To all S_B Members,

For over thirty years a MSBA and S-B member has hosted or coordinated what became known as "The Fishing Shack" during the MV Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby. Aftyer attending the house for ten years I took over doing this after Baitcaster & Fisherwoman (Bill & Jules) here on S-B gave it up in 2005.

What we do is rent a house, set a price for lodging (in a Bed), food (we eat like kings), coffee, lunches, cleaning products, tp and all the essentials plus etc etc.

We have eight spots per week over the four weeks we have the house. All you have to do is show up with your gear and and come fishing. Fish alone or with others, share info or do not, the house is what you make of it. No one bothers anyone and we all have a good time.

The cost of a 1 week stay (Sunday to Sunday), all food and lodging included is only $350. Shorter stays are $60 per night. Money is due at time of booking. I need time to buy all the steak, ribs, pork, bacon, eggs pancakes, lunch meats, coffee, etc etc.) We provide sheets for the beds, bring your own towels. Interested members will get a document explaining the whole shootin match once they e-mail me.

There are a lot of people talking about coming that have not yet given me dates or money. The house is paid for and I am starting to shop for the food. You are not held a spot until you pay for the spot and I can not guarantee space will be available or there will be enough ribs, steaks, etc, etc unless you are pre booked. I will work out a payment plan and hold your spot if you make a deposit. Week three is slated as S-B week though there are S-B members coming over all 4 weeks.

The following spots are still open (read unpaid thus unconfirmed) as of 8/22
Week 1—9/16/23 One Bed and the open loft with pull out couch (only $300)
Week 2—9/23-9/30 Two Beds and the open loft with pull out couch
S-B Cookout Week 3—9/30-10/7 Two Beds and the loft pull out couch open
Week 4—10/7-10/14 Two Beds and the loft pull out couch

If you are interested please PM or e-mail BasicPatrick@aol.com.

Take a risk and come enjoy the fall run at the derby.

it kills me that some of the best fishing there is after the derby ends.

Must :wall: Fish :wall: Derby :wall: !!

What about transportation on the island? Are there some people bringing cars over or does everyone need to ferry a vehicle over?

I do not "formally" provide transportation though when someone is coming without a vehicle we usually go get them. This is not a guide service however I usually hep guys coming to pair up so that vehicle costs and other out of pocket expenses are shared.

Mike - some people will have cars over on the island. Best bet is to get a fishing buddy or two to go over with one bringing a car/truck. Going over in the past, this is how I have always done it... The island is so diverse in how you can fish it and places to go, you really want a vehicle over there for flexibility.

4X4 is nice as it gets you into extra places IF you want to get beach stickers. But most great places can be gotten to by car & walking. Some of the great places like Squibby, Gay Head, and other NDLs :hihi: a 4x4 does you no good. Wasque and South beach can be accessed & walked from parking lots for those that are up to it but easily more than 80% of the accessible spots on the island do not need a 4x4 and a sticker. Main places for a sticker are the TTOR sticker for ORV access to Wasque & Pogue, and a different sticker for Norton Point - where the washout is - and I'm not sure what's up with that...

Need S-B representation on the Vineyard :btu:



Ferry rates:

http://web3.steamshipauthority.com/ssa/FareDisplay.cfm?Run=MV

Fished norton point in the spring and we were able to get a daily pass for ~20$. I am not sure if it has changed but the option was there in the spring.

Hmmmmmmm........... :ss: maybe!

Norton Point sticker enforcement after Labor Day tends to be very hit or miss ;) The one or two occasions where I was stopped, the deputy let me pass after I told him I was just driving through to wasque and not staying on the county part of the beach. And with the breach, I would expect enforcement ot be even more lax in the fall.

The only places you really, really need the TTOR sticker to fish are Arruda Point and the jetties on East Beach, and Pogue Light and the elbow (including the windmill house). You can access the Gut from North Neck. The only times it pays to have a sticker for the Gut is when the wind's howling from the NW.

Mike,

Last Fall when TTOR took over mgmt of Norton Point they put up a small shack 1/4 m ile in on the trail and had it manned every day. The lax enforcement of the past was significantly stepped up last fall. I was checked on a few nights.

I agree on the 4x4 not nescessary besides the few spots you mentioned.

