Who's fishing it?
Why do you fish it?
What do like about it?
What do you dislike about it?

Thanks, and good luck.

I don't like any kind of fishing that has to do with a Deby, Prize money or such. I fish for relaxation and to eliviate stress not to add to it.

Derbies also ensure crowds to certain areas. Maybe thats good for motel, cottage rentals, food, gas and tackle shops but nevertheless it just adds pressure to an already overstressed shore.

Lot's of fish get killed needlessly to capture a prize, albies in the MV derby were a good example, Striped bass are next in line.

Not making the trip this year due to a change in plans which includes my first ever trip to Cutty. I usually go over with three friends and stay right in e'town at the harborside. Lots of activity and fun had every year. The fishing, or should I say my results, were very disappointing in the six years I went. I like the derby because it’s a good competition and run very well. I'll be back some day, but the surf fishing on the island has been very sub par from what I've seen and experienced. Time for a change this year.

Never went and have no plans to! For the same reasons Flaptail listed! Not a big tournament guy! I sign up for the Striper Cup to enjoy the celebration with friends at the end and maybe win a boat! I do not like crowds when I am fishing....I will stick to my quiet island! Have hyeard folks who go really enjoy it though and I applaud them for enjoying themselves....I have heard its a great time and very well run!:kewl:

My 2cents say's it's only for OTW's pocketbook along with other's who are in cahoots with them..killing of fish for a prize isn't what fishing is about as Flap said....shame alot more big fish are being killed that wouldn't be targeted more then normal if it wasn't for this deby.

Why I like/fish the derby.

Sleeping on the beach, leftovers at Bubba's, sitting around a table with guys older than you imparting thier wisdom to everyone else sitting there, sunrise at Wasque, sunrise at Tashmoo over my right shoulder, watching my wife walk into the weigh station with a really tiny bluefish and the weigh master in 1984 was kind enough to weigh the fish for her, hitting the grand slam in 2003, weighing in an albie because your only allowed to weigh in three, so you have to pick em right, watching 30 people try to fish on Menemsha jetty, seeing the joy on any kids face when they bring a fish into the weigh-in, CATCHING A BONE, see my brother relax, just to have the joy of driving off the boat in Vineyard Haven/Oak Bluffs, have a cup of coffee and a chocolate chip cookie in Coop's and once-again look at the picture of my bass on the wall, eat at Linda Jeans, leftovers at Bubba's, count how may dune monsters I hear at night, hang out with people who fish solely because it brings them personal joy and relaxation and for no other reason, sip Root Beer snappes iced in a glass sitting on the beach at night, catching 17.60 # bluefish, seeing my buddy Paul Shultz, running into people from the early 70's when I lived there (some are still kicking around), fishing wood most of the time, plastic very little, bunker at night here and there, tins in the morning.

For the most part everyone pays attention to the leader board and doesn't kill a fish just to weigh it in. Kill it mostly when it will affect tourney outcome. Like bumping someone off the board. I am not saying this is true in all cases. It certainly is with the albies though.

I agree with Slammer. My father has fished the derby for over 30 years and growing up I always enjoyed the stories he told. This weekend I got my first taste of the atmosphere and thought it was great. Even though I was only on the island for about 30 hours I enjoyed every second of it. Although I didn't register this year, I still went to #^&#^&#^&#^&'s with my father and brother as they registered, we then meet up with some long time fishing buddies at Big Bridge, were I only got frustrated because I couldn't reach the one decent school of albies I saw all weekend. That night we hit Menemsha and the next day we were in the boat all day. Although I didn't catch any monsters, it was a great experience and I can't wait until next fall when I can fish it longer.

Both the Striper Cup and the Derby are generally conservative for those who follow the regulations, and much of what is weighed in at the Derby is prepared for senior centers and shelters around the island. However, I do believe that the daily prizes result in smaller fish being weighed in. Since winning a key to the grand prize Whaler in 89, my father may have weighed in 20 fish, or about one fish per year. If done correctly, the Derby can be a great experience without any unnecessary killing of fish. That's my two cents.

