Gilbert Laban Wins 34th Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament with 26.9-Pound Catch

Gilbert Laban Wins 34th Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament with 26.9-Pound Catch

Little did St. Thomas’ Gilbert Laban know that he’d be on the winner’s podium by nightfall when he cast off before sunrise to compete in the 34th Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament. “We left Sapphire Marina, headed south, and started trolling,” says Laban, who was aboard the 38′ Calypso, Double Header 6, with Capt. Tyler Maltby at the helm. “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.” At the Noon weigh-in at Hull Bay, Laban’s kingfish weighed in at 26.9 pounds, earning him the 2024 Largest Kingfish prize of $2,000 cash and numerous other rewards.

Record Participation at the 2024 Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament

Laban was among 177 anglers, including 37 junior anglers, competing on 40 boats at this year’s tournament, hosted by the Northside Sportfishing Club. National Geographic recognized this event in 2019 as one of the world’s ‘9 Bastille Day bashes that celebrate French culture.’ The tournament is a key part of the U.S. Virgin Islands French Heritage Week.

Top Kingfish Winners

• Second Largest Kingfish: Naya Turbe, aboard Let Her Go, with a 24.90-pound catch.
• Third Largest Kingfish: AJ LaPlace, fishing on Mama Tried, with a 22.55-pound catch.
• Fourth Largest Kingfish: Breanna Newkirk, with a 21.10-pound catch aboard Suraia.

Notable Awards

• Best Captain: Tyler Maltby, Double Header 6, for catching five kingfish.
• Best Boat: Double Header 6, for catching eight fish, winning the Best Boat award.
• Best Male Angler: Gilbert Laban, Double Header 6, with a 26.90-pound kingfish.
• Best Female Angler: Chelsea Aubain, aboard Nonsense, with a total catch of 23.85 pounds.
• Best Junior Male Angler: AJ LaPlace, Mama Tried, with a 22.55-pound catch.
• Best Junior Female Angler: Stella Butler, aboard Early Bird, with a 2.30-pound catch.

Other Species Catches

Though the focus was on kingfish, other species also brought in prizes. Reanna Stiehler, fishing from Wicked Intention, won the Largest Mackerel prize with a 6.35-pound catch. Jake Raffa, aboard Early Bird, took home the Largest Bonito prize with a 4.25-pound catch.

Post-Weigh-In Celebrations

After the weigh-in, the celebration continued at The Shack and The Hideaway at Hull Bay, with live performances by DJ Jason Greaux, Oleik – The Music Man, RVP Band, Obsession Band, and Freedom Band from St. Barth’s. The awards ceremony followed at 7 p.m., with a vibrant crowd celebrating the tournament’s success.

A Long Tradition of Giving Back

First organized in 1988 by the Northside Sportfishing Club, the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament has become one of the highlights of French Heritage Week in St. Thomas. The event benefits several community organizations, including the Joseph Sibilly School, St. Thomas Rescue, Nana Baby Children’s Home, and the St. Thomas Fisherman’s Association. It also funds college scholarships. Over the past three decades, the tournament has donated over $230,000 to local organizations and scholarship programs.

Key Sponsors and Supporters

The 34th annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament is sponsored by:

• Offshore Marine, the YAMAHA distributor in the Virgin Islands
• TOPA Masters Insurance/Guardian Insurance
• Budget Marine, the Caribbean’s Leading Chandlery
• The Hideaway at Hull Bay & The Shack
• Scoops & Brew Gelato and Coffee Bar
• Frank’s Electric
• Cyclone Fencing
• Amalie Car Rental
• Caribbean Gifts & Things
• Kings Plumbing
• St. Thomas Cargo
• The Fish Bar

The Northside Sport Fishing Club extends its gratitude to local businesses, including Nomad’s Bar & Grille, Fish Bar, and Sib’s on the Mountain, for their support in making the event a success.

For more information, email nssfcvi@gmail.com or call (340) 998-0854. Follow the event on Facebook and Instagram.

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2024 Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament Results

• 40 Boats
• 177 Anglers (including 37 Jr. Anglers)
• 59 Fish Caught, weighing 351 pounds
• 27 Kingfish Caught, weighing 258 pounds

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