There was a brief silence Sunday as each of the six grand winners of the 81st Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby inserted their keys into the golden lock that, if opened, would crown the year’s winner.
But, when David Gerhardt, an angler from Louisiana who traveled to Martha’s Vineyard for the first time to participate in this year’s fishing derby, inserted his key there was a sharp audible click followed quickly by a rally of cheers celebrating his victory.
Mr. Gerhardt, who secured his place on the Farm Neck Golf Club stage after catching a 21.01-pound bluefish, was in shock after he won.
“I’ve never been in a position like this before, ever,” said Mr. Gerhardt. “It just felt unreal. I felt like I was floating.”
Mr. Gerhardt reeled in the fish this past Tuesday off Wasque while fishing with friends and coworkers on the Kyler Grace. It took about 8 or 10 minutes to land the fish, Mr. Gerhardt recalled.
“I was the guest, so they gave me the rod first, and I picked it up and landed it,” he said. “I was wondering what the big deal was and then the captain said, ‘You’re the derby leader.’ He didn’t weigh it or anything. He just said, ‘I’m telling you, it’s huge.’ So that was it.”
Kevin Lord invited Mr. Gerhard to join him on the charter boat during the last week of the derby, and was excited for his friend.
“David’s been a friend of mine for 20 years,” said Mr. Lord. “He’s the new CEO of my company that I just hired this year. And I said, I’m your boss, you’ve got to come up and go fishing. So, I brought him up, flew him up here and he was supposed to leave Thursday.”
For earning the top prize, Mr. Gerhardt was awarded a new camouflage Jeep Gladiator Mojave that was provided by Vineyard Vines, one of the main sponsors at this year’s fishing derby.
Though it was his first time on the Island, Mr. Gerhardt has already found friends in the fishing community.
“It’s a real tight-knit community in this derby,” said Mr. Gerhardt. “You can tell the Island just swims around it, no pun intended. But it’s just real tight knit and everyone’s into it. It’s been a great week. I met a lot of friends, people I’ll probably continue being friends with.”
The annual fishing derby first started in 1946. This year, the derby took place between Sept. 10 and Oct. 18. The last few anglers trickled in to weigh their catches the night before on Oct. 17, just before the weigh station closed at 9 pm.
Derby president John Custer thanked everyone who helped make the fishing tournament happen.
“I never take for granted the support that the Derby receives,” he said. “As I’ve said many times, and I’ll continue to say, nothing lasts for over 80 years unless it has strong support.”
In all, 3,034 anglers participated in this year’s derby. Together, they weighed in 708 bonito, 584 bluefish and 159 false albacore.
“What we do is very, very special,” said Mike Cassidy, a derby volunteer for over 40 years. “But fishing, to tell you the truth, is just an excuse we use to get people together.”
The annual fishing derby ended Sunday with a long celebration and awards ceremony that was held under a tent at Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs.
Friends and family members cheered as anglers who participated were presented awards for various achievements.
Perhaps the most notable catch besides Mr. Gerhardt’s grand prize-winning bluefish was a false albacore landed from a boat by Sherry Countryman. Weighing in at 19.91 pounds, Ms. Countryman’s albacore was both a new state and derby record. She was awarded $1,000 for this achievement.
Although Ms. Countryman was away in Europe Sunday, her friends brought a life-size cut out of her to stand in her place. According to friends of Ms. Countryman, the life-size cut out will be traveling around the Island, making appearances at many of her favorite haunts.
Prior to the final awards ceremony, awards were given to young anglers who participated in the junior and mini junior fish derby. Those who placed in the top three of each fish category were awarded a plaque along with a new fishing rod and bag.
One winner was overheard saying that the derby is an event that is better than Christmas.
“That’s why we do what we do,” said Mr. Cassidy.
To see all the results from this year’s fishing derby visit: https://mvderby.com/results/index.php?page=daily