This Martha's Vineyard Fishing Report page is intended to provide information relating to current catch reports around the island. The majority of the information comes from first hand experience primarily from my daily charter boat activity as well as from other captains. Intel from beach reports is also included when it is shared.
General fishing hot spots, fishing techniques, tackle, etc. will be included but for more specific information I strongly encourage you to contact me.
6/18/2024
Fishing has been very good to excellent. Plenty of striped bass some of which exceed the legal size limit. The bluefish have begun to appear with some measuring 30 inches plus. Black sea bass have begun to join the mix as have fluke.
5/15/2024
The stripers have begun to show up in all of the usual spring hot spots. I have been out several times doing the spring "research" looking for the best spots to put people on the fish. Bluefish should be arriving any day to add to the mackerel and stripers that are here now. Another charter fishing season begins. Anxious to put fish in the boat.
6/27/2023
Spring fishing continues to be quite strong. Still lots of stripers to be caught with some keepers within the new slot limit. The bluefish bite continues to be good as well. Haven't landed one yet that was less than 30 inches, Some have measured as large as 36 inches weighing close to 20 pounds.
5/25/2023
The stripers and bluefish have arrived. Yesterday's trip was outstanding with a good quantity of nice sized
very hungry striped bass. The couple on the boat were regularly doubled up with all that they could handle on the light tackle rods. It should be a very good Memorial weekend for those that book a trip.
4/17/2023
Spring has arrived on the Vineyard. Trout and white perch are hungry and the stripers have started to arrive. Hitting the beaches daily looking for the first keeper.
Mooncusser is ready for launch any day. It looks like the new boat launch ramp will be ready in the next day or so. With the warm winter and the warmer ocean temp, I expect to start putting the first spring fish in the boat earlier this year. Can't wait !
7/6/2022
Striper fishing is still quite good. There are also some big bluefish and big sea bass to be had.
6/7/2022
Here is the good news. The fishing has really begun to heat up with good numbers of stripers, nice sized bluefish and sea bass. Top water light tackle fishing as well as deep water trolling are producing fish regularly.
Now the bad news. After many years of holding my trip pricing I am forced to increase the rates. The fuel policies of our government leave me no choice. Our fuel prices have doubled in a year. IT SUCKS but it is necessary if I am going to continue the business.
5/09/2022
Mooncusser is in the water and ready to fish. The spring striper run has begun to arrive as have the squid. Bluefish will be arriving any day. Early season charter bookings are ahead of last year and the indications are that I will have an extremely busy year fishing. Really looking forward to spending the summer on the water.
3/13/2022
Last year was an extremely busy year on the water. With the relaxation of some of the Covid restrictions lat year people were excited to come back to vacation on the Vineyard. With the removal of virtually all of the restrictions this year, the number of early bookings for home, mooring and ferry reservations are at record levels. My fishing charter bookings are already off to an exceptional start. For those who are considering a visit to MV this year for fishing or other vacation activities, I strongly urge you to book early. Charters will start around the middle of May and get progressively better each week.
6/8/21
The fish have arrived. Very good fishing for nice size bluefish and the usual size stripers. The manner of fishing doesn't matter. Fly fishing, casting, and trolling all produce fish. Knowing the hot spots is your best bet for a great day on the water.
5/24/21
Our charter season has begun. Early season fish are hungry but still small. The bigger fish and the number of species will improve over the next week or so. Currently having fun using top water lures with spinning rods for the stripers. A few bluefish are around but right now it means being in the right spot at the right time.
4/9/21
Another fishing season is just a week or so away. The first stripers should show up on the southern part of the island any day. Bluefish should join them in a month. The beach wagon is loaded with equipment for trout and stripers. Have spent several weeks prepping and upgrading the charter boat for launch. Many changes made to improve customer comfort and safety. Most of the fishing gear is new this year and ready for the fish. All indications are that this will be a very busy year on the island. Summer home rentals are way up and charter fishing bookings are showing the same increase. Bring on the fish and it's time to start the show!
12/18/20
This crazy Covid 19 2020 fishing season is over. The boat has been hauled for the winter and repairs as well as improvements have begun. New equipment has been received and is ready for use. I would evaluate the season as good to very good. The catch numbers were better than last year. Hopefully this is a positive trend that we can experience next year.
9/30/20
It's been a crazy year. The Covid 19 pandemic created an unpredictable situation on the Vineyard. A number of early vacation cancellations were stoked by constant dire announcements and regulations. While the final visitor numbers haven't been tabulated, it appears that the Vineyard economy may not have suffered as much as many others. However it seems obvious that the restaurant industry took it by far the hardest.
Overall the fishing was reasonably good. More bluefish this year but another year of small stripers. Keepers were few. We are now in the MV Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. Due to the poor striper stocks the striped bass category was removed from the contest. Still some large bonito, bluefish and false albacore are being recorded.
5/18/20
The state has opened the 2020 charter fishing season for the Vineyard effective today. Social distancing regulations apply. Face coverings apply for the captain and passengers. There is an exception for family members. Striped bass are arriving with the size and numbers increasing daily. Bluefish should be here also.
My boat has been launched and is ready for action. Contact me for bookings and we will go out have some fun.
4/20/20
It's getting to be time for spring striper season. They should be hitting the south shore of the island any day now. Bluefish generally arrive during the first week or so in May.
Positive Covid 19 reports appear to be quite small compared to many other Massachusetts locations. We should be seeing the return to limited activity shortly. Consequently, I am fully prepared to launch the boat and begin the charter fishing season as soon as the green flag waves. Hoping for a good year.
8/28/19
It's species transition time . The stripers have temporarily slacked off until mid to late September when the southern migration ramps up. Replacing them we now have false albacore joining the rocket ship Atlantic Bonito that have been here for the past few weeks. Bluefish should continue to get bigger in time for the annual M.V. Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby set to begin mid September and continuing into mid October. It's getting to be an exciting time to be on the water.
7/8/19
Still many stripers being caught along with a few bluefish. Black Sea Bass are starting to show up in numbers with some really large ones leading the pack. Additionally Atlantic Bonito have started to arrive providing some incredible action on light tackle. The bonito are early so we are hoping that it is an indication of a great season for the super speedy bones.
5/28/19
Spring striper fishing gets better every day with good numbers and larger fish being caught. During one prospecting trip we were hooking up fish every 5-10 minutes. There was good bird action indicating a lot of surface bait.
5/01/19
Spring is here along with the first signs of stripers and squid. Put my first striper on the beach today. Now it's time to work on catching the first bluefish. Squid should be arriving in the harbor any day and I will start giving them a shot as well. Tuesday the boat is launched and I will be ready for business. GAME ON!!
9/09/18
The Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby begins today. Approximately 5 weeks of around the clock fishing competition targeting striped bass, bluefish, bonito, and false albacore. Good luck to everyone. Better luck to me. Haha! Wouldn't mind winning a new truck.
8/14/2018
Fishing continues to improve. Lately the popular catch is Atlantic bonito. A very strong and exciting fighting fish that is similar to tuna in taste raw and grilled. The REAL BONUS is the sudden and completely unexpected arrival of mahi-mahi a fish normally found far offshore. I boated one on Friday and two more were reported yesterday. My understanding is that they have never been found this close to the Vineyard.
7/25/2018
Striper fishing has slowed mostly due to the warmer water temperatures. Black Sea Bass have shown up in numbers providing consistent action. Anxiously awaiting the arrival of bonito. They should be here any day.
6/17/2018
Striper fishing has been improving daily. Nearly all of the fish caught while trolling are "keeper" size. There is a lot of good fishing using spinning tackle. The fish are feeding aggressively in the rip lines and they are hitting top water plugs as well as soft baits and squid flies. These fish are a little smaller but "keepers" are in the mix.
5/30/2018
Very good day on the water yesterday. Stripers have begun showing up in better numbers. Keepers are mixed in with the schoolies and they are feeding. I used some swimming lures but I am sure that they would have hit top water plugs as well. I did not boat any bluefish but frankly I wasn't looking for them. There are some nice ones being caught though. Fishing should continue to get better and better as the weeks progress into July.
4/26/2018
The first striped bass have appeared off the south side of the island. There are also reports that they have been seen chasing the herring in the herring runs. Surf fishing from the beach with a light surf rod equipped with a 1 oz. lead headed jig with a rubber tail attached is generally productive. I like to add a white or green clouser about 20" above the jig. This setup often produces double hook ups. These fish are primarily schoolies but occasional keepers can be had.
4/2/2018
Nice large rainbow, tiger and brown trout have been stocked in the local ponds. Catch rate has been very good. Schoolie stripers should appear off the beach on or before the 4/15.