Martha's Vineyard Fishing: Stripers, Bluefish & More Amid Autumn's Crisp Conditions

As of October 24, 2024, the fishing scene around Martha's Vineyard is buzzing with activity, despite the chilly autumn weather. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water. ### Weather and Tides The weather is expected to be cool, with a northeast wind blowing at about 15 mph, making the air feel crisp. Sunrise is at 7:04 AM, and sunset will be at 5:37 PM. Tides are crucial, and today you can expect a high tide at 9:17 AM and a low tide at 3:04 PM. ### Fish Activity The fall run is in full swing, and the waters around Martha's Vineyard are teeming with life. Striped bass and bluefish are the main attractions, with bass pushing bait along the big waters of Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay. The action has been intense, with birds feeding over the fish and boats rushing to the blitzes. ### Catch Reports Yesterday saw a consistent bite for striped bass, with many fish in the 24 to 40-inch range being caught. Bluefish are also plentiful, and some anglers reported catching them up to 17 pounds in the After Derby bluefish category of the Octoberfish tournament. Tautog fishing has been excellent as well, with several fish in the teens landed recently. ### Best Lures and Bait For striped bass, trolling tube-and-worm rigs up tight to ledges and current seams has been effective. Soft plastics, particularly pink or amber, are also working well, especially when cast right on or just in front of rising fish. For bluefish, mackerel and peanut bunker have been the go-to baits. Tautog are biting well on crabs and clams. ### Hot Spots Middle Ground and Hedge Fence are hot spots right now, with plenty of bass and bluefish activity. The entrances to the backwaters, such as those around State Beach, are also worth a try, though be prepared for some weed in the water. For those looking for a more technical challenge, the waters inside Fairhaven in Buzzards Bay have been producing heavy schoolies and larger fish. ### Additional Tips Be prepared for crowded waters, especially around popular spots like Middle Ground. The key is to mix up your lures and retrieval speeds to get the fish to commit. With the water temperatures still in the mid-50s, the fish are active, but the weed problem persists, so soft plastics or topwater plugs are your best bets. Get out there and enjoy the fall run – it’s a great time to be fishing on Martha's Vineyard This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.