I do think it would be nice to drive to the new cut, but then again that place will definately be a parking lot at this Derby so I will probably stay in "other" areas that might have less traffic. Think.....mailboxes.......lmao

Mike,

Last Fall when TTOR took over mgmt of Norton Point they put up a small shack 1/4 m ile in on the trail and had it manned every day. The lax enforcement of the past was significantly stepped up last fall. I was checked on a few nights.

I agree on the 4x4 not nescessary besides the few spots you mentioned.

I do think it would be nice to drive to the new cut, but then again that place will definately be a parking lot at this Derby so I will probably stay in "other" areas that might have less traffic. Think.....mailboxes.......lmao

The mailboxes are always a great place to find fish. I know that spot well.:jump: :buds:
They have added rangers to a night shift now, so they are patrolling the beach almost 24hrs. I imagine the shifts will slow once fall comes around, but I know in the past they have had issues on the beaches so now have a ranger on duty regularly until 2am. First sweep in the mornings is usually around 7 am.

Hmmmmmmm........... :ss: maybe!

Thinking the same thing....I got some vacation time in October....Hmmmmm

the nice folks manning the Trustee gates on the Chappy side have been known to let people on the beach without the 4WD permit, if conditions are fairly slow (at night, after high touron season).

BTW, the best spots on the island are the ones that you walk to. ;)

Is the location of this house already known?
Sounds interesting I spend some time out there in a small open boat that time of year, it would be nice to have a spot to warm up.

The house is centrally located right off Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road just on the Edgartown side of the High School. Ten Minute drive gets you to VH Harbor, Oak bluffs Harbor, Derby HQ, Larry's #^&#^&#^&#^&s and Coops. !5 mins to Tashmoo. Nice quick access to mget rolling up Island also. Circular driveway, wrap around deck, plenty of space and a nice layout. Serious inquiries will receve a document with "how it works" all laid out.

replies with more info have been sent to those that e-mailed or pm'd me.

Still a few spots left for anyone interested

mmmmm mailboxes :drool:

But you know where I will be camped for the 2 weeks ;)

Camped, don;t you mean..."perched" lol

I'll just add that after staying in "The Fishing Shack" for a few weeks last year, I would certainly do it again. Unfortunately this year I’ve already spent a good lot of my vaca and will only be on the Vineyard for a week this year unless something changes.

The things I liked:
-Great group of folks (guys and gals): I got to meet and fish with folks I only knew vaguely or had not even met before and all of them were a joy to be around. Everyone seemed to share with rides, advice, tackle, chores, the works. They made time spent there a complete pleasure.
-Location: I like to fish the entire island, boat and shore and this location was really good from that perspective. There was also a good mix of folks that fished both boat and shore. No matter how you want to fish on what day there is usually someone that is interested in doing it with you.
-Price: Not a bad deal at all.
-The food: As long as you are not a vegetarian or watching your cholesterol then you should enjoy this part.
-Roomate: Johnny Cherico was a great roommate.


Things I didn’t like:
-Catching “the virus”: Whatever it was, it sucked! I was literally on my ass for 48 hours or had my head, “previous reference” or both stuck in the toilet. Not a pleasant experience. I think half the house got it at one time or another to one degree or another. Whatever it was I hope it does not show again this year.

I’ll try to stop by to say hello at some point. I’ll be staying on Oak Bluffs Harbor again at my usual spot and will have my boat in a slip. As always, if someone in the shack wants to come out for a day and boat fish give me a shout.

FO

I'll be down on the island from Oct 5th to Oct 13th. I have all the stickers you need for Norton's and Chappy $265 worth :wall:

With the Cut open I doubt there is anyway you sneak out there and sweet talk the ranger. When I was there my dad attempted to but was told he would be arrested for trespassing unless he bought a sticker.


I have a spot for the first weekend and the second too. I may live out of my jeep during the 8th, 9th, 10th but may get in on the house for at least one night maybe two. I could help get some guys to the buggie spots if need be.

So - we're getting some interest for MV :hee: ?

I might be up for a couple of days that week....I still have 3 weeks of Vaca to burn and I've never fished the Vineyard.

TDF

The Vineyard is a great place to see for the first time. The fishing can be fantastic and even if it's slow the island is beautiful you really can't go wrong (though you say you've never fished it? have you ever been?)

mmmmm mailboxes :drool:

But you know where I will be camped for the 2 weeks ;)

I repaired that mailbox...............:rotflmao:

Nope, Never been there. Its definitely on my list though.....Maybe this will do it

TDF

The Vineyard is a great place to see for the first time. The fishing can be fantastic and even if it's slow the island is beautiful you really can't go wrong (though you say you've never fished it? have you ever been?)