I do think they should hold an annual turkey and skunk derby.

Why I like/fish the derby.

Sleeping on the beach, sitting around a table with guys older than you imparting their wisdom to everyone else sitting there, sunrise at Wasque, sunrise at Tashmoo over my right shoulder, seeing the joy on any kids face when they bring a fish into the weigh-in, CATCHING A BONE,driving off the boat in Vineyard Haven/Oak Bluffs, hang out with people who fish solely because it brings them personal joy and relaxation and for no other reason,fishing wood most of the time, plastic very little,tins in the morning.


Sorry Swimmer, I chopped up your post. But you hit some of my big reasons balls on. I love the camaraderie, seeing Johnny C in the morning making breakfast asking how the night went. Watching the old guard roll out of the house picturing them back in their days..

I guess I don't fish it for the tourny, I just use that as the excuse to disappear from real life for a week or so and most importantly to spend some time with me...

I thought they didn't give daily prizes for albies any more--just weeklies and the grand leaders :confused:

Sorry Swimmer, I chopped up your post. But you hit some of my big reasons balls on. I love the camaraderie, seeing Johnny C in the morning making breakfast asking how the night went. Watching the old guard roll out of the house picturing them back in their days..

I guess I don't fish it for the tourny, I just use that as the excuse to disappear from real life for a week or so and most importantly to spend some time with me...

I fish the Derby because you are fishing with legends past and present, fishing places that absolutely touch the soul, fish with friends that I do not get to see enough of, fish harder than I want and sometimes I get to rest harder than I want. I love the island, the community, the smaller community of anglers that we gather with.

I like freezing my butt off on Big/Little Bridge on a could clear night and seeing the Northern lights. I like the Chowder on the Ferry coming over ~ when I'm not taking the freight ferry.

I like chasing bass then chasing Albies, before chasing sleep.

I like releasing bass that could be a daily while I look for (and can't find ~ yet ) the one that could win it all. Hooking into the occasional outboard motor.

I like showing up at the Conga Line just north of Wasque and seeing friends I see only in late September and early October every few years. I like seeing Bill & Jules & the O'Rourke brothers yelling "No Pain",seeing The Hess Brothers, the Pollock Brothers, & the other MSBA folk.

I like fishing opportunities that simply do not present them else at other times and places.

And I like to see what Johnny C is carving for that day.

And I like to see what Johnny C is carving for that day.

I am a big fan of the Golf ball blow boat ;)

As others have said it is much more than just fishing a tourny. Just to be on that island surrounded by friends is some of the best times in life. Probably not going to get over this year but will be back soon for sure. Wish it didn't cost so much to drive over, makes a 24hr trip out of the question.

Why I like/fish the derby.

Sleeping on the beach, leftovers at Bubba's, sitting around a table with guys older than you imparting thier wisdom to everyone else sitting there, sunrise at Wasque, sunrise at Tashmoo over my right shoulder, watching my wife walk into the weigh station with a really tiny bluefish and the weigh master in 1984 was kind enough to weigh the fish for her, hitting the grand slam in 2003, weighing in an albie because your only allowed to weigh in three, so you have to pick em right, watching 30 people try to fish on Menemsha jetty, seeing the joy on any kids face when they bring a fish into the weigh-in, CATCHING A BONE, see my brother relax, just to have the joy of driving off the boat in Vineyard Haven/Oak Bluffs, have a cup of coffee and a chocolate chip cookie in Coop's and once-again look at the picture of my bass on the wall, eat at Linda Jeans, leftovers at Bubba's, count how may dune monsters I hear at night, hang out with people who fish solely because it brings them personal joy and relaxation and for no other reason, sip Root Beer snappes iced in a glass sitting on the beach at night, catching 17.60 # bluefish, seeing my buddy Paul Shultz, running into people from the early 70's when I lived there (some are still kicking around), fishing wood most of the time, plastic very little, bunker at night here and there, tins in the morning.

