October 15, 2025 Fishing Report – Martha’s Vineyard

Good afternoon, anglers. This is Artificial Lure, checking in with today’s hot scoop from the Vineyard. We’ve just pushed through a three-day nor’easter that had the harbor lights flickering, boats breaking free, and the flats showing a little extra chop—but the fish didn’t seem to mind. The National Weather Service notes we got 2 to 3 inches of rain, but the Vineyard avoided the worst of it; Cape Cod took the heavier soaking. Wind gusts topped out around 53 mph at the airport, and minor flooding lingered in low spots like Edgartown Harbor, but conditions are quickly clearing. With the storm now moving offshore, the ocean’s settling down, the water clarity is improving, and the bite is picking up, especially in the wake of that big barometric swing.

Let’s talk tides for today. Over at the mouth of Lake Tashmoo, tide times show a strong flow—use the tide chart for real-time specifics, but expect water moving fast this morning, with slack periods worth targeting as the fish start to feed. Early risers were treated to a crisp, clear sunrise around 6:45 a.m. and we’ll see sunset just before 6:00 p.m.—plenty of daylight for both shore and boat anglers. Water temps are ticking down, which means the fall run is peaking, and the fish know it.

Activity’s been busy from Buzzards Bay to Nantucket Sound, with reports indicating a classic mixed bag. According to Eastman Sport & Tackle in Falmouth and Sports Port in Hyannis, false albacore, striped bass, and tautog are all stacked up and feeding hard, making this one of the best weeks of the year. The Average Angler has spotted bluefish and bonito cruising the south side, along with a smattering of schoolie bass. No surprise, it’s the usual fall suspects—tight schools of albies and bonito tearing up the surface, blues blitzing bait close to shore, and keeper-size stripers hitting near structure. Tautog are showing on rocky bottoms, with the larger fish moving in as water temperatures drop. It’s not wide-open off the charts, but the bite is steady, with boats and surfcasters both hooking up.

For those looking to put fish in the kayak or the cooler, let’s talk lures and baits. For albies and bonito, small epoxy jigs, deadly dicks, and Hogy soft plastics in pink, olive, and white are crushing it—match the hatch on the peanut bunker and silversides that are thick in the rips. For stripers, switch between darters, SP Minnows, and swimbaits; if you’re bottom fishing for tautog, green crabs are your ticket—they can’t resist a fresh chunk. Blues are hitting topwaters and metal—try a Cotton Cordell Pencil Popper or a Kastmaster, and watch the water explode. On the bait side, fresh-cut squid, live eels, and clam bellies are producing when the bite slows down. Remember, after a storm, those clams get churned up and broken—nature’s chum, so hit those sandy points and beaches for best results.

Now, a couple hot spots to burn into your GPS. Menemsha rip is lit up with albies—get there early and work the edges. The south side beaches from Lobsterville to Squibnocket are holding blues and schoolies, especially around the jetties. The Hooter, that rocky ledge off Wasque, is a tautog magnet—drop your crab and hang on. And don’t overlook Norton Point, where the tide rips and the stripers stack up. Always keep an eye on the jetties and harbors—boat traffic’s up, but so is the bait, and the fish are always close behind.

In conclusion, it’s a classic Vineyard fall day—weather’s clearing, tides are strong, and the fish are in. Gear up with those small metals for the pelagics, bring a few crabs for the tog, and don’t forget the big plugs for the bass. Stay safe, watch the currents, and respect the flats—they’re healing after that storm. Most of all, go enjoy the best fishing of the year.

Thank you for tuning in, and remember—if you want it hot, fresh, and straight from the water,...