Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby

September 13, 1946

Striped Bass Derby Opens on Sunday

Vineyard Gazette
The first Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass Derby, the most ambitious event of its kind to be arranged for this coast, will begin at 12 noon on Sunday, Sept. 15, and will continue until 12 noon on Oct. 15. The grand prize of the derby is $1,000, and among the contestants so far are salt water fishermen from Toronto, others from Canada, four from Virginia, two from Philadelphia, and hundreds from the New England states and New York.
Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby
October 21, 1955

Weather Brought Tumultuous End to Fishing Derby

Vineyard Gazette
In all the tumult of a savage easterly gale accompanied by lashing rain, the 10th annual fishing derby came to a close on Saturday, with contestants fishing, or certainly attempting to fish up to
Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby
May 23, 2013

National Geographic Documentary Celebrates Heroes of Front Lines and Derby

Remy Tumin
Last fall a group of nine soldiers arrived in Menemsha to compete in the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby.
American Heroes Saltwater Challenge
Films
Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby
February 3, 2020

Martha’s Vineyard Derby Will Remove Striped Bass From Competition

Will Sennott
The venerable saltwater fishing contest entering its 75th year, will eliminate striped bass from the competition this fall.
Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby
Striped bass

1946

August 27, 1946

Sporting Magazine Is Bass Derby Booster

Vineyard Gazette
Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby
Publicizing of the Martha’s Vineyard striped bass derby was taken up by the Salt Water Sportsman, a weekly publication devoted exclusively to salt water sport fishing. A four page announcement had been printed and distributed by the Sportsman, in which the derby was characterized as “the most colossal fishing derby ever staged on the North Atlantic.” 
 

Scenes from 72nd Annual Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby

Derby Brings Fishermen Together in Spirit of Camaraderie

Each day and night of fishing provides participants in the derby with choices — not only of baits and lures and lines, but favorite fishing spots that become secrets only when competitive fish are landed there.

Noble Days and Clarity of Light for Second Week of Derby

Gone fishing is the rallying cry for the Island in the second week of the derby. And as always the competition signals that time in the Vineyard year between the waning days of summer and the arrival of autumn.

Morning at the Weigh Station During Derby Days

All eyes are on the weigh station at the foot of Main street on the Edgartown harbor. Each morning and evening from 8 to 10, the fish are brought to the scales. Stories of the big one caught and the ones that got away carry on throughout the day and night.

Scenes from the 2016 Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby

The 71st annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby attracted a record number of anglers.

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