Derby Leaders

Bluefish - Boat

Alphonsus D. Simmons 16.12 lbs.

Bluefish - Shore

Curtis J. Farrell 15.55 lbs.

Bass - Boat

Lev C. Wlodyka 46.82 lbs.

Bass - Shore

Scott D. Tompkins 40.12 lbs.

Bonito - Boat

Paul C. Harris 10.75 lbs.

Bonito - Shore

Jared Stobie 7.22 lbs.

Albacore - Boat

William A. Pate 11.44 lbs.

Albacore - Shore

James C. Cornwell 11.55 lbs

Participants and their supporters flocked to Outerland for the 2008 awards ceremony Sunday, October 19.  Paul C. Harris  and  Scott Tompkins were both grand prize winners.  Mr Harris was the happy winner of a new truck while Mr. Tompins' efforts netted him a new boat. 

Over $30 thousand dollars in scholarship funds was raised by the month-long event.

The 63rd Annual MV Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby  began Sunday, September 14 at 12:01am and ended Saturday October 18 at 10 pm.

Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby is the east coast's largest fishing derby. Check regulations and the latest Derby Rules www.mvderby.com

For Fishing Forecasts click here.

Tide charts: click here
                       click here

^{Derby Dates}

Sept. 20
anglers weighing in the heaviest overall shore & boat bluefish each will win $500.

Sept. 27
anglers weighing in the heaviest overall shore and boat false albacore each will win $500.

Oct. 4
anglers weighing in the heaviest overall shore and boat striped bass each will win $500.

Oct. 11
anglers weighing in the heaviest overall shore and boat bonito each will win $500.

Oct. 18
one lucky person will be randomly selected to win $500. Fish weigh-in not required.

October19, 2008
Derby Awards Ceremony - Outerland, 1 pm

MVOL is the online partner of the Fishing Derby, publishing weekly updates of Derby Leaders and news.

^{Make your plans for the 63rd Fishing Derby}

Bait and Tackle Shops
Fishing gear, rod, bait...MVOL Tackle Shop Directory
Charters
Go offshore with Fishing Charters, look at our our Charter Fishing Directory
Accommodation
Book a room, B&B, Inn, Hotel, check the MVOL Accommodations Directory.
Transportation
Need a way to get around, bike, car, check the MVOL Transportation Directory.

Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby; Target Fish Species
	False Albacore, aka Little Tunny and Fat Alberts, are a strong fish which are caught mainly with light tackle or flyfishing. False Albacore are a schooling fish and tend to show up when the Vineyard waters reach their warmest temperatures of the season. Albies, as they're known locally, first appear in Vineyard waters in late summer or early fall and can still be caught in mid-October. False Albacore can be identified by their tuna-like shape, and by the presence of one or more spots on the lower front third of the fish.Minimum Size: 25"
	Atlantic Bonito are cousins of the larger tuna species and can are very fast and challenging to catch. Like False Albacore, Bonito are commonly caught with light tackle and flyfishing. Bonito start to show up in mid-July and can still be caught in late October. Bonito and False Albacore look similar, but can be distinguished by there pointed mouth with fairly large conical teeth and an darker lines running down the length of the fish. Minimum Size: 21"
	Striped Bass arrive in our waters in spring and stay late into the fall, which makes "stripers", as they are commonly called, the most sought after fish in Vineyard waters. Striped Bass are also called rockfish in the southern states, especially in the waters of the Chesepeake Bay. Stripers are caught many ways, but most anglers use spinning rods casting with artificials plugs and metal lures from the beach or trolling with wire along the many rips and rockpiles. Striped bass are easily identified by their black stripes that go from their gills to their tails. Stripers can grow very large for a fish commonly caught of a beach or near shore - 40 pound fish are not uncommon, and fish up and even over 50 pounds are caught.Minimum Size: 32"
	Bluefish are the most commonly caught fish during the summer in the waters around the Vineyard.This is most likely because they tend to eat everything in their path. When the Bluefish are thick catching them can seem to be easy. Anglers from all over the island are sure gather wherever the bluefish show up in good numbers. Blues as they are known locally arrive in May, and the early runs of fish can be big. Bluefish are identified by their blue or green coloration, as well as there little razor sharp teeth, which can easily sever your figure if your not careful when removing hooks. Bluefish are mainly caught on spinning rods casting with artificials plugs and metal lures. But trolling for stripers with wire will produce many Bluefish as well. Minimum Size: 22"