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Stripers Invade Martha's Vineyard as Fishing Heats Up for Tautog, Flounder, and Bluefish
Published 11 months, 2 weeks ago
Description
This is your daily fishing report from Artificial Lure, coming to you live from Martha’s Vineyard on this fine May 17, 2025. The waters around the Vineyard are really waking up—warmer surface temps and longer days mean the fish are on the move and the action is heating up.
Sunrise today was 5:34 AM, and we’ll have light until sunset at 7:50 PM, so there’s a nice wide window to get out on the water and make the most of the bite. Tides will play a big role as always—outgoing has been best in recent days, especially in the rivers and backwaters[4][3].
Let’s talk fish: stripers have officially invaded the area, with recent catches pushing 40 inches reported in Buzzards Bay and those schools are sliding through Vineyard Sound now. There’s a good mix of slot and over-slot bass, especially on herring and squid, which are thick in the northern sounds right now. Schoolie bass are everywhere—hit the ponds and estuaries if you want steady action. Tautog fishing’s also been strong off the local rock piles and jetties. Flounder are picking up too for those patient enough to wait them out on the lighter gear. Offshore, if you’ve got the fuel and the time, the haddock bite’s impressive but a bit of a haul from the Vineyard. Mackerel have not moved inshore in big numbers yet, but offshore ledges have plenty if you venture out[1][2][3].
For baits and lures, now’s the time to throw what matches the hatch. Top choices are soft plastics like the classic pink Slug-Go or Albie Snax, especially if you find surface activity. Swimmers like the Redfin have worked for finicky stripers, and don’t overlook bucktails tipped with pork rinds around the jetties and rock piles. For natural bait, fresh clams, mackerel, and green crabs are your go-to for the tautog, and sea worms or squid strips will do the trick for flounder. If you’re targeting stripers, live herring or chunked bunker is king right now[3].
Hot spots to hit today: the Menemsha jetty at dawn has been producing a nice mixed bag, with schoolies and the occasional keeper striper in the white water. Try the Cape Poge Gut too—bait’s been piling up there, and with a moving tide, there’s always a shot at bigger fish. For a change of pace, the middle ground shoals off Edgartown are worth a drift for flounder and maybe even a surprise early season bluefish.
All told, the Vineyard is alive with fish right now and the next tide could be your best yet. Tight lines and see you out there[2][4].
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.
Sunrise today was 5:34 AM, and we’ll have light until sunset at 7:50 PM, so there’s a nice wide window to get out on the water and make the most of the bite. Tides will play a big role as always—outgoing has been best in recent days, especially in the rivers and backwaters[4][3].
Let’s talk fish: stripers have officially invaded the area, with recent catches pushing 40 inches reported in Buzzards Bay and those schools are sliding through Vineyard Sound now. There’s a good mix of slot and over-slot bass, especially on herring and squid, which are thick in the northern sounds right now. Schoolie bass are everywhere—hit the ponds and estuaries if you want steady action. Tautog fishing’s also been strong off the local rock piles and jetties. Flounder are picking up too for those patient enough to wait them out on the lighter gear. Offshore, if you’ve got the fuel and the time, the haddock bite’s impressive but a bit of a haul from the Vineyard. Mackerel have not moved inshore in big numbers yet, but offshore ledges have plenty if you venture out[1][2][3].
For baits and lures, now’s the time to throw what matches the hatch. Top choices are soft plastics like the classic pink Slug-Go or Albie Snax, especially if you find surface activity. Swimmers like the Redfin have worked for finicky stripers, and don’t overlook bucktails tipped with pork rinds around the jetties and rock piles. For natural bait, fresh clams, mackerel, and green crabs are your go-to for the tautog, and sea worms or squid strips will do the trick for flounder. If you’re targeting stripers, live herring or chunked bunker is king right now[3].
Hot spots to hit today: the Menemsha jetty at dawn has been producing a nice mixed bag, with schoolies and the occasional keeper striper in the white water. Try the Cape Poge Gut too—bait’s been piling up there, and with a moving tide, there’s always a shot at bigger fish. For a change of pace, the middle ground shoals off Edgartown are worth a drift for flounder and maybe even a surprise early season bluefish.
All told, the Vineyard is alive with fish right now and the next tide could be your best yet. Tight lines and see you out there[2][4].
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.