July 16, 2007 – Nikolas Murdjeff, of Boca Raton, Florida, fished last year's Annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament and caught nothing.
He got skunked. Not so this year.
The 14-year-old, who has spent summers with his father in the Virgin Islands for the past seven years, reeled in a 32.54-pound kingfish from aboard a 30-foot Waters Edge Sports rental boat to win the Largest Kingfish and Best Junior Male Angler prizes, according to a press release from the Northside Sportfishing Club.
"It was pouring rain when we headed out this morning. I knew it was a big fish from how hard it fought, but I didn't know exactly how big it was until I got it in the boat after a 10 to 15 minute fight. By then, all I could think was, 'I think I caught the winner'," Murdjeff said."
For his efforts, Murdjeff pocketed $2000 in cash for his Largest Kingfish, sponsored by N.E.M. (West Indies) Insurance Limited, managed in the USVI by Red Hook Agencies Inc, and also a weekend for two at Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino, with airline tickets compliments of Seaborne Airlines. He also won another $250 in cash from Offshore Marine and Yanmar for his Best Junior Male win.
The Second Largest Kingfish prize went to Ernest Quetel Jr., who caught a 29.40-pounder aboard 4Q2. Quetel won $750 in cash sponsored by FedEx Express.
Junior angler, Peter Turbe, fishing aboard WETKYAT, reeled in a 29.17-pounder to win the Third Largest Kingfish cash prize of $500, sponsored by Offshore Marine and Yanmar.
With 16 fish caught total, 5 of them kingfish, Capt. Howard Griswold aboard Gone Ketchin, won Best Boat and Best Captain, and were awarded $1000 cash for each title, from Offshore Marine and Yanmar.
Ernest Quetel Jr.'s, catch of a total of 76.29-pounds of fish, also earned him Best Male Angler, and a $500 cash prize from Offshore Marine and Yanmar.
Marcia Griswold, aboard Gone Ketchin, reeled in a total of 62.39-pounds of fish to pick up the Best Female Angler award and a $500 cash prize from Red Hook Agencies.
Also, Joanica Aubain caught 18.83-pounds of fish from aboard Rosaly to win Best Junior Female Angler and $250 cash from Offshore Marine and Yanmar.
Although the tournament is focused around kingfish, other species earned anglers $250 cash each courtesy of TOPA Insurance Services Inc. Albertina Bryan caught the Largest Jack, a 10.88-pounder, from aboard Livin Rich. Kory Brin reeled in the Largest Barracuda, a 22.78-pounder from aboard Frenzy. The Largest Bonito was caught aboard Seabee by junior angler, Charlie Proctor, and was 4.22-pounds. Marcia Griswold, fishing from Gone Ketchin, caught the Largest Tuna, an 8.86-pounder. Ryan Mertins reeled in the Largest Mackerel, a 9.61-pounder, from Great White II. No dolphins were caught this year.
Winners also receive overnight stays at local hotels, dinners for two, and a variety of luxury gifts and excursions all generously donated by the Virgin Islands' business community.
Judges Herman Richardson and Kevin LaPlace Sr. officially weighed in the catches.
After weigh-in, the fun continued onshore at Hull Bay Hideaway with special games – like the couple's beer run and a crunch the nuts contest – all sponsored by Coors Light, distributed by Bellows International Ltd.
The Cool Sessions band entertained throughout the afternoon. Later, the crowds gathered inside Hull Bay Hideaway for the awards ceremonies at 8 p.m., where the Obsession Band entertained.
All prizewinners except junior anglers were eligible for a grand prize drawing of a Caribbean cruise for two compliments of Royal Caribbean International. The winner was Marcia Griswold, aboard Gone Ketchin, who caught the Largest Tuna.
All 34 registered junior anglers were eligible for a special "Catch In The Hat" award. In this award, sponsored by Hull Bay Hideaway and Dan Perry, the first sixteen names drawn from a hat received $50 cash and the last two names called won $100 dollars each.
Each year, the Northside Sportfishing Club makes donations to community organizations and individuals. This year's beneficiaries were Joseph Sibilly School, St. Thomas Rescue, the American Red Cross, Kidscope and the Family Resource Center. The club also awarded college scholarships Shanelle Brin and Jason A. Brin.
2007 Results
63 Boats
343 Anglers (includes 34 Jr. Anglers)
119 Fish Caught, 991.78-pounds
39 Kingfish Caught, 428.53-pounds
Placement….. Angler…… Lbs…… Boat
Largest Kingfish/ Nikolas Murdjeff… 32.54… Waters Edge Sports
2nd Largest Kingfish/ Ernest Quetel Jr…. 29.40… 4Q2
3rd Largest Kingfish/ Peter Turbe… 29.17… WETKYAT
Best Boat/ Howard Griswold… 16 fish… Gone Ketchin
Best Captain/ Howard Griswold… 5 kingfish… Gone Ketchin
Best Female/ Marcia Griswold… 62.39… Gone Ketchin
Best Male/ Ernest Quetel Jr…. 76.29… 4Q2
Best Junior Male/ Nikolas Murdjeff… 32.54… Waters Edge Sports
Best Junior Female/ Joanica Aubain… 18.83… Rosaly
Largest Jack/ Albertina Bryan… 10.88… Livin Rich
Largest Barracuda/ Kory Brin… 22.78… Frenzy
Largest Bonito/ Charlie Proctor… 4.22… Seabee
Largest Tuna/ Marcia Griswold… 8.86… Gone Ketchin
Largest Mackerel/ Ryan Mertin… 9.61… Great White
Largest Dolphin/ – – –
