Sports

Bass and Bluefish are Back!

The Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby kicks off its 66th Year

For the past 65 years, the folks of Martha’s Vineyard have added the Martha’s Vineyard Bass and Bluefish Derby to their list of ways to celebrate the coming of fall. This month-long event that brings out anglers, young and old from all across the Island and the globe, is a time for remembering tournaments of the past, seeing old friends, some good old-fashioned competition and, of course, fishing.

Back in the early days of the Derby, there were awards of housing lots in Aquinnah, a Derby dance, even a Derby queen. These days, the Derby is a non-profit event that awards $30,000 a year to graduates from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School who are pursuing their education in the marine sciences and sends home two lucky winners with a truck and a boat.

This year’s Derby begins at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, September 11, and ends at 10 p.m. on Saturday, October 15. Eligible fish are striped bass, bluefish, bonito and false albacore (little tunny). The divisions are the All Tackle Division, open to adults using any type of rod and reel including flyrod; the Junior Tackle Division, open to persons who have not reached their 15th Birthday on the opening day of the Derby; and the Flyrod Division, open only to persons using flyrods.

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One of the Derby’s most exciting family events is the Derby Kids Day, which occurs next Sunday, September 18. Kids and families set out super early to get to the Oak Bluffs dock by 6 a.m. and fish for a three hours. The day is free to all kids and takes place at the Oak Bluffs Ferry Dock. Age groups are: 8 and under, 9–11, and 12–14. All entrants are allowed only one fish for weigh-in. Prizes include items such as new fishing poles, derby bags and commemorative plaques. All participants walk away with the likes of T-shirts, ice cream and books.

Adults also get their share of awards, including daily and weekly awards for divisions and species.

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At the end of the Derby, overall prizes will be awarded for the three largest fish in each category of each division and species. The largest fish of each species from boat and shore, regardless of division, will also be awarded the Grand Leader Prize. Grand leaders receive a  signed limited edition Ray Ellis print, a $500 check, a Vineyard Vines Nor’easter jacket, a single-cup coffee brewer and a chance at the Grand Prizes: an EASTERN 22 Center Console or a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Pickup. Last year’s Grand Prize winners included Michael A. Paone with a bass weighing in at 37.6 lbs. and Roger A. Schaefer with a 13.27 lb. bluefish.

This year, the Derby has teamed up with the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce to create "Derby Deals.” Participants can receive discounts all over the Island by showing their Derby button to certain Island business.

You can register in advance for the Derby at many Island tackle shops and, after September 11, at the Derby headquarters on Edgartown habor.  For a complete list of places to register, go to: http://www.mvderby.com/register/index.php. All registrants must obtain a saltwater fishing license.


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