As fishermen around the Island perfect the art of hooking the big one, artists on land are casting their talents into the mix to help raise money for the derby scholarship fund.

The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby will partner with Island Grown Initiative to distribute fresh fish for seniors, community meals and Islanders in need.

The weigh station has been buzzing at derby headquarters, as cool autumn days arrive and the fishing heats up. “The fishing has been phenomenal,” derby chairman Joe El-Deiry said.

The story of the Cape Codder 19 dates to the late 1960s when Sandy Urquhart was tinkering with hull designs aimed at creating an affordable craft made specifically for Cape and Vineyard waters.

Elizabeth Thompson, an 11-year-old, sixth-grader at the West Tisbury school, broke the derby’s junior record for boat-caught bonito on Saturday with a 11.68-pound fish.

A possible record bonito did not cross the scales during the first week of action, as the fisherman had not registered for the derby.

Serena Ward, fishing in her first derby, earned bragging rights for the first fish, an 8.4-pound false albacore. Chuck Winter was second with a 4.44-pound bluefish.

The bell will ring and the first fish will cross the scale Sunday morning as usual. But beyond that, little will be as usual when the 75th Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby gets under way.

It was the fall of 1984 and striped bass were in trouble. Along the East Coast, states were beginning to take action.

The venerable saltwater fishing contest entering its 75th year, will eliminate striped bass from the competition this fall.