Gilbert Laban Wins the Grand Prize at the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament

By Adisha Penn
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Though the fish were not biting like how they did last year at the Bastille Day King Fish Tournament, on Sunday, Gilbert Laban managed to reel in a kingfish larger than his competitors and snag first place prize at the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament at Hull Bay, earning himself a couple thousand dollars.

Gilbert Laban poses with the largest kingfish caught during the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament. A 26.9 pounder, he reeled in on the “Double Header 6.” (Photo courtesy Northside Sportfishing Club)

The tournament, hosted by the Northside Sportfishing Club, was first organized in 1988 and has become one of the most anticipated events of French heritage celebrations on St. Thomas. On tournament day, fishermen begin casting their lines in the water at 5:30 a.m. and have until noon to reel in the largest catch.

Fishermen on “Coco Lala” during the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)

On Sunday, as the noon deadline approached and the fishermen were still at sea, many found their buckets and coolers empty from not having caught any fish. However, an eager crowd ready to witness the catches of the day was near the shore, waiting to see what would be brought in from the ocean and who would win the largest kingfish award.

Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament workers measure a catch during the initial weigh in. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)

“Last year we had a lot of kingfish. Big ones,” said David Berry, one of the founders of the tournament. “This year, not so much.”

A fisherman on “Key Largo” holds up his catch during the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament.(Source photo by Adisha Penn)

However, that did not stop Gilbert Laban from reeling in a 26.9-pound kingfish on board the 38-foot Calypso, “Double Header 6,” seizing the first place award and a $2,000 cash prize.

“We left Sapphire Marina, headed south, and started trolling, Laban told the press. “It was between 6:30 and 7 a.m. that I caught the big one. It took about 10 minutes. We had a couple more bites after that, but nothing bigger.”

Fishermen on “Backlash” during the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)

Laban was not the only one who seized a noteworthy kingfish. He was one of 177 anglers on 40 boats, including 37 junior anglers, who fished in the tournament this year. Chelsea Aubain won the Best Female prize for her 23.85 kingfish while fishing on “Nonsense.”

Chelsea Aubain, right, and her brother Lawrence Aubain pose with their biggest catch of the day. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)
Chelsea Aubain, left, Lawrence Aubain and Larry Aubain pose with their winning catch. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)
Second place for largest kingfish went to Naya Turbe for a 24.90 pounder aboard “Let Her Go,” third place went to AJ LaPlace for a 22.55 pounder aboard “Mama Tried,” and fourth place went to Breanna Newkirk for a 21.10 pounder aboard “Suraia.” LaPlace also won the Best Junior Male prize, while Stella Butler took home the Best Junior Female prize for her 2.30-pound catch aboard “Early Bird.” Turbe won $1,500, LaPlace won $1,250 and Newkirk won $975.

Fishermen on “Mama Tried” during the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)
AJ Laplace, left, gets ready to place his winning catch down to get measured and weighed in. Darian DeLegarde also holds his catch. Both were on board “Mama Tried.” (Source photo by Adisha Penn)

Though the kingfish is the headliner of the tournament, participants can win titles in other areas as well. Each prize category won at least $500. Reanna Stiehler, aboard “Wicked Intention,” won the Largest Mackerel with her 6.35-pound catch, and Jake Raffa won Largest Bonito with his 4.25-pounder aboard “Early Bird.” Tyler Maltby won the Best Captain award as the “Double Header 6” reeled in five kingfish. The vessel also won the Best Boat award. Daryl Bryan and Bobby Laplace officially judged the tournament this year, officially weighing in the catches.

A fisherman on “Catch Up” holds his catch. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)
The event buzzed with attendees eating, drinking, and having lively conversations. Entertainment was provided by RVP Band, Obsession Band (joined by Freedom Band of St. Barths), DJ Jason Greaux, and Oleik “The Music Man” as event attendees congregated at The Shack and The Hideaway at Hull Bay, where the awards ceremony was held.

In total, 59 fish were caught, weighing 351 pounds. Out of that, 27 were kingfish, weighing 258 pounds.

Fishermen hold up their catch during the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)

Benefits from the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament go to Joseph Sibilly School, St. Thomas Rescue, Nana Baby Children’s Home, and the St. Thomas Fisherman’s Association, and college scholarships. Over the past three-plus decades, the nonprofit Northside Sportfishing Club’s annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament has donated over $230,000 to community organizations and scholarships.

Fishers on “Sea Weasel” hold up their catch during the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)

The Northside Sport Fishing Club would like to thank local businesses for assisting with the event. For more information on the organization, email nssfcvi@gmail.com or call
340-998-0854.