Derby ramps up after a slow start
It’s already been an exciting time for anglers participating in the 76th Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, and this year’s age-old tradition brings back some classic Island events.
The bell-ringing ceremony that was...
Surfcasters gear up for Island Cup fishing tournament
The Martha’s Vineyard Surfcasters Association (MVSA) will again be pitted against the Nantucket Anglers Club (NAC) for the 17th annual Island Cup fishing tournament this year, which runs from June 12 to 19.
Similarly to...
Derby sees success despite uncertainty
The 75th Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby has seen tremendous success so far, even with a number of logistical challenges brought on by COVID-19.
According to an email from Derby president John Custer,...
Derby provides much-needed positivity to anglers
Despite stringent health protocols surrounding masks and distancing brought upon by the pandemic, Islanders are rejoicing in knowing that the fish are hungry, and the 75th Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby is...
‘It’s not going to be a normal Derby’
For 75 years, the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby has been a shining example of how special our Island home is, and that isn’t going to change.
But there will be some logistical...
The hunt is on for nighttime striped bass
There is nothing I would rather do on a foggy August night than fish for striped bass.
It’s a humbling, exciting, and sometimes frustrating experience, fishing in pitch-black. Obviously, we have headlamps, flashlights, lanterns, and...
Catch the blues this season
Picture this: You are casting your $25 popper off the back of a Jet Ski. You can see the concave head fluttering on the surface of the waves, imitating a distressed fish that would...
Vineyard tops Nantucket in fishing contest
The Martha’s Vineyard Surfcasters Association brought home the Island Cup trophy after a weeklong fishing battle with our rival island, Nantucket.
Of course, the tournament builds camaraderie, and is all about good fun and good...
Born from tragedy, fishing tournament survives
Down at the water’s edge, as two rival fishermen measure each other’s biggest catch of the day, a special bond can be found.
The Island Cup Fishing Contest between Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket (the other...
Fishing in the age of social distancing
One great thing about fishing is that you can do it alone. In my opinion, fishing alone is one of the most therapeutic and emotionally healing activities anyone could do. The constant anticipation, the...
A family that fishes together wins together
Islanders are known worldwide for their fishing prowess, and hundreds of anglers come from all over the world to compete in the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby every year.
For the Warburton family,...
Final Derby days
The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby is nearly complete, and the general consensus around the Island is, things have been slow.
Last week’s tropical storm system Melissa stirred things up, making the water...
Fishing responsibly
The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby is just about at its halfway point. As can be expected, some days have been more productive than others. Though striped bass have still been plentiful...
Derby’s in full swing
The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby is in full swing, and just a few days in, I for one have been giving it all I’ve got. Each year I look forward to...
Rods at the ready
Islanders love their fishing. Whether it's pulling endless snapper blues from the Big Bridge midsummer, or tying on an eel and trying your luck at a monster striper off the Menemsha docks, fishing is...
Fishing into fall
The bonito have held in strong, finally moving into Menemsha in the same kind of numbers that they were appearing down-Island for weeks. I was fortunate enough to squeeze in a few mid day...
Big game fishing
You would be hard-pressed to find an Island angler who can’t quote at least a couple of lines from the blockbuster movie filmed on the Vineyard, “Jaws.”
Although hooking a great white is entirely off...
Fishing is heating up
It’s been an interesting summer for me. Though fish have been caught consistently all summer, I haven’t been the one catching them. It’s not that I don’t want to be fishing, in fact I...
Trolling in style
Very few activities in this world are as liberating and exhilarating as cruising off State Beach at 30 knots on a personal watercraft (PWC).
Island waters become a playground — from the shallows of Katama...
Fishing with eels: Frustrating, fun, and fulfilling
So you’ve decided you are tired of snagging schoolie after schoolie from Tashmoo, and are ready to move up to the big leagues, and hook a massive fish.
There are a number of avenues you...