For the most part everyone pays attention to the leader board and doesn't kill a fish just to weigh it in. Kill it mostly when it will affect tourney outcome. Like bumping someone off the board. I am not saying this is true in all cases. It certainly is with the albies though.

Ditto Bro,Ditto:soon:
I would like to add driving the beach and inner trails out to the Gut
from Wasque..What a beautiful place and a beautiful time to be there...:fishin:

A few more things about the derby...

Stopping at the triangle for coffee and donuts at 5:00 am and seeing the same girl thats been working there for years..

Waiting in line for the "on time ferry" because you cant run the beach because of the breach...Being first on the ferry and thinking "make sure to hit the brake and not the gas"

Going to the weight station at night...

Its not just a tourney.. Its a great time to socialize with friends past & present

Seeing old friends from MSBA ect and making new ones..Cooking food on the grille on the beach

And just plain RELAXING with my brother..I have to thank Swimmer for inviting me years ago..Must be about 15 years now..

There are tears of memory and gratitude in my eyes just from reading this post. This could take a bit but I will try to answer the questions:

The MV Striped Bass and Bludfish Derby is many things for many people. Sure it's a tournament with all the competition, passion, pride,ego, jealously and backstabbing found at all other tournaments.

HOWEVER, it can be and is a whole lot more. It is a gathering, an orientation, and a reunion all at once. It is where old school meets new school in one common effort. It is relaxing for some and hard core for others. It really is up to the individual. My favorite description is that it is a collection of experiences and stories , all happening simultaneously and all having to do with salt water fishing. For a guy like me, it is heaven on earth. Oh yeah, just like most things in life, it surely is not perfect.

Describe my view of the Derby in one word....ASTRONAUGHT TRAINING

If memory serves me correctly this year will be the 21st time I have registered, not all in a row. My ferry departs next Sunday the 21st and I come home three weeks later and one week earlier than usual on Oct 12.

This year I will share the Basic Fishing Shack with Johnny C from MSBA, Eric from NJBBA and NJ BOB the cop from team Suffix. SurfPirate (S-B) and Wayne (MSBA Membership Chair) will be there as well. Hardcorefromsshore (MSBA President) and my Wendy will come and go. Scotty (S-B), Drumcorpsfan (S-B), Dennis (MSBA) will also join us. There are more but I would need to read the list. Bob H from S-B is coming for the first time....welcome.

My Derby experience has mirrored my life's experience.

Early on it was an accident. I was on the Island and was invited to fish with friends that were in the Derby. Those early years were short stays but I kept coming back. I think I have always known Islanders. I vividly remember the long walks through mysterious and dark woods to reveal the most beautiful beaches filled with boulders and other structure. Those times lit the fire and I fell in love with that Island.

As my life went down hill so did my Derby visits. Go to the Derby and barely wet a line. Spend most of the time drunk or stoned or both. Yep, I used to resemble that and finally the gov't decided I had some place else to be.

I grew up (at least I got clean) and my Derby experience really took off when I joined and got involved with MSBA. I got active in the club and eventually got invited to attend "The Fishing Shack", which is a "Derby House" and at the time was run by Bill (& Jules). A "Derby House" is a rented or owned house where groups of fishermen and women share expenses and experience the Derby.

There was a lot of fun at the Fishing Shack. I remember being so frustrated that the shore fly rod bluefish was only 3 pounds that I left a note stating I would not come home until I beat it. Three days later the crew was on the way out to Norton Point to drive over to Chappy and found me at Katama (air down area) passed out, droolling, hanging out the window in the front seat of my full size Ram Charger, which was running and after they woke me up we found out it was in drive. Funny now. No, I didn't get the Blue but I did get second a few years later....right Mr Swimmer...lol.

