MV Derby Question on Chairman's Message 10/4
 

Hope all the stripe-bass members are doing well these days! I MISS FISHING!

Anyone know what happened here? I think I'm reading it wrong but the statement seems to say: 1) Accusations made based on witnessing he and many others used false albacore from the barge for bait (I always thought it was only lobsterman that used it). 2) Accusations were unfounded. 3) He removed his false albacore and bluefish from the competition since he did use false albacore for bait. 4) Accusations are false.

Questions: Is using false albacore from the barge illegal? Did he use false albacore to catch fish that were weighed into the derby? Perhaps he took false alborce to bait his lobster traps only? I honestly don't completely understand the statement. Can someone in the know help me understand what happended?

October 4, 2025

Statement from the Derby Chairman:

This past week, over multiple days, executive committee members conducted a thorough investigation into the accusations made regarding the legitimacy of an angler’s false albacore. These accusations were made based on witnessing the angler remove false albacore from the fillet barge which he, like many others, used for bait.

The full executive committee convened the other night to discuss the findings and concluded the accusations were unfounded. All information gathered supports the legitimacy of the angler’s catch. It is never easy to hear that someone is being accused of cheating, let alone someone with a strong moral compass.

The angler has decided to voluntarily remove his False Albacore as well as both of his bluefish (since he used false albacore from the fillet barge as bait), from consideration. For him, his commitment and dedication to protecting the integrity of the Derby far outweighs any notoriety that comes with being on the leader board.

The executive committee also discussed at length the damage these false accusations have caused to the angler’s well being. We stand behind him, support him, and appreciate his true and honest sportsmanship. I am hopeful that this year’s Derby will continue to provide a positive environment for camaraderie through shared experiences, inter-generational connections, a common passion for the outdoors and will continue to foster a welcoming atmosphere for everyone from first-timers to seasoned veterans.

As always, if you would like to discuss anything please reach out to me. Tight Lines,

Joe El-Deiry

I'm not in the "know", but my understanding is that someone saw him take a false albacore from the barge and accused him of weighing it in as something he caught, placing him on the leader board.... that's how I read it.

I know nothing about the controversy other than what is posted above but think they went overboard in defending this person. Saying "false accusations" and that "someone was accused of cheating" when they were seen taking a fish off a barge and later turned in a winning Albie and Bluefish maligns someone who was actually doing the right thing by informing the committee of what they saw. Makes it harder to go to the committee next time someone sees something suspect. Glad the person wasn't doing anything wrong.

Thanks for the viewpoints gents. I rcvd a text from someone with the link with an indication that it was "dirty pool", but I don't think that is the case. I'm going to assume no violations, but simply the intent to pick up bait. Sometimes a coincidence can create questions and doubt. I accept the committee's ruling and trust they investigated it thoroughly. I love that the integrity of the derby was preserved. Kudos to the angler and the committee. :-)

Albie was suspect based on an instagram pic posted and it appears new rules on Albies taken for bait were violated. Did not hear a thing about the two bluefish until the committee commented. There is a big shore blue “under scrutiny” as well. Seems to be a no brainer but the committee is in a bit of a bind on that one it seems. Talking to committee members you can feel the tension. Thought cheating went away with stripers but appears not to be the case this year.

Used to fish fresh water state federation and local tournaments and there were always suspected cheaters in the mix, certainly far more likely in this day and age they will be caught. Back then we didn't have these cell phones, now everyone has one ready to video you. We booted out a club member we caught, but some people want that fame or that pay check bad enough.

seeing I have never fished the derby.

what is this barge ? or the albie was taken for Bait.

what am i missing. thanks


seeing Atlantic bonito &
false albacore (2) Min: 16" Year Round 5 fish both species combined. for both Commercial and rec

There's a barge tied to the wharf next to Derby Hdqtrs. in Edgartown, where volunteers fillet fish that anglers don't want to keep and the fillets are donated to various organizations on the island over the winter. When I last fished the Derby, in what seems like a past life now, the program wouldn't even accept false albacore for filleting. There had a big barrel that local lobstermen took albies from to bait their traps.

The way to stop someone taking a big albie from the barge and later entering it is to have a volunteer on the barge clip one tail lobe, like they do with any fish that's entered.

When I fished the Derby, I would never make a report based solely on my suspicions. I remember an old veteran named #^&#^&#^&#^& Hathaway who got caught because he had a commercial license and had more dead bass on the beach than the rules allowed---you weren't supposed to weigh in any fish in that circumstance. At least that's how I remember the rules. Someone drove by in their trick and spotted the fish lying on the sand. He called out the window and said something along the lines of hey #^&#^&#^&#^&, I hope you know that you can't weigh any of those fish in. #^&#^&#^&#^& told him that he knew and they weren't fishing for the Derby. Well, guess who turned up at the weigh in the next morning with a big bass to weigh in? I think #^&#^&#^&#^& got a 10 year suspension, which in his case was almost a lifetime one. I think he was close to 80 at the time. :rotf3:

The funniest one I ever saw was the :jester: who walked into the weigh in a little before the closing with a 5-6 lb. bluefish that was obviously frozen solid, with freezer burn, and a wire leader hanging out of its mouth. There were about 15 bigger blues already weighed in. I rolled my eyes, the weighmaster saw us trying to keep from laughing out loud, and gave us a wink. He weighed the fish anyway because it wasn't going to win anything. After the guy left, he told us he was going to disqualify it from winning the daily Mystery Prize.