Fishing Martha's Vineyard in Late Fall: Striper, Tautog, and Bonito on the Bite

As of November 16, 2024, the fishing scene on Martha's Vineyard is still vibrant despite the late fall season. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water. ### Weather and Tidal Conditions Today, expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 45 degrees. The winds will be moderate, blowing at about 10-15 mph from the northwest. Tides are crucial; the high tide is at 9:30 AM and the low tide at 3:30 PM. These conditions should provide a decent window for fishing. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at 6:27 AM, and sunset will be at 4:17 PM, giving you ample daylight to explore the waters. ### Fish Activity Yesterday saw a mix of fish activity, particularly in Vineyard Sound and around the Elizabeth Islands. Scattered schools of striped bass, small bluefish, and bonito were active, especially during surface feeds. Striped bass are moving into the estuaries and tidal rivers, feeding on peanut bunker, silversides, and late-running mullet[2][5]. ### Types and Amounts of Fish Caught Captain Kurt Freund of Fishsticks Charters reported landing four keeper tautog up to 19 inches, along with several smaller tautog and sea bass. Striped bass, though mostly smaller sizes, were also caught in the canal and from the Menemsha jetties[5]. ### Best Lures and Bait For striped bass, using lures like diamond jigs with green tubes or topwater lures can be effective, especially in the estuaries and rivers where they are feeding on small schools of baitfish. For tautog, crabs are the go-to bait, as they are actively crunching on them in the deeper waters[4][5]. ### Hot Spots - **Vineyard Sound**: This area saw significant surface feeds yesterday, making it a prime spot for catching striped bass, bluefish, and bonito. - **Menemsha Jetties**: Known for consistent catches of striped bass and occasional bluefish. - **Elizabeth Islands**: These islands are hosting tautog and sea bass, particularly in the deeper waters as temperatures drop. Overall, Martha's Vineyard offers a diverse fishing experience even in late fall. Dress warmly, and be prepared for the changing weather conditions, but the rewards are well worth the effort. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.