The bluefish run once more. After many years absence, and seasons when the species had been scarce, the great schools of which oldtimers told, have appeared again in Vineyard waters. True, the fish are small, averaging no more than two pounds each, but providing lively sport for both boat and shore fishermen, plus a banquet fit for the gods when served upon the table.
In Sports Afield for December, Bernhard A. Roth writes, among other things, of salt-water sport fishing, noting in obeisance the Vineyard Striped Bass Derby. Mr. Roth makes the claim that “the salt waters of the Bay State offer a greater variety of angling than any other North American marine area.” His comment on the derby:
The annual derby dance, which is a part of the opening of the striped bass derby, was held at the Tisbury school auditorium on Friday night, bringing out a gratifyingly large crowd and a brand new class of contestants for the various prizes offered. Manny Silva’s orchestra pleased the dancers, and the committee, headed by Clifford Luce, went to considerable lengths to make the event enjoyable.
Publicizing of the Martha’s Vineyard striped bass derby was taken up by the Salt Water Sportsman, a weekly publication devoted exclusively to salt water sport fishing. A four page announcement had been printed and distributed by the Sportsman, in which the derby was characterized as “the most colossal fishing derby ever staged on the North Atlantic.”
If there was ever a favorite fishing spot on the Vineyard, Lobsterville is it. As fishing spots go, it is fairly easy to get to. It is far enough away to feel remote and, most important of all, there are usually fish to be caught.
The Martha’s Vineyard striped bass derby wound up in a blaze of glory at noon on Tuesday, when the last fish were entered for weighing, and the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club held open house for all entrants, with dinner served in the club rooms in the evening before the prizes were awarded.
The first Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass Derby, the most ambitious event of its kind to be arranged for this coast, will begin at 12 noon on Sunday, Sept. 15, and will continue until 12 noon on Oct. 15. The grand prize of the derby is $1,000, and among the contestants so far are salt water fishermen from Toronto, others from Canada, four from Virginia, two from Philadelphia, and hundreds from the New England states and New York.
Derby president Ed Jerome thought he had seen just about everything. Until Sunday’s award ceremony, when Miles Whyte of Edgartown took the microphone and proposed to his girlfriend.
The 70th annual Martha’s Vineyard Bass and Bluefish Derby is in the books. A chilly but enthusiastic crowd gathered at derby headquarters Saturday night for the final weigh-in of the tournament. The awards ceremony is Sunday.
The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, which is heading into its final stretch, is a multi-generational affair, with parents and kids casting lines together and some of the youngest anglers catching big fish.
