Late Summer Fishing on Martha's Vineyard - Variety, Stripers, and Bluefish Abound

Artificial Lure here, bringing you your Martha’s Vineyard fishing report for Wednesday, September 17th, 2025. The Vineyard woke up to a classic late summer scene—clear, cool air settling in after sunrise at 6:25AM, with sunset waiting on the other end at 6:48PM. Light winds out of the north shifted eastward by midday, sitting steady around 6 to 10 mph, and temperatures are locked in the upper 60s to low 70s—just about perfect for a full day on the water, whether you’re wading a South Shore bar, or casting off a skiff out of Edgartown Harbor. According to the Squibnocket Beach forecast, swells are gentle around 1 to 1.6 feet, keeping the surf fishable and accessible all day. We’re just past the September new moon, so tides are running moderate rather than wild. Low tide hits late morning around 10:57AM, and high water returns at 4:40PM—just right for a late afternoon swing through your favorite rocks or reef lines. For fly and plug anglers, that incoming push through the middle of the day into evening has produced some of the best action these last few days. The bite’s been full of variety, with stripers leading the list, matching scattered schools of peanut bunker and silversides all along the eastern and southern shores. On the recent catch front, folks fishing out of Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven have reported consistent schoolie striped bass, with the occasional slot-size mixed in. Most fish are feeding close to shore and up in the rips—try Whitehall and Hart Haven, especially on that rising tide this afternoon. A few larger bass have been taken after dark near the Chappy beaches, mostly by dedicated casters slinging big soft plastics and needlefish plugs. Bluefish are scattered but present; smaller choppers are making runs along East Beach, surfacing in quick flurries. The occasional keeper fluke is still coming in, mostly by boaters drifting deep off Dogfish Bar. Night-timers have picked up a few weakfish and even a stray bonito or two, especially where ocean currents funnel bait near Wasque. What’s been working? For stripers and blues, nothing beats a 7” white soft plastic on a 3/8 to 1/2 oz jighead, or classic epoxy minnow lures to match the small bait. If you’re fly-fishing, throw Clouser Minnows in olive/white or any sand eel imitation—these have been money all week, especially on the flats at sunrise. Bait fishermen are having luck with the old standards: fresh chunk mackerel, squid strips, and, if you can scrounge it, live eels after dark. Bonito are still crushing small metals like Deadly Dicks and Kastmasters—keep one rigged and ready during those blitzy moments. Hot spots to put on your list today: - East Beach on Chappaquiddick for the morning and evening striper and bluefish bite, especially near the Gut and Wasque Point. - Menemsha Jetty around sunset for a mix of bass, blues, and the odd black sea bass on the drift—always worth a shot if things are quiet elsewhere. - Don’t sleep on Dogfish Bar for a chance at late keeper This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.