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Vineyard Gamefish
STRIPED BASS
The Striper is the most prevalent gamefish in our waters. It arrives during the cold month of April and can be taken until November. They will readily take flies of all types including clousers, deceivers, sand eel imitations and squid flies to name a few. They can be found all over the island and are easily caught from shore. Peak times are Spring when fishing at Lobsterville can be outstanding and the Fall when water temperatures cool. Catching a trophy of 40 inches or more is a possibility but is becoming more difficult with the lowered size restrictions. Hot Spots: Lobsterville, Menemsha, Cape Poge, Tashmoo, Middle Ground
BLUEFISH
These voracious feeders are the second gamefish to arrive in Vineyard waters. Some years they'll begin their onslaught as early as the first week of May but most years it's not until mid-May. These first arrivals are fresh from the open ocean and are good sized ( 8-13lbs) but they only stick around for a few weeks before they move up the coast. They are replaced by smaller fish (5-7lbs) when they leave. Cape Poge Gut provides some unreal action during this early season and any fly will work. Surface flies such as poppers draw the most exciting strikes. During the warmer months the larger Bluefish head offshore but small 3 to 5 pounders can be taken around the island. Fall provides action with the big fish again some up to 15 to 18lbs. Hot Spots: Cape Poge Gut, Wasque, Lobsterville, Middle ground
BONITO
These much anticipated speedsters arrive around the middle of July with action really heating up during the month of August. These first arrivals average between 5 and 8lbs. Schools of feeding Bonito will make your knees tremble. Once hooked they'll provide you with one of the best battles you can have on a fly rod. These fish will run away from you, zig- zag back and forth, come straight back at you and then run again all at lightening speed. Any fly resembling a silverside or sand eel will work including clousers and deceivers. Bonito make excellent table fare and can be prepared any way from sushi to grilling. During September they become more scarce due to the large schools of False Albacore in our area but when the "albies" depart in October the largest Bonito of the year are caught, some up to 10 to 12lbs. Hot Spots: Menemsha, Lobsterville. Cape Poge, State Beach, Edgartown Lighthouse
FALSE ALBACORE
These exciting gamefish move in around the end of August or the start of September depending on weather conditions. They usually travel in large schools and can be seen feeding voraciously on the surface. Like their cousin the Bonito, once hooked the False Albacore will give you a fight you won't soon forget. The first run can be 100 yards or more and will leave you feeling happy about that $500.00 you just spent on that "state of the art reel." Small flies like clousers, silverside imitations, or deceivers work well but last year we caught a good number on squid flies especially in Menemsha. The flesh of the False Albacore is not good table fare so catch and release is the way to go. Once the middle of October comes most of these fish have moved out as temperatures cool. Over the last few years our "albies" have averaged only 6lbs but there are always larger fish up to 14lbs or more. Hot Spots: Menemsha, Lobsterville, Cape Poge Gut, Tashmoo, Edgartown Lighthouse