Count down to the 1999 Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament – a community-oriented day of fishing fun that has grown to draw the highest angler participation and deliver the largest cash and luxury prize booty of any one-day inshore tournament in the Virgin Islands. These prizes and more await winners of the annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament, set to begin at 5:30 a.m. Sunday, July 11, at St. Thomas' Hull Bay Beach.
New this year, a Vitel Cellular-sponsored $2,000 cash prize goes to the angler catching the Largest Kingfish, while a Federal Express-sponsored $750 cash prize is awarded for the Second Largest Kingfish. The Third Largest Kingfish nets $500 for the lucky angler. New too, is the prize of a 10' Caribe inflatable dinghy with 8HP Yamaha engine for the Best Captain, sponsored by Offshore Marine.
Anglers of all skill levels are invited to enter, and everyone comes away a winner. "We're expecting more than 350 anglers this year and are grateful for the positive response we've received from all our sponsors," says Monica Lester, tournament director. Thanks to sponsors Coors Light, distributed by Bellows International, Offshore Marine and Vitel Cellular, all anglers will receive an official Bastille Day/Guy Harvey T-shirt. Sponsor Federal Express will provide all anglers with official Bastille Day Tournament hats. The generosity of these sponsors also makes possible the low entry fees – $35 for adults, $20 for juniors ages eight to 16. And depending on age, all anglers can quench their thirst from Noon until 2 p.m. at either a Coors Light or Snapple open bar.
First organized by the Northside Sportfishing Club in 1987, the tournament benefits the Joseph Sibilly School, St. Thomas Rescue, The American Red Cross and The Victim's Advocate Program. Anglers from throughout the USVI participate in the tournament, as one of many activities celebrating French Heritage Week. Fishing starts at 5:30 a.m. and ends at 12 noon, sharp. While the weigh-master and judges go to work, participants can unwind with friends, family, neighbors and spectators to the beach side sounds of live music at Larry's Hull Bay Hideaway. The party continues into the evening, with the Awards Ceremony starting at 8 p. m.
Generous sponsor support also enables the Tournament to reward anglers catching the largest kingfish, but also those reeling in the Largest Jack, Largest Barracuda, Largest Bonito, Largest Tuna, Largest Mackerel and Largest Dolphin. In addition to Best Captain, there are also prizes for Best Boat, Best Female Angler, Best Male Angler, Best Junior Female Angler and Best Junior Male Angler!
Hawaiian Tropic, Hurricane Cove Bungalows and Worldwide Travel Inc. are donating a three-day, two-night Nevis get-away weekend. Fischer's Cove Beach Resort in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands, as well as many of St. Thomas' and St. Johns' finest resorts are also donating overnight stays.
A Captain's Meeting and Registration will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Larry's Hull Bay Hideaway on Friday, July 9. Entry forms can also be obtained from E&M Grocery, Bryan's Electrical and Neptune Fishing Supplies.
