There is a particular type of cruelty the fishing gods dole out, especially during the derby.

On Sunday morning, the mood at the Steamship Wharf in Oak Bluffs was as bright as the December holiday season or a birthday eve.

Devon Metters could have weighed in one of the largest shore-caught false albacore of the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish derby’s second day Sunday. He caught a real tuna instead.

At first, they were catching more conversations and cavities than fish at the first weigh-in Sunday morning for the 76th Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby.

At 12:01 am. Sunday, the 76th annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby begins. First weigh opens at 8 a.m. Sunday.

Greg G. Clark won the grand prize in a quiet ceremony Sunday afternoon as the 75th derby came to a close.

Despite a pandemic and striped bass being out of contention, the 75th derby has been a success on all levels.

Ed and Steve Amaral fished the first Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish derby in 1946 when they were 10 and nine years old, respectively.

High winds made for an uncharacteristically slow Columbus Day weekend as the 75th Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby heads into its final week.

Even without striped bass in the derby this year, the number of fish crossing the scales each day routinely reaches triple digits.