Tom Neadow hooked the first fish of the 79th Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby Sunday morning, weighing in a 5.98-pound bluefish.

I lost two of my uncles within the last year. Both had a huge influence on me and my love of fishing in the saltwater.

On Sunday, Sept. 15, at 12:01 a.m. the 79th annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby begins.

This Saturday, the Martha’s Vineyard Surfcasters Association hosts its annual used tackle sale. All proceeds support scholarships for Island students.

At the 79th annual iteration of the derby, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 19, false albacore will be eligible for daily awards and daily prize money is going up.  

Island recreational fishermen gathered to celebrate the end of the 78th annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. Over the course of the five week-long competition, 2,999 contestants submitted more than 17,000 pounds of bluefish, bonito and false albacore to derby headquarters.