing aboard Islander, won the Largest Kingfish prize with the catch of a 19.33-pounder. Can you catch more? Bigger? Come out and try!

Entry forms can be obtained from Bryan's Electrical and Neptune Fishing Supplies. A Captain's Meeting and Registration will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Hull Bay Hideaway on Friday July 13. Late Registration will also be held on Saturday July 14 at Hull Bay Hideaway from 12 noon until 7 p.m. Fishing starts at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday July 15, and ends at 12 noon, sharp. From noon until 2 p.m., while the weigh-master and judges go to work, all anglers can quench their thirst at either a Coors Light and Paradise Rum punch or Snapple open bar, depending on age. There will be drink, food and live music throughout the afternoon for community spectators who come down to see the catch and catch the fun for the day. Bands Cool Session will play from noon until 5 p.m., and a favorite band will entertain from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. The Awards Ceremony starts at 8 p.m. at Hull Bay Hideaway.

First organized by the Northside Sportfishing Club in 1987, the tournament has become one of the highlights of French Heritage Week festivities. The event benefits the Joseph Sibilly School, St. Thomas Rescue, The American Red Cross, Kidscope, and the Family Resource Center.