How about John R and I trying to drive from Squibby to the Chappy Ferry...we woke up at the ferry line in Edgartown, realizing we were in no shape to walk, never mind drive. I do not beleive we didn;t get in an accident that morning.

I know a few on this board that will remember the time Uncle Dave came home to the South Shore from the Derby asking all the tackle shops the same question. How do you get the smell of pee out of your waders?...too funny.

Finally, no one laughed harder than when in the company of Johnny and Joe. Joe is in FL and we miss him greatly! I think I went to that house for 10 years and each year was special.

Four years ago (where does the time go??) Bill & Jules launched the charter business and I stepped up to be the next caretaker of the "Shack". Their help was invaluable that first year and today I have put my own stamp on what is now called the "Basic Fishing Shack". We still got a few openings 9/21-9/28 and 10/5-10/12. Pm me.

I agree with Swimmer on his comment about the moment you drive off that Ferry upon arrival. Damn that feels great. I am reminded of that feeling when watching a scene from the movie The Perfect Storm. You know the scene, when leaving Gloucester Harbor the Captain is thinking...pass Gull Island....wave to the lighthouse keepers boy...that's what that drive off the ferry feels like. Better than any drug I ever tried and up until almost 14 years ago I tried almost all of them.

I drive straight to #^&#^&#^&#^&'s to register and catch up with Steve. Then go get the key to the rental. When I get there Johnny is already in the driveway. Johnny is so impotant to me I can not express it, I never knew my grandfather but I know what having a grandfather is all about. I look forward to watching Johnny C, Charlie B. and Charlie C(into) make their annual fishing trip. To see that kind of enthusiasm from men of that age. To witness the life long friendships and the smiles that reach the soul is................priceless.

I look forward to the Death March to the Stand at Squibby at least once sometimes a lot. The walk (why is it always blowing and raining) to fish under Gay Head and watch the cliffs appear to bleed. The calm of Split Rock and the excitement of Menemsha. I love "the long and bumpy road" to Tashmoo. I love finding new spots or learning one of the ponds has been cut. "Is there any Squid?" "Did you hear Lev weighed another monster?" and my favorite question..."Wanna hop on the boat and fish Nantucket?" These are the things I remember and look forward too. This is why I fish the Derby.

Sure there are things I don't like. Anyone who wins or does well is accused by someone of cheating. It has happenned to me. There are always false rumors started to lure people to spots away from the fish. Friends lie to your face about the fishing. I just accept the negative as rare and choose to experience all the good things, which far outweigh the bad.

I meet new friends every year and look forward to the next moment. ReelExtacy said it right...you step off the planet for a moment and everything is at peace and about the hope of fishing.

So did I answer the questions...I hope so!!!!!

See you there.
Almost forgot...revisiting the place I learned to and caught my first (several) flyrod fish

Oh - And Patrick - Google Point :hihi:

You Guys that have not been there don't knock it till you try it.
I'll be there only 25th to 29th because of time constraints w/new job.

Crowded you say ?? I was on East beach last year (Found a "spot" off the beaten path) had the whole damn beach to myself, with the exception of some Albies crashing bait 10 ft from shore. Can't wait to get there.
Make that 31 people on the Menemsha Jetty this year Frank:bshake:.

Oh - And Patrick - Google Point :hihi:


John you are killling me...lmao...I almost forgot about that place...damn fishy looking...even from a satellite laid over a beta version of a chart...I hope I marked it in the map book:wavey:


Come on John...you have to come for some time...let's make a deal...I am rigging Billy's cooler rack on the new :ss:

John you are killling me...lmao...I almost forgot about that place...damn fishy looking...even from a satellite laid over a beta version of a chart...I hope I marked it in the map book:wavey:


Come on John...you have to come for some time...let's make a deal...I am rigging Billy's cooler rack on the new :ss:
:hihi: I'm trying - might be able to get 3-4 days over during week

Basic Patrick really hit it home, well done.


