Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby
Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby
September 19, 2002
First Bluefish Catch Opens Wild Chase for Fish and Prizes in Autumn Tourney
The 57th annual Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby began Wednesday
without a hitch. Brendan Langley, the weigh master, was dressed for the
ordeal of weighing in each of the four species of fish: striped bass,
bluefish, false albacore and bonito. When the weigh-in headquarters
opened at 8 a.m. fishermen were already standing outside. In 15 minutes
all four species of fish had made an appearance on the scale.
September 16, 2002
Bass and Bluefish Derby Begins the Frenzied Rush for Top Tournament Prizes
The 57th annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish
Derby starts tomorrow morning. For some of the Island's anglers,
it can't start fast enough. Fishermen started talking about this
year's derby months ago. They talked about the derby when the
first striped bass arrived in Vineyard waters in April.
October 11, 2001
Fishing Derby Heads Into the Home Stretch; Weather Limits Catches from the Shoreline
The end of the 56th annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and
Bluefish Derby is a day away. Many of the Island's top fishermen
will fish right to the end, through tonight and into tomorrow. The derby
will end when the headquarters at the foot of Main street in Edgartown
close at 10 p.m. tomorrow.
An awards ceremony will take place Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Oak
Bluffs nightclub Atlantic Connection.
September 13, 2001
Weigh Station Opens for Annual Chase of Top Derby Prizes
False albacore have yet to make a strong appearance in the first
week of the 56th annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and
Bluefish Derby. So far only small, undersized false albacore have been
seen. The contest began on Wednesday morning with just two fishermen
weighing in their fish in the first half-hour of the contest.
September 10, 2001
Island Prepares for Fishing Derby Launch
The 56th annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish
Derby begins at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, a minute past midnight. The first
groggy fishermen of the month-long contest will line up to weigh in
their catch when the derby headquarters opens at 8 a.m. in Edgartown.
October 25, 1996
From Lobsterville to Squibnocket, Cape Pogue to Tisbury Great Pond, Fishermen Pick Their Favorite Spots
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.
October 25, 1996
Scientific Research Is Aided by High Volume of Fish Brought to Derby Weigh-in Station for Examination
The annual fall fishing derby offers the scientific community an ideal platform for monitoring the health of fish and for doing marine research. Gregory P. Skomal, a regional division of marine fisheries biologist, is involved in several key studies with the help of derby organizers.
Derby fishermen provide the perfect mechanism for monitoring fish. Four species of fish are weighed in almost daily, and all a researcher has to do is take his pick. And since the fish are all brought to the same spot for weighing in, it is easy to standardize.
September 12, 1995
Fifty Years of Big Fish and Good Fellowship
There are few possessions that last 50 years on the Vineyard waterfront. A wooden boat may last only 10 years unless the owner takes good care of it. A fishing reel will fail in a few years if exposed to hard use and poor care, and a fishing rod may last a little longer. Without routine maintenance an outboard motor can’t last.
The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby is now celebrating its 50th year, and on this waterfront that comes after an awful lot of care and attention.
September 7, 1993
Annual Island Fishing Derby Opens: Striped Bass Return To the Tourney After Ban
The 48th annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby begins tonight, a minute past midnight. The contest is long-awaited, one of the true signs of Vineyard life after the peak of summer.
This year’s month-long contest is the world series of saltwater contests, attracting fishermen from up and down the Atlantic coast. This is the first year since 1984 that the striped bass will be included in the derby that bears its name, along with competitions for bluefish, false albacore and the bonito.
January 31, 1986
Derby Office Will Stay in Edgartown
The 41st Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby will be held in Edgartown again this year, according to a release issued by the derby committee this week. And for the second year, the derby will not award prizes for the catching of striped bass.
