Topic: Sport & Outdoors

There's no better way to start the day.

Martha's Vineyard is the place to be if you are a fisherman says Janet Messineo of Martha's Vineyard Fishing Charters and Taxidermy. Finally, the east wind is turning around and the bait is starting to move. The shore fishing has been slow, but each night one or two 20-pound fish are being weighed in for the Derby. The false albacore and bonito have been eluding the hundreds of anglers all over the island. One bonito a bit over three pounds had been the only bonito from the shore weighed in up until yesterday when Jared Stobie found a 7.22-pound bonito. These little tuna are such a challenge from the shore. The boats, however, are not having the same trouble as anglers from shore and are consistently finding both albies and bonito.

The bluefish are starting to show up off the south shore and some decent stripers came into weigh-in to change the leader board. Check out mvderby.com and follow along as the leader board is updated daily.

Check back every Thursday for a new report.

- Tee Clarkson

Fish beware, kids are lurking — and casting.

What a first week of the 5-week MV Derby! Lots of smiling faces as false albacore are keeping the daytime spin and fly fisherman quite entertained according to Janet Messineo of Martha's Vineyard Fishing Charters and Taxidermy. Fishing in the evening and into dark has been quite rewarding. Now that the commercial season for striped bass and bluefish has been closed, the only way to eat some nice fresh fish is to know someone who is fishing them recreationally.

The big stripers are confounding the Gay Head boat fisherman. Has the NE wind blown the fish back to RI? More shall be revealed. All in all, there are lots of fish to keep everyone in a good mood.

The Kids Derby was an incredible day that had hardly any wind and bright sunshine. At least 250 kids armed with 3-ft zebco rods lined the OB Ferry pier. Each child went home with something! An incredible day for all involved.

Check back every Thursday for a new report.

- Tee Clarkson

The Derby's in Full Swing!

“Game On! Says Janet Messineo of Martha's Vineyard Fishing Charters and Taxidermy The 4WD buggies loaded to the hilt and trailered boats are filing off the ferry daily! Friends from Maine to California are arriving to fish the annual MV Striped Bass and Bluefish derby. Martha's Vineyard has been transformed from a summer resort to a fishing community once again. Fishermen in waders and buttoned derby hats are lining up for coffee and candy bars at convenience stores all over the vineyard. There is already a 32 pound striped bass from the shore and Charles Ogletree is leading the boat division so far. Go, Charles. If you come to the vineyard stop by the weigh-in station in Edgartown and watch what is being brought in. The hours are 8am -10am and 8pm-10pm. Go to mvderby.com to see the daily results.

The Bonito and False Albacore are really late this year but still every jetty is lined with anglers and the boats are chasing the few schools that are showing. The wind has been changing daily, partly from the results of the hurricanes down south.

Don't miss the Kids Derby on Sunday Sept 21st. Just show up at 6 a.m. at the Oak Bluffs ferry pier. No registration fee and every kid goes home a winner. Bait and even tackle can be supplied by the derby.

Check back every Thursday for a new report.

–Tee Clarkson

"Ready?" That's all Janet Messineo of Martha's Vineyard Fishing Charters and Taxidermy is hearing as she walks through town, "Ready?" Every island fisherman is scrabbling to tie up work responsibilities and adjust schedules so they can give it there all. THE DERBY. Started 63 years ago and going strong! Please remember that when you pay your registration fee, along with the 3000 others, your money helps donate $30,000 to the MV Regional High School for scholarships. Go to mvderby.com for more information. Things get cranked up Sept. 14th and end Oct. 18th. If you are planning on fishing the Vineyard, now is the time to be here.

Fortunately tropical storm Hannah did not cause any real damage. The Bonito and False Albacore are really late this year! Boaters are supporting the gas companies chasing the few schools along the NE side of the island. Hopefully the storms will push the fish up from down south. The commercial Striper and Bluefish season has closed. Recreational regulations remain the same. State regulations are available at http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/index.html.

Don't forget the Kid's Day Derby on Sept. 21st sponsored by the MV Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. Participants should meet at 6 a.m. at the Oak Bluffs SSA pier. No charge and every kid goes home a winner.

Check back every Thursday for a new report. –Tee Clarkson

As the summer season comes to an end and the tourists board the boats for the mainland, the island gears up for the 63rd annual Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby which starts on Sept 14th and runs until October 18th. The Bonito remain the target fish of conversation right now according to Janet Messineo of Martha's Vineyard Fishing Charters and Taxidermy. Schools of breaking fish are keeping the boats occupied along State Beach between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. The commercial season is still open for stripers. Commercial Fishermen are still at only about 80% of the quota for this year. The bluefish seem to be getting "smaller" and huge schools of Snapper blues keep young anglers happy. Janet notes that it is always wonderful to see so many snappers because that assures us that the bluefish population is healthy. Anglers have landed a few False Albacore but there are not enough around to discourage the Bonito bite. The Kid's Day tournament is on Sept 21st. It is sponsored by the derby and free to all children. Participants should meet at the Oak Bluff ferry pier at 6am. Each child goes home a winner.

Check back every Thursday for a new report. –Tee Clarkson