Derby is fishing at its best
The sight of an eager fisherman casting into a school of feeding blues is as familiar a Vineyard sight as the twinkling of lighthouse beacons or the swooping of hungry gulls. But come September, as the hoards of summer visitors slowly make their way home after a season of summer angling, a new flock of Vineyard visitors arrive -- the Derby fishermen.

The 54th Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby begins just after midnight on September 15. This month-long contest allows novice fishermen and pros alike to enjoy the beauty of autumn on the Vineyard while competing to catch the largest fish in each of the four Derby categories.

Cool fall weather means feeding time for Bluefish, False Albacore, Striped Bass and Bonito which have grown fat all summer in warm Vineyard waters.

Derby fishermen line our beaches or pile into boats trying their luck at one of the daily, weekly or grand prizes for the largest fish. But the thrill of the Derby is not in the contest or the prizes but rather in the life-long friendships made during late-night fishing trips to deserted beaches or while hanging out at the weigh station in Oak Bluffs on the harborfront where young and old come to present prize catches and brag about the bigger fish that got away.

Truly, unlike hunters who lie and wait, our beloved fishermen mostly wait and lie!

Interested spectators should not hesitate to visit the weigh station which opens its doors to tired fisher-folk for two hours at 8 am and 8 pm. On a good fishing day the shed will be crowded with fishermen delighted to relate the tales of their battles with the one that didn't get away.

To register, contact Derby Headquarters at Box 2101, Edgartown, or call (508) 627-8510. Or, stop into any local tackle shop.

A Guide to Derby Fish (For the Spectator and the Pro)

Bonito, False Albacore, Bluefish, and Striped Bass are the only fish which will be accepted at the Derby weigh station.

Bonito are strong, fast fish with keen eyesight and require a minimum of tackle. They feed primarily on sand eels and make excellent raw eating.

False Albacore are frequently confused with Bonito because they have similar feeding habits. But they should be easy to distinguish because they lack the Bonito's wavy scale patterns.

Bluefish are difficult to release because of their sharp teeth. Use pliers when removing hooks. These strong, fast fish are most fun to catch with top lures because they will attack them "like a dog chasing a mailman."

Striped Bass are the premier Vineyard fish. It is not unusual for a seasoned fisherman to hook a forty-pounder from an Island beach and face the fight of a lifetime with this little beast which will give a "run like a freight train." Limit one fish per day, minimum thirty-six inches.

©1999 Best Read Guide/Martha's Vineyard
P.O. Box 66 (34 S. Summer St.) - Edgartown, MA 02653