Tag Archives: fishing on marthas vineyard

Exciting Ending To The 2013 Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby

On Sunday, October 20, 2013 history was made at the annual awards ceremony for the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. For the first time in the Derby, a woman won the brand new Eastern 22′ boat. Jena-Lynn Beauregard took first place for biggest shore bass (weighing in at 34.63 lbs) giving her a 1 in 4 shot at winning the boat. After keys were drawn and all but hers were tested, Ms. Beauregard was the last (wo)man standing waiting for her turn to try the lock. As the silent crowd looked on Ms. Beauregard knew she had the winning key. With her breath held she tried the lock, and CLICK; She won the ultimate grand prize for the Derby from the shore. She told the Martha’s Vineyard Gazette, “It’s overwhelming [and] intense… to be up on the stage with all these great fishermen”. The last time a woman won, which was from a boat, it was in 1993. This marks the first time in the 68 years of the  Derby that a woman has won from the shore.  

 

 

Jenna wasn’t the only derby winner that day. Sam Bell took home a brand new Chevy Silverado with his winning false albacore weighing in at 13.24 lbs caught from a boat.

Sam Bell 2013 Boat winner _ MV Derby FB

Congratulations to all the division category winners for the 2013 Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. To everyone else who participated and fished their hearts out, at least we have some great fishing stories to tell, and memories were made. The 2014 Derby will be here before we know it. All it takes is just one fish to win it all.

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The 68th Annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby

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September and October are special months on the island. The craziness of the summer has died down, the weather turns from hot and humid to crisp and inviting; perfect fishing weather. Every year from mid-September to mid-October islanders compete in the annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. This year marks the 68th year of good old fashion fishing, and stories of the one that got away. There is no hoopla like the Monster Shark Tournament in July. When the weigh station is open you’ll find children straining their necks to see the fish that were weighed in, adults gathered around the coffee table chatting and catching up with friends after a hectic season, seasoned fishermen who are hoping to make the final four so they may have a chance to win a truck or boat, and men with stunned faces when women come in with fish bigger than theirs, a smirk across her face in sweet victory of the day.

The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby started in 1946 as a means to extend the season and attract more business to the island in the shoulder season. That first year drew in over 1000 anglers with a simple goal of catching the biggest Striped Bass and Bluefish. The first prize was $1000, the second was a lot in Aquinnah. Since then the derby has grown, categories added, prizes are grander (although you can no longer win a lot of land) including a boat and a truck, and scholarship funds that total more that $64,000 given out to island residents.

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To register for the Derby please visit any of these convenient locations on island

 

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Exhibit Review ~ “One on the Line: The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby”

One On The LineOn August 30 the Martha’s Vineyard Museum unveiled its newest gallery exhibit called, “One on the Line: The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby”. The exhibit highlights the 67 year history of the annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby.

I am a fisher(wo)man. I love to fish, and look forward to the Derby every year. I register for it as soon as registration is available and even have a number reserved for me; so it’s easy to assume I was looking forward to the unveiling of the Derby exhibit last Friday. After leisurely strolling through the other exhibits I made my way through the crowd of fellow fishermen and women and was surprised with what I encountered. The first thing you’ll notice as you approach the exhibit are the large fish mounted on the walls; each one caught from previous Derby’s. As you look around you’ll see antique fishing gear, buttons and pins from Derby’s past, photos chronicling the history of the Derby, and much more.  I highly recommend coming with a charged cell phone so you can hear oral stories about specific items or events from the Derby’s past.

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I thoroughly enjoyed myself and suggest you take the time to go view the exhibit. Ticket prices are $7 for adults and $4 for kids. Visit monday through Saturday 10 – 5 or Sunday noon – 5pm. Located at 59 School Street in Edgartown, the MV Museum is 2 blocks from Historic Downtown Edgartown. The entrance is at the intersection of Cooke and School Streets with parking available off School Street.

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