On Saturday, 165 anglers, 14 years old and younger, competed in the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club’s Annual Kids’ Fishing Tournament in Red Hook on St. Thomas.
Mere minutes before the noon line’s out time in the tournament, 13-year-old Earl Questel came running to the weigh station set up at IGY’s American Yacht Harbor Marina with what was said to be a “whopper.” Professionals from the Department of Planning & Natural Resources Fish & Wildlife Division weighed the Tarpon at 3690 grams (8.1 pounds), according to the press release.
“It was there swimming in a school by the dock,” said Questel, who earned first place in the tournament for the biggest fish by weight. “It came to my bait, and I caught it.” The tournament was free to junior anglers and promoted the sport and life skills of recreational fishing and catch-and-release conservation, the press release stated.
Tots to teens, accompanied by parents and friends, were equipped with Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club-provided handlines, bait, and buckets as they spread out along the marina docks and tried their luck. Club members walked the docks and helped junior anglers and adults alike with everything from fishing techniques to untangling lines. It didn’t take long for the fish-catching action to happen, the release stated.
“I’ve caught a lot of fish,” said 7-year-old Kain LaPlace, one of the entrants to catch a fish shortly after lines-in at 9 a.m. “I like being outside.” LaPlace earned an Honorable Mention prize for his 465-gram Cubera Snapper, it said.
Six-year-old Kai James was equally excited, saying, “I want to catch an eel.”
K’nyaii Rochester did just that by reeling in a 1425-gram Green Moray Eel, earning the Most Unique Fish prize, the release stated.
Christian Bryan,10, brought his catch of a Mangrove Snapper to the weigh station. “I like fishing. It’s yummy.” Bryan made several more trips to the scales, ultimately earning three prizes. These were second place in the Biggest Fish for his 660-gram snapper, Most Fish by Total Weight at 2180 grams, and Most Fish by Count at 19, it said.
Ten-year-old Lynnea Steuerwald tied with Bryan on Most Fish by Count and earned herself a prize, it said.
Ma’liayah Bryan,9, enjoyed the tournament, saying she wanted to participate because “I like to catch fish.”
Bryan and her mother, Masairah Francis, were among the Girl Scouts parent volunteers of Troop 55407 who took part, the release stated.
“Many people think that Girl Scouts only do girly things. We also do more adventurous things like camping, hiking, and fishing,” Francis said.
Grunt, snapper, tarpon, and tomtates numbered among the day’s catch. Junior anglers practiced conservation by keeping their fish in a bucket of seawater until weighed and then released their catch back into the sea, according to the release.
The tournament’s overwhelming success was evident on the young faces as they ate pizza and drank cold drinks following the noon call for lines out. Prize giving followed shortly after, it said.
“The Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club provides handlines and buckets, while Neptune Fishing Supplies donates fishing rods as prizes so kids and families can continue fishing year-round. It’s what we as a Club are all about. That is, passing these skills and a love of fishing to the next generation,” said Kelvin Bailey Jr., president of the VIGFC Board of Directors.
The Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club’s Kid’s Fishing Tournament was sponsored by IGY’s American Yacht Harbor and Island Time Pub, with prize donations from Neptune Fishing Supplies, Lattes in Paradise, Ocean Surfari, Shen Dragon, Red Hook Dive Center, Coki Dive Center, the St. Thomas Swimming Association, Neptune Fishing Supplies, Nomads Bar & Grille and Splash Zone, the release stated.
The Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club’s next event will be the Wahoo Windup on Saturday, Nov. 9.
For more information, call (340) 775-9144 or Email: usvigfc@gmail.com. Check out photos from the event on Facebook.
Results
By Weight
1st Earl Questel, 3690-gram Tarpon
2nd Christian Bryan, 660-gram Mangrove Snapper
3rd Kyle Bryan, 535-gram Mangrove Snapper
Honorable Mention – Kain LaPlace, 465-gram Cubera Snapper
Most Fish Caught by Weight
1st Christian Bryan, 2180-grams
Most Fish Caught Total
1st tie Christian Bryan – 19
1st tie Lynnea Steuerwald – 19
2nd Stevie Anaclerio – 17
3rd Sage Steuerwald – 12
Smallest Catch
1st Cam Martinez, 5-grams, Yellowtail Snapper
Most Unique Fish
1st K’nyaii Rochester, Green Moray Eel
Last Fish Caught
1st Earl Questel, 3690-gram Tarpon
