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HomeNewsArchivesBASTILLE DAY KINGFISH TOURNAMENT SET FOR JULY 11

BASTILLE DAY KINGFISH TOURNAMENT SET FOR JULY 11

April 24, 2004 – Anglers should mark their calendars now for Sunday, July 11, when the Annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament — the one-day inshore fishing tournament that offers the best prizes and attracts more participants than any other in the Virgin Islands — will take place at Hull Bay Hideaway on St. Thomas.
First organized by the Northside Sportfishing Club in 1987, the tournament last year attracted 266 anglers, including 32 junior anglers, aboard 73 boats that collectively caught 250 fish. That year, Larry Aubain aboard the Lady Marie reeled in the whopping Largest Kingfish — a 36.66-pounder — and took home prizes such as $2,000 in cash and a 7-day Caribbean cruise. Aubain won in only one of more than a dozen prize categories. There are also awards for Best Boat, Best Captain, lady anglers, junior anglers and other fish species including jack, bonito, tuna, mackerel and dolphin.
This year the fishing will start at 5:30 a.m. and end at 12 noon sharp, when the beachside party begins at Hull Bay Hideaway, with food, music and fun lasting right up to the awards ceremony.
The Annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament is one of many activities that celebrate French Heritage Week in July.
As well as being a fun-pack day for the whole family, the Annual Bastille Day tournament benefits the Joseph Sibilly School, St. Thomas Rescue, the American Red Cross and the Victim's Advocate Program. Last year, the success of the event enabled the Northside Sportfishing Club to also donate two college scholarships to local island students and $12,500 for the reconstruction of the Estate Dorothea Tot Lot.
For more information, contact tournament director Monica Lester at 774-5206.

Editor's note: This article was prepared for the Source by Carol Bareuther.

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