For two hours starting at 6 a.m. on Sunday, kids fished from the Oak Bluffs Steamship Authority pier before the first ferry of the day arrived, thanks to the annual Kids Derby event.
Each year, as part of the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, a special morning returns to the Oak Bluffs Steamship pier. Before the first ferry slides in, kids ages four to 14 are given free reign of the wharf to try their luck during Kids Derby Day.
No registration is needed, just an ability to wake up early — and convince a parent to do the driving.
Steve Amaral rang the opening bell for the 77th Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby and Lisa Belcastro answered with a 10.64-pound albie.
The Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish derby returns for its 77th year, hooking anglers from near and far in the hunt for the largest bluefish, bonito and false albacore.
It's the time of year when everyone want to get the blues — bluefish, that is, along with false albacore and bonito. The seventy-seventh annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby starts at 12:01 a.m. this Sunday and will not conclude until mid-October, by which time any number of Islanders and visitors will be puffy-eyed and zombie-like, conditions brought on by a passion for the fishing competition that overwhelms lesser human endeavors such as sleep.
A monster bluefish caught from the shore proved to be the lucky charm for Zachary Magid of West Tisbury, who took home the grand prize in the 76th derby.
If you’ve been having a hard time getting a plumber, gardener, carpenter or even reaching a bank president lately, have no fear. The 76th Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby is almost over.
As the 76th Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby heads into the final week of competition, a day 40 years ago is on a lot of fishermen’s minds — the Columbus Day blitz.