Striped Bass, Bluefish, and False Albacore Abound at the 79th Martha's Vineyard Derby

As of October 6, 2024, the fishing scene on Martha's Vineyard is buzzing with activity, especially with the 79th Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby in full swing until October 19. ### Tidal Report and Weather The tide chart for today shows a high tide at around 8:30 AM and a low tide at about 2:30 PM. The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a gentle breeze, making it ideal for a day on the water. Sunrise was at 6:43 AM, and sunset will be at 6:04 PM. ### Fish Activity Yesterday saw a significant amount of fish activity, particularly in the backwaters and surf areas. Striped bass are feeding heavily, with reports of fish in the 20- to 30-pound class being caught. Bluefish are also abundant, with some anglers catching blues over 10 pounds. False albacore, which are now eligible for daily awards in the derby, have been active as well, especially on the south side of the island where they are feeding on tiny bay anchovies. ### Best Lures and Bait For striped bass, vertical jigging with green tube-tailed diamond jigs has been highly effective. Surfcasters have had success using plugs like the Hopkins Shorty and Deadly Dicks, especially during the late afternoon when bass are feeding on tinker blues. For bluefish, trolling umbrella rigs off the bay beaches has yielded good results. If you're targeting false albacore, using small jigs or flies that mimic bay anchovies can be very productive. ### Hot Spots One of the hot spots right now is the area around Edgartown, where the morning and evening weigh-ins are held. The backwaters of Vineyard Sound and the beaches along Cape Cod Bay are also prime locations for catching striped bass and bluefish. For those looking to catch false albacore, the south shore near Miacomet has been consistent. Overall, the conditions are perfect for a memorable day of fishing on Martha's Vineyard. With the right lures and bait, and by targeting the right spots, you're likely to have a successful and enjoyable day on the water. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.