Thanksgiving Fishing on Martha's Vineyard Despite Challenging Weather

As of November 30, 2024, the fishing scene around Martha's Vineyard is wrapping up the fall season with some promising catches despite the challenging weather. ### Weather and Tides Today, expect a mix of wind and rain, making conditions less than ideal for saltwater fishing. The winds are strong, and the rain will continue through the weekend. Sunrise is at 6:45 AM, and sunset will be at 4:08 PM. Tides are moderate, with high tide at 8:47 AM and low tide at 2:53 PM. ### Fish Activity Yesterday saw some activity in the saltwater, although it was limited due to the weather. Stripers are still present but scarce, particularly in the skinny waters of the south side beaches and backwaters. They can be caught using small soft plastics in the creeks and marshes, but it's tough to get them to bite once they've been spooked[2]. Tautog are another option, but they are mostly congregating around deeper structures in 50 feet of water or more. If you're lucky, you might encounter some albies blitzing in open water, although this is less common this late in the season[2]. ### Freshwater Fishing Given the poor saltwater conditions, freshwater fishing is a better bet. Largemouth bass and pickerel are active in the freshwater ponds and can be caught using suspending jerkbaits and ned rigs. Stocked trout in the kettle ponds are also a reliable catch on bait, lures, or flies[1]. ### Best Lures and Bait For stripers, use small soft plastics in the creeks and marshes. For tautog, epoxy jigs or small soft plastics are recommended. In freshwater, suspending jerkbaits and ned rigs work well for bass and pickerel, while bait, lures, or flies are effective for trout. ### Hot Spots - **South Side Beaches**: Early morning and late evening are the best times to catch stripers in these areas. - **Woods Hole**: Tautog have been caught from shore here recently. - **Kettle Ponds**: These are great spots for catching stocked trout and active bass and pickerel. If you're looking to get out today, consider the brief weather window in the morning for tautog or pivot to freshwater fishing to keep your rods bent. Happy Thanksgiving, and stay safe on the water This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.