Fishing
For 25 years it was an anticipated event — the arrival of the limited-edition prints depicting classic Vineyard fishing scenes as rendered by artist Ray Ellis.
Despite complaints from fishermen, No Wake signs posted at the end of the Eastville Beach jetty will remain in place. Concern about the signs arose as the bass and bluefish derby kicked off earlier this month. The end of the jetty is a popular site for shore fishing.
Tim Broderick took a leap of faith when he sold his 55-foot fishing dragger Four Kids this summer, switching to oyster farming in Menemsha Pond with his father Stephen. But the Brodericks say the change is already paying off.
Three bluefish, a nice bass, an albie and a bonito all crossed the scale Sunday morning, and the 69th annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby was under way. At 8 a.m., the small fishing shack on Edgartown harbor opened its doors.
Derby fever can strike just about anyone during the five weeks of fishing that kick off this weekend. The 69th annual derby begins at 12:01 a.m. Sunday and the first weigh-in bell rings at 8 a.m. The tournament runs through Oct. 18.
New regulations aimed at curbing mortality rates among striped bass are focusing on the larger, spawning females whose numbers have fallen in recent years. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is collecting comment.
