Must-See Highlights Of The Northside Fishing Tournament, St. Thomas

I attended my first-ever fishing tournament at the Northside fishing tournament in Hullbay of St. Thomas this year. The event was a celebration of fishing, Frenchie culture, good food and drinks, and amazing music. Here’s why you should visit the Northside fishing tournament next year.

Fun and Community at the Northside Fishing Tournament

This year’s northside fishing tournament was nestled away in the beautiful Hullbay on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. In particular, the grounds of The Shack at Hullbay hosted the fun on land. While the competitors were off fishing, those of us on land had an opportunity to connect, enjoy live local music, participate in face painting, eat ice cream, and so much more. I also loved that The Shack changed its menu to be local for the day, consisting of peas and rice, barbecue chicken, and more so that all the proceeds went towards the Northside Sportfishing Club, the tournament’s host. 

The Frenchie Community’s Love for the Sea

While attending the tournament, I was amazed at the inclusivity throughout the Frenchie community. Young children won awards for their catches, which was admirable. It’s clear the generational impacts that fishing has had on the French community in St. Thomas and how they have sustained this tradition with each forthcoming generation. I also enjoyed seeing that women participated in the tournament and won awards. I am grateful to the Frenchie community for honoring our local seas and the abundance they offer our community. 

Arriving Late but Enjoying Every Moment

I’ll be honest — I thought I was arriving at the fishing tournament early at noon. But I came to understand that the tournament began around 4 AM. Ironically enough, I had missed the majority of the action. The judging was also complete when I arrived. Luckily, however, I saw one of the children with their catch, which was almost the same size as them. I also monitored the UVI marine biology school taking samples of the fish for sampling to ensure it is safe for consumption. Overall, I’m happy I attended the Northside tournament. It was unique and different, and I can’t wait to go again.