Carmelo Torres, who moved to the Vineyard in June to take care of a friend's mother, drew the winning key at the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby awards ceremony Sunday.

More than 3,000 fishermen registered this year for the 79th annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby. On Sunday, it comes down to six, as the winners of each category vie for the grand prize boat.

Looking out at the Elizabeth Islands in the distance on Tuesday, derby competitor Max Eagan cast his rod into the rocky waters off Menemsha.

At 5 a.m. on a recent morning, Noah Mayrand started up his boat and set-out from West Chop looking for false albacore.

For nine-year-old Brielle Cortez, fishing means being able to connect with her grandfather, who died before she was born.

Over 30 artists, sponsored by Island businesses, created fish-inspired pieces for Bass in the Grass, the annual derby celebration of creativity.

About 10 per cent of the derby’s registrants are signed up for the fly rod division this year. 

Due to rainy, windy weather, the Kids Derby has been rescheduled for Sunday, Sept. 29, the Gazette learned at press time Thursday.

Halifax fisherman Richard Mann was aiming for a derby fish, but hooked a 6-foot tarpon Sunday.

Tom Neadow hooked the first fish of the 79th Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby Sunday morning, weighing in a 5.98-pound bluefish.