Fishing the Vineyard in November: Stripers, Tautog, and More

As of November 17, 2024, the fishing scene around Martha's Vineyard is still active, despite the cooler weather setting in. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water. ### Weather and Tides Today, expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and a gentle breeze out of the northwest. Tides are crucial; the high tide is at 9:37 AM, and the low tide is at 3:22 PM. These tidal changes can trigger fish activity, especially in areas like Vineyard Sound and the Elizabeth Islands. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at 6:27 AM, and sunset will be at 4:14 PM, giving you ample daylight to fish. ### Fish Activity Yesterday saw scattered schools of schoolie stripers, small bluefish, and bonito cruising through Vineyard Sound and along the Elizabeth Islands. Striped bass were feeding on small schools of peanut bunker in the estuaries and rivers, while the outer beaches had hit-or-miss fishing for bass in the surf, where water temperatures are approaching 50 degrees. Tautog fishing remains excellent, particularly in deeper waters. Captain Kurt Freund of Fishsticks Charters reported landing four keeper tautog up to 19 inches and several smaller tautog and sea bass in the area. ### Best Lures and Bait For striped bass, use diamond jigs with green tubes or lures that mimic peanut bunker and sand eels. Small bluefish and bonito can be caught using surface lures that imitate baitfish. For tautog, crabs and clams are the best bait. ### Hot Spots - **Vineyard Sound**: This area is seeing surface feeds of bonito, small bluefish, and schoolie stripers. - **The Elizabeth Islands**: These waters are home to tautog and sea bass, especially in deeper areas as the fish move with the dropping temperatures. - **Menemsha**: This spot is known for its rocky waters, which are ideal for tautog and other bottom-dwelling species. Overall, it's a great time to cast around for bass, bluefish, and bonito, especially if the weather remains moderately fishable. Enjoy your day on the water This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.