David Stuedell Wins Bastille Day Kingfish Tourney With 45.55 Pound Catch

ST. THOMAS — Two hours after lines in, David Stuedell felt a tug on his line unlike any other he’s experienced in more than two decades of fishing in this year’s 30th anniversary Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament. On the other end of his line was the 45.55-pound whopper that ultimately earned Stuedell the Largest Kingfish prize. Stuedell, a part-time St. Thomas resident, was fishing aboard the 39’ SeaVee Silver Fox with Captain Chris Berry at the helm. He was one of 167 anglers, including 30 junior anglers, on 54 boats who fished in this Northside Sportfishing Club-hosted tournament named one of the Top Ten Best Ways to Celebrate Bastille Day in the World by online travel advisor, Hotwire.com.

“We caught several smaller kingfish early. Then, the tides were good, so we headed back through the same area, which was west of Savannah. That’s when something pulled my line like you wouldn’t believe. I knew right away it was a good-sized fish,” tells Stuedell, who first fished the tournament in 1992, owned Hull Bay Hideaway from 2000 to 2005, and for the past few years makes a point to travel back to St. Thomas in July to fish the tournament. “I’ve been trying for years to win this tournament.”

Stuedell’s Largest Kingfish earned him $2000 in cash, plus many other prizes.

The Second Largest Kingfish prize went to Nathan Gatcliffe, aboard Double Header I, who caught a 26.50-pounder. Gatcliffe also landed Best Junior Male Angler, catching a total of 8 fish collectively weighing 52.50-pounds.

Andrea Tromben, fishing aboard Boston Whaler, reeled in a 24.20-pounder to win Third Largest Kingfish, while it was Leo Vincent who caught the Fourth Largest Kingfish, a 24.00-pounder, also aboard Boston Whaler.

The catch of 9 kingfish earned Capt. Matt Driscoll, aboard Double Header 40, the Best Captain award.

Meanwhile, catching 26 fish total of the tournament’s eligible species, won Capt. Jonathan Gatcliffe driving Double Header I the Best Boat award.

Raymond Peterson, on Pier Pressure, caught 7 fish weighing 88.10-pounds to earn Best Male Angler, while the Best Female prize went to Andrea Tromben, who caught a total of 6 or 65.70-pounds of fish, aboard Boston Whaler.

Isabelle Gatcliffe set a new tournament record for Best Junior Female with her catch of 75.90-pounds of fish aboard Double Header I.

Although the tournament is focused around kingfish, other species earned anglers cash and prizes. Noah Mydlinski, a junior angler fishing aboard Dogsled caught the Largest Barracuda, at 18.85-pounds. Matt Driscoll, fishing from Double Header 40, won Largest Bonito, with his 6.10-pounder. Finally, Scott Newland caught the Largest Mackerel, a 5.45-pounder, aboard Double Header 40.

In addition to cash, prizes and trophies, winners also received a variety of luxury gifts generously donated by tournament sponsors and the island’s business community.

Over $13,000 was awarded in cash and prizes this year.

Adult and junior anglers who didn’t earn a prize still had a chance to win in the ‘Lucky-Unlucky’ and the ‘Catch in the Hat’ drawings.

Judges Daryl Bryan and Kevin Laplace, Sr., officially weighed in the catches.

After weigh-in, the fun continued onshore at Hull Bay Hideaway. Cool Session Brass entertained throughout the afternoon. Later, crowds gathered inside Hull Bay Hideaway for the Awards Ceremony at 8 p.m., where the Dem Fellas band entertained.

The 30th Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament is sponsored by Coors Light and Captain Morgan, distributed by Bellows International; Offshore Marine, the YAMAHA distributor in the Virgin Islands; NEMWIL and Red Hook Agencies, Inc.; TOPA Insurance Services Inc.; Budget Marine, the Caribbean’s Leading Chandlery; Hawaiian Tropic; Scoops & Brew Gelato and Coffee Bar; Frank’s Electric; Amalie Car Rental; and Hull Bay Hideaway.

First organized by the Northside Sportfishing Club in 1987, the tournament has become one of the highlights of French Heritage celebrations on St. Thomas. The event benefits the Joseph Sibilly School, St. Thomas Rescue, Civil Air Patrol and Nana Baby Children’s Home, as well as provides college scholarships. Over the past nearly three decades, the nonprofit Northside Sportfishing Club by way of its annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament has donated over $189,000 to community organizations. For information, Email [email protected] or call (340) 998-0854.

Feature Image: David Stuedell and his Largest Kingfish, a 45.55-pounder. (Credit: Dean Barnes)