The only time I've actually been able to meet people from this board was on the island during the derby. It's really is about the experience not "killing fish". Last year I fished for 9 days, the year before I was down for the whole thing helping film a documentary about it. Unfortunately this year I might only get down for the very last weekend but you bet your A$$ I'll be fishing hard.

A funny story from last year. The first weekend I was down for a wedding and was going to stay the whole week cause my dad and his crew were coming the next weekend. We had a house the first few days but I was houseless for the middle of the week. BP had given me his # in case I needed to crash at the shack but I ended up fishing off east beach one morning and caught a few albies I end up meeting Wilson Kerr a member of the derby committee. We had a great morning and I told him my situation with out blinking he offers to let me stay at his house and crash in the bunk-bed room. We end up fishing together for the next 3 days! This was a guy I just met on the beach?

He basically taught me the art of fly fishing for albie's off the jetties. I spent 10 hours on the lobsterville jetty with out anything happening but the fish were around. The next day we go back and before I know it I'm hooked up on the fly rod! I never weighed the albie she swam away but all the time and effort was worth every second. I ended up catching 2 more albies on the fly.

I love the vineyard. I see the derby as a convient excuse to get down to enjoy one of the most beautiful places in New England in the fall!

I hope to see some of you down there, maybe we can wet a line together and who knows I might just invite myself over for some much needed sleep :biglaugh:

I don't post here much but I'm a sucker for Derby talk....

This will be my 15th year fishing the Derby. In 1994 my father convinced me to join him on what was probably his 20th Derby trip at the time. He spent all those years staying in "the Maine house" - the guys from Portland Surfcasters. Had it not been for a business acquaintence that turned into a lifelong friend, he never would have started going, and neither would me or my brother. All the sentiments brought up by others are dead nuts on. I'm going down on 9/25 and my brother, a mutual friend and I have been emailing each other all week jabbering on about the Derby. It's definitely an additiction.

That Maine house has been a great place to learn about the island and the Derby "culture". A lot of those guys (many of you here know them) have been doing this since the late '60s when MV was a totally different place. Paul, Louie, Sonny, Pete, etc. These guys, although 30-50 years older than me, have provided invaluable info to me over the years that I've had the pleasure of their company.

I can't think of a better place to be in the fall, especially when it means getting to spend uninterrupted time with my brother and father. Our lives get so busy the rest of the year, it's great to spend a few days (or a couple weeks as it used to be before children) only concerned with one thing - fishing.

Several years ago I caught the albie sickness and since about 2000 have spent 90% of my Derby time dedicated to the pursuit of these speedsters. Most of our albie fishing is spent on East Beach where crowds are never a problem. On a Saturday afternoon you may run into a group of 4x4s and beachgoers having a cookout, but finding an open fishing spot is never an issue.

Good luck to all Derby participants. Maybe I'll get the pleasure of meeting some of you this year.

I don't post here much but I'm a sucker for Derby talk....

This will be my 15th year fishing the Derby. In 1994 my father convinced me to join him on what was probably his 20th Derby trip at the time. He spent all those years staying in "the Maine house" - the guys from Portland Surfcasters. Had it not been for a business acquaintence that turned into a lifelong friend, he never would have started going, and neither would me or my brother. All the sentiments brought up by others are dead nuts on. I'm going down on 9/25 and my brother, a mutual friend and I have been emailing each other all week jabbering on about the Derby. It's definitely an additiction.

That Maine house has been a great place to learn about the island and the Derby "culture". A lot of those guys (many of you here know them) have been doing this since the late '60s when MV was a totally different place. Paul, Louie, Sonny, Pete, etc. These guys, although 30-50 years older than me, have provided invaluable info to me over the years that I've had the pleasure of their company.

I can't think of a better place to be in the fall, especially when it means getting to spend uninterrupted time with my brother and father. Our lives get so busy the rest of the year, it's great to spend a few days (or a couple weeks as it used to be before children) only concerned with one thing - fishing.

