Cool fall weather means feeding time for Bluefish, False Albacore, Striped Bass and Bonito which have grown fat all summer in warm Vineyard waters. Derby fishermen line our beaches or pile into boats trying their luck at one of the daily, weekly or grand prizes for the largest fish. Interested spectators should not hesitate to visit the weigh station which opens its doors to tired fisher-folk for two hours at 8 am and 8 pm. On a good fishing day the shed will be crowded with fishermen delighted to relate the tales of their battles with the one that didn't get away. Or, stop into any local tackle shop.
Bonito are strong, fast fish with keen eyesight and require a minimum of tackle.
They feed primarily on sand eels and make excellent raw eating. False Albacore are frequently confused with Bonito because they have similar feeding habits. But they should be easy to distinguish because they lack the Bonito's wavy scale patterns. Bluefish are difficult to release because of their sharp teeth. Use pliers when removing hooks.