I repaired that mailbox...............:rotflmao:
Of course you did:usd:

I'm in for the whole week. (1st week Oct.) This will be my first time on the island, and in fact my first real
man-cation. I am so excited I can barely control myself. A whole week with nothing to do but fish, and on a beautiful island. Looking forward to meeting and fishing with some of useguys!:wavey:

Of course you did:usd:

Chris I stay on a street now where there are no obstacles to get in my way backing up.

I can't tell anyone what kind of a host Patrick is but I can tell you that as a housemate he is a top notch guy. I stayed with Pat at the old house for I don't know how many years. I am sure he is going with the same plan that Bill and Jul's did, so I am just as sure that anyone who books with Pat for a week or two or three will enjoy themselves immensely, and have more than enough to eat. He might even tell you where to catch a bluefish large enough to weigh more than his at the awards ceremony. Even more importantly is the fact that when you stay at this house you have a built-in island resource, in the form of housemates who have fished the island for decades. Not that anyone is going to take you fishing, but a resource that normally would cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in guide fees and tips is snoring in the next bunk, is priceless.

I agree with Swimmer as I have done the same over the years..Ummm except for mowing down the mail box...:rotf3:

I agree with Swimmer as I have done the same over the years..Ummm except for mowing down the mail box...:rotf3:


I missed the whole "mail box" massacre but I did once get stalked by the Wasque Warrior:

http://www.striped-bass.com/fishing/images/stories/member/skd.jpg

:D

this will be my third year at the shack, great people, awesome liers, too much food... you almost forget you are there to fish!

A lot of tire kickers talking about week three as an informal S-B Gathering....still room open and with the reports of fish coming from the island I think we might be in for a very special Derby

there must be fish there, they haven't got the website up yet!

I thought there was going to be on line registration this year?

:skulz:

you tourists better not come to my spot during the derby.... or it might get ugly:wavey:

No problem. Just tell me where it is and I promise, I won't go there.:jump:

Update

Week three is going to be the S-B cookout .

A kind member (requesting anonymity)that made a deposit and now can not attend has donated his deposit to to help get John R (since he is out of work) to get to come. If we sell the last three spots for week three I will have enough to kick in the other half of John's Stay for the week since he does sacrifice a lot of time to keep our community site running.

There is room on all four weeks but it is filling up fast. I have paid for the house and am starting to shop for food. I can not guarantee your spot until you get me some money and confirm your dates. At this point there is more "interest" than bed space so get your plans completed and do not be left out, this is gonna be a great Derby.

This may be pre-mature but is there a date/time/place planned for the S-B gathering? I can probably help out somehow. What is needed?

John has an open invation to stay at my place should he need a place to camp out for a few nights (but only if he lets me try the ZBass:chased:...just kidding)

Jim,

John is covered for a bed at the shack...members here are awesome...now we just have to hope the boss lets him come...lol

All I know is we have been talking about some time during the first week in October.

I will touch base when I get to the island on the 16th...I will see Steveie that afternoon...FYI the house is 224 Buddy's Drive just up from the High School

is there a secret derby hat color this year?

This may be pre-mature but is there a date/time/place planned for the S-B gathering? I can probably help out somehow. What is needed?
(but only if he lets me try the ZBass:chased:...just kidding)

You can try the Z-B when I'm over there Jim ;) - Look forward to seeing you!

Going to MV is looking more and more like reality ;) - So it will be the first week of October for the S-B cookout - not sure on what day precisely ;)

Jim,

John is covered for a bed at the shack...members here are awesome...now we just have to hope the boss lets him come...lol

All I know is we have been talking about some time during the first week in October.

I will touch base when I get to the island on the 16th...I will see Steveie that afternoon...FYI the house is 224 Buddy's Drive just up from the High School

is there a secret derby hat color this year?

This may be pre-mature but is there a date/time/place planned for the S-B gathering? I can probably help out somehow. What is needed?
(but only if he lets me try the ZBass:chased:...just kidding)

You can try the Z-B when I'm over there Jim ;) - Look forward to seeing you!

Going to MV is looking more and more like reality ;) - So it will be the first week of October for the S-B cookout - not sure on what day precisely ;) - or whether it will be mid week or not.

Jim,

John is covered for a bed at the shack...members here are awesome...now we just have to hope the boss lets him come...lol - Yes - a very Sincere Thank you :)

is there a secret derby hat color this year?