Several years ago I caught the albie sickness and since about 2000 have spent 90% of my Derby time dedicated to the pursuit of these speedsters. Most of our albie fishing is spent on East Beach where crowds are never a problem. On a Saturday afternoon you may run into a group of 4x4s and beachgoers having a cookout, but finding an open fishing spot is never an issue.

Good luck to all Derby participants. Maybe I'll get the pleasure of meeting some of you this year.

Hi Scott..Frank and myself will be at the Maine house starting oct 8th..:kewl:

It was a short, pleasant recess between the end of the commercial and the start of the MV Derby. During that brief interval of time, I knew that every boat that was out there, or went by me, and every fisherman I saw or was standing next to...was out there because they really really loved it. Maybe that's why I saw so damned few other boats and other fishermen! And they'll all be gone out and off of the island, mercifully, after Oct. 17th, when the Derby ends.

In seasons past, when I had to fish the island during the Derby weeks, and despite them, I found the crowding distasteful to my peace and quiet. I would often pick a spot more to escape the scrutinizing curiosity of the Derbyites, rather than pick a better choice for the fishing.

Bonds to all who love it enough to release them.

Where do I begin...

Hard to come up with something I haven't heard already from my fellow derby lovers...

It begins with the preparation and packing the jeep, which seems to come at the last minute, despite all the planning...
Getting to and getting on the ferry, where the first really deep breaths and smiles of the week come as I look ahead and realize the island isn't really THAT far away (although it seems like another planet once you get there)...
Going to Larrys and signing up, then driving up the road to the fishing shack to see who's in attendance that week...
Pouring over the tide charts, checking weather/wind reports to decide the first nights fishing plans, and just getting into "derby mode"...
The first night out, which like most nights is proceeded by my personal pre-game routine of making a fine strong cup of coffee with my fresh grounds in a french press in the parking lot... (this is why I fish alone most nights, as I feel like I am slowing down my potential fishing buddies who are ready to jump out of the truck and fish)...
Being out on the most beautiful (IMHO) beaches around on dark nights with countless stars (and "shooting" stars) giving thanks just to be there...
Meeting and fishing with guys from the site and absorbing their wisdom about the derby and fishing in general...
Burning more batteries than usual scouting the parking lots and beaches for the incredible skunk population...
Watching even the most seasoned derby folk chasing the fisherman as much as (or more than) the fish...
Sitting down to the delicious meals alternately prepared my my fishing shack mates, to fuel us for the 2 tide nights all week, discussing plans and strategies...
Coming home or waking up to Johnny Cherico's breakfast and filling him in on the previous night's action or lack thereof...
Getting my stones busted by Johnny's friend Charlie Barr...
Chipping in around the shack and trying to put away the cooking supplies in places that Johnny can find them the next morning:laugha:
Pacing inconspicuously around the weigh-in station drinking the free coffee and listening to the local tackle-store rats and island sharpies speculating on where the leading fish was taken...
Daytime beach walks/scouting trips and bumping into late-season clothing-optional sunbathers...:blush:
Driving around an Island (I am a slow driver) at my own pace and not getting people driving up my a$$ and honking...
Getting grilled and complimented by Janet M. after weighing a good fish...
Seeing even the non-fishing touristas get exited about the whole thing...

I could go on and bore you more, I guess in the end it's what you make of it. My number one goal is relaxation and enjoyment and I find it pretty easy to avoid the crowds if you are so inclined. My only regret is not getting into the "other" fish as much, which I plan to do more of next year.
I think you can't compare this derby to something like the Cup because the parameters are so different. You gotta do it from the island and you only have 4 weeks to do it. You can't catch fish that aren't there no matter how good you are or how hard you fish. Sure there's a lot of luck involved but as the same names surface year after year it's obvious there is plenty of skill and experience required to be on the board consistently. Thanks to Patrick, Wendy, Johnny, Wayne C, the NJ guys Eric and Bob and Leo for putting up with my pacing and blabbering last week. I can't wait till next year!!:buds: