Good morning, anglers—Artificial Lure here, bringing you your Martha’s Vineyard fishing report for October 18th, 2025.

The Vineyard’s in classic fall mode right now: cool air, brisk north winds, and electric energy on the water. The Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby is in its final days, and excitement’s high at the weigh stations. Bluebird skies are paired with winds gusting up to 20 mph out of the north. Today’s a cool one, with highs in the upper 50s, lows dipping to the high 40s, and humidity hanging just over 60 percent, according to the local weather at Aquinnah and the MV Times. Expect a little chop but nothing the hearty island fleet can’t handle.

Sunrise hit this morning at 6:56, with sunset coming at 6:00 sharp—plenty of daylight for the early risers and the sunset crew. Tidal movement gives us a predawn high around 4:20 a.m., a midday low right before 11:00, and then the tide flows back high towards 5:00 p.m., per NOAA’s Oak Bluffs tide predictions.

Fishing action this week has been red-hot. With cool nights settling in and baitfish schools near shore, the Derby has seen impressive bass and bluefish weighed, and the false albacore bite refuses to let up. My Fishing Cape Cod Podcast recently called this "one of the most productive four-hour false albacore bites" their crew has ever seen around the Island.

Looking at the catch logs and Derby tallies, here’s the breakdown:
- **Striped bass** are the main draw. Slot and overslot keepers are cruising the south shore, up-island beaches, and the rips off Wasque.
- **Bluefish** haven’t disappointed, especially in the late afternoons, with some gator-class blues bending rods at East Beach.
- **Bonito** are still making cameo runs, though more sporadic as water temps cool off.
- **False albacore** continue to blitz off Menemsha and the Edgartown Lighthouse. If you want your drag screaming, now’s the time.

Best baits and lures?
- For bass and blues: you can’t go wrong with fresh chunked mackerel or menhaden. Locals are swearing by topwater plugs like the Super Strike Little Neck Popper at first light, and soft plastics in white or olive are getting the ‘linesiders’ when they’re finicky.
- For albies and bones: throw epoxy jigs in pink, green, or silver, or Deadly Dicks. Slim metals rigged with single hooks are key—fast retrieves mimic frantic peanut bunker and silversides.
- Bluefish will tear up just about anything shiny, so pack extra steel leaders if you’re tossing metal.

Hotspots today?
- **Menemsha jetty** has been a morning and dusk magnet for albies. Watch for the birds!
- **Wasque Point** is all about the bass, especially on the dropping tide, but be prepared for a breeze and some walking.
- **State Beach and the drawbridge** deliver bluefish and micro bass—perfect for family action or plugging after work.

As always, check your line, respect other anglers, and keep an eye on the wind—gusts could make things interesting on the south side, but some of the best action happens when the surf’s up.

That’s the bite for today, folks. Tight lines, good luck to everyone in these final Derby hours, and if you’re chasing that leaderboard, may your next cast be the winning one!

Thanks for tuning in. Don’t forget to subscribe for your daily hit of Vineyard fishing news and tactics.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI