Artificial Lure's Martha's Vineyard Fishing Report
May 28, 2025

Good morning anglers! Artificial Lure here with your mid-week fishing update for Martha's Vineyard and surrounding waters.

The fishing scene is red hot right now with striped bass showing up in strong numbers all around the island. These last few weeks have seen a significant migration pushing through, with fish ranging from schoolies to some impressive slot-sized specimens and even a few over-slot monsters[1][2]. The waters between the Vineyard and Buzzards Bay are particularly active as we ride the momentum of the May 12th moon tide that brought in a fresh wave of fish[2].

Weather-wise, we're looking at mild conditions today with a gentle southwest breeze - perfect for both boat and shore fishing. Tides are running with a morning high around 9:15 AM and low tide hitting about 3:30 PM. For you early birds, sunrise was at 5:12 AM, and we'll have lines in until sunset at 8:17 PM.

Bluefish have made their seasonal appearance right on schedule, with some choppers measuring up to 30 inches being reported in the usual spots[4]. They showed up mid-May as expected and should stick around well into the fall[3]. These blues are aggressive and hitting topwater lures with abandon.

Black sea bass fishing has been excellent since the season opened on May 17th, with many anglers reporting limits. They're providing some tasty alternatives to the catch-and-release striper action[4]. Some fluke are also starting to mix in, expanding your potential dinner options.

Bait-wise, there's plenty of squid and herring in the water, particularly around the north end of Buzzards Bay[2]. For artificial options, Redfins have been working well for stripers, especially during outgoing tides which have consistently produced better results[2][5]. For the blues, nothing beats a popper or metal lure worked aggressively.

Hot spots to check out: Menemsha has been producing well for both boat and shore anglers. The south side beaches near Vineyard Sound are seeing consistent action with those migratory stripers moving through[2]. For boat captains, the waters between West Chop and Woods Hole have been particularly productive during tide changes.

For tautog enthusiasts, the rocky areas in northern Buzzards Bay are holding good numbers throughout the tide cycles[2].

Remember folks, the outgoing tide has been the key to finding the best striper action so plan accordingly[5]. Tight lines until next time!

Your local fish-head,
Artificial Lure

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Martha's Vineyard fishing report for this gorgeous Monday, May 26th, 2025.

It's shaping up to be a fantastic day on the water around our island. We've got a falling tide this morning with low tide coming around midday, so plan your trips accordingly to take advantage of the moving water.

The striped bass migration is in full swing now! Those bass that were spotted in Buzzards Bay a couple weeks ago have definitely made their way to our waters, with some impressive specimens pushing 40 inches being caught. If you're heading out today, focus on the rips in Nantucket Sound where the bass have been feeding actively. They're not quite stacked up yet, but patient anglers are finding success.

Bluefish have also invaded our local waters, providing some aggressive action from the bays to the beaches. If you're targeting blues, don't forget your steel leaders unless you want to donate some tackle to these toothy critters!

The squid fishing has been productive recently, with good catches reported in the evenings. My own trips last week yielded 17 squid on Monday and 36 on Tuesday, so that's worth trying if you're looking to fill the cooler.

Winter flounder fishing has been excellent on the north side of Cape Cod, with some nice fish up to 20 inches being landed. For those targeting tautog, the bite remains steady with plenty of keepers, and jumbo scup have been showing up as bycatch.

For lures, match what the bass are feeding on - herring patterns have been working well. Minnow plugs and metal lips have also been productive for shore anglers. If you prefer bait fishing, herring chunks and live herring have been effective, especially when fishing deeper water.

Hot spots to try today include Middle Ground, which might be starting to heat up now, and Woods Hole where I landed a nice bass just shy of keeper size earlier this month. The rips in Nantucket Sound are worth checking out as well.

Remember that sunrise was at 5:20 AM and sunset will be around 8:00 PM, giving you plenty of daylight hours on the water. The weather has finally stabilized after some colder patterns, which should help improve the bite all around.

That's it for today's report from Martha's Vineyard. Get out there and enjoy the holiday Monday on the water if you can! This is Artificial Lure signing off until tomorrow. Tight lines, everyone!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Martha's Vineyard fishing report for Sunday, May 25th, 2025.

We're in the sweet spot of spring fishing now, folks! The water's warming up nicely since that unusually cold start we had this season. Today's looking to be a beauty with moderate temperatures and