Awards Ceremony this Sunday, October 18, 1pm at Nectar's

2009 Derby Leaders

Bluefish - Boat

Henry R. Fauteux 14.04 lbs

Bluefish - Shore

Peter C. Shepardson 13.81 lbs.

Bass - Boat

Stephen J. Pietruska 44.68 lbs.

Bass - Shore

Ryan Kurth 34.10 lbs

Bonito - Boat

Wyatt A. Jenkinson 9.71 lbs.

Bonito - Shore

Michael L. Seeger 7.99 lbs.

Albacore - Boat

William A. Pate 12.66 lbs.

Albacore - Shore

Keith A. McArt 16.55 lbs.

For over six decades, The Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. has been the most anticipated event of the Martha's Vineyard fishing season.

This year, for the first time in its 64 year history, on-Island pre-registration is available. Just stop by at Coop's Bait and Tackle, Dick's Bait and Tackle, and Larry's Tackle to pick up your badge!

The 64th Annual MV Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby  begins Sunday, September 13 at 12:01 am and ends Saturday October 17 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}

Saturday, September 19
Anglers weighing in the heaviest overall shore and boat bluefish each will win $500.

Sunday September 20
Kids Day at the Oak Bluffs Wharf, 6-9 pm.

Saturday, September 26
Anglers weighing in the heaviest overall shore and boat false albacore each will win $500.

Saturday, October 3
Anglers weighing in the heaviest overall shore and boat striped bass each will win $500.

Saturday, October 10
Anglers weighing in the heaviest overall shore and boat bonito each will win $500.

Saturday, October 17
One lucky person will be randomly selected and win $500. This person does NOT have to weigh in a fish.

Sunday, October 18
DERBY AWARDS CEREMONY - Nectars, 1 pm.  Everyone invited!  Join us to celebrate the winners, win raffles, see the boat & truck giveaway, and enjoy the food provided by Nectar's at the MV Airport. Bring the family - all ages welcome. FREE!

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

^{Make your plans for the 64th 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"