RedSox Hottie Pink :yak6: (yeh, hate the premise but there are some hotties running around in that hat)

is there a secret derby hat color this year?


All I know is that pink is not available this year.:usd:

with the wife next week 9/16-22. Would like to connect with folks if that is permissable. Company for the dark side fishing would be nice. Do I need to know the secret knock and hand shake? Let me know and/or PM me info so I can look the group up if that is OK with folks.

Bob Huddy

:cool:

that sounds like such a good time, i wish i could go.

Maybe I will try to put it in my plans for next year. Is there room too keep a 19ft boat on a trailer there? Is it allowed?

Yes, we usually have 2 boats in the driveway, lots of room in the yard. The location is great, pretty central.

Zac,

That exact 19' boat has caught a lot of fish around mv

i have a new 19' boat now...

:hidin:

Last Call for a Week on the Derby :)

Great Time, Great Accommodations, and a Chance to Become Legendary in one of the greatest fishing tournaments - anywhere

You coming Boss man? I'll be there the 7th

Will be there on the 4th..Hope to see you guys:happy:

I committed to go to the Mass Bass house for 4 days and got my ferry reservations only to find I totally messed up on the moon cycle. But hey, it is always good to hang with friends and Chris had made me a Coleman rod that I wanted to pick up. As an added bonus I forget my Camera, rats!

I arrive Monday afternoon and was going to leave on Friday on the noon ferry.

The goal was to catch a Grand Slam – which is (for those of you unaware) a weighable Striped Bass, Bluefish, False Albacore and Bonito from the Surf but after stopping in at #^&#^&#^&#^&s and after taking to Steve Morris and looking at the daily catches it was time to come up with a Plan B.

After I registered, I went to the Mass Bass house – (*note to editor – a reality series based on these 5 weeks here would be much better and funnier than “guide house Montauk) met the usual suspects and learned what they were doing and the results. Patrick was expected Tuesday around dinner time.

Plan B was to charter a boat and give it a shot, I offered to take any in the house but they were committed to doing it the surf way, which is cool and I decided to charter in the mornings and fish the shore later/ earlier.

Tuesday – I take a half day charter, I decided to go with a larger boat – good idea since small craft warnings were posted and I had the ocean to myself, and had a good day. 7 bluefish, 1 albie, 1 bonito. Kept Only one of the bluefish. At the weigh in only one albie was caught all day (me) and 3 bones so I get a third place daily for the bone and have 3 out of 4. I fish state beach to little bridge in the evening into a stiff breeze for small bluefish. It was a good day

Wednesday - tough day, Patrick and Jason join me for a bone and a few bluefish; spent most of the day looking for a bass… but that is why they call it fishing and not catching. Weigh in the bone and bluefish for essentially Mystery gift lottery tickets. But since all the fish caught are donated to a local food bank I didn’t consider it mindless slaughter. Opinions may vary.

Thursday – pressure is on, I bring out the big guns, Patrick, Jason and Johnny come out with me, for added luck we see Ed Jerome and take him to his boat before we head out, I bend his ear about adding a fleece top (jacket or vest to the derby merchandise since we all have way too many sweatshirts; he will think about it) the Captain works hard, burns lots of gas and we all come home with a bass, I am happy just to see one, that I was lucky enough to get a good fish is icing on the cake, 31 pounds on the boat, 28.84 officially. Good enough to hold on for a win on the daily board.

Friday – go to Derby Headquarters, get the daily striped bass pin and the grand slam pin, pack up my stuff and off to the ferry I go.

Things are looking good for the Derby, I saw bunker / pogies / menhaden in Edgartown harbor, the moon is coming this week and I am sure things are going to bust wide open in the next few days. I may have to call in sick on a Friday and or a Monday to get back.

While I am on the line at the Vineyard Haven Ferry, when one of the workers comes over (NY plate FISH24 7) and sees the fishing rods on top and inside, tells me there was a 62 pound bass taken Sunday at Cuttyhunk, on a plug, on the south west corner on the rocks.

Oh well, as long as my car is packed, I am off on another exciting adventure.

Congrats on the Grand Slam. We couldn't find any large the first week and had a bunch of shots at Albies and Bones from shore but we were denied. Any one doing anything from shore in the house. Had one daily 3rd from shore for a Bass.

Nice work Danno :claps:



~Did you use the rod yet?

Last, last call ;)