Hull Bay St Thomas

Ernest Quetel reels in top prizes at kingfish tourney

ST. THOMAS - Third time was the charm for local angler Ernest Quetel.

When the official weigh-in was complete at the 23rd annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament on Sunday at Hull Bay Hideaway, it was Quetel of St. Thomas who reeled in the largest kingfish and won the $2,000 grand prize.

Quetel caught a 27.38-pounder aboard the Rambo 27, Alpha-Q. Quetel's sons, Ernest Jr. and Derek, whom he fished with this year, won the same largest kingfish prize in 1997 and 2008, respectively.

The Quetels were among the 213 anglers, including 34 junior anglers, on 62 boats who competed in the one-day offshore fishing tournament. The Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament is one of the most popular French Heritage Week activities, a week observed this year from last Friday to Thursday.

While Derek captained and Ernest Jr. and Sr. manned the rods, the Quetels headed out to the south side of St. Thomas for the 5:30 a.m. lines in.

"There was a lot of seaweed and it would get hooked up on the bait," Quetel Jr. said. "That was harassing. It was also rainy, windy, and the seas were rough."

The less-than-perfect fishing conditions didn't dampen Quetel Sr.'s ability to reel in a whopper kingfish.

"I knew it was a big one when I hooked up because of the drag on the reel," he said. "Preparation and planning ahead - it's a family recipe."

For his efforts, Quetel Sr. pocketed $2,000 for the largest kingfish. The second largest kingfish prize also went to Quetel Sr., who caught a 23.91-pounder and won $1,000 for that haul. Mark Bistarkey, fishing aboard Fish Whistle, reeled in a 19.95-pounder to win the third largest kingfish prize: $850.

With 10 fish (91.65 pounds) caught total, Danny Berry, aboard Rosaly, won the best boat award and was awarded $1,000. Meanwhile, the catch of four kingfish (11.27 pounds) earned David Berry, aboard Summer Ann, the best captain award and $1,000.

Peter Turbe's catch of a total of 91.65 pounds of fish, aboard Rosaly, earned him best male angler and $750. It was Rosie Greaux, aboard Red Bikini, who reeled in a total of 42.34 pounds of fish to pick up the best female angler award and $750.

The best junior male prize of $250 went to Nathan Gatcliffe, who caught 59.39 pounds of fish aboard Double Header.

Nicole Berry won the best junior female prize of $250 with the catch of 9.87 pounds of fish, aboard We Be Fishing.

Although the tournament is focused around kingfish, other species earned anglers $525. Ashley Bryan caught the largest jack, a 14.74-pounder, from aboard Livin Rich; Eli James reeled in the largest barracuda, an 18.83-pounder from aboard Great White; and the largest bonito was caught aboard Double Header II by Malin LaPlace, and it weighed 3.87 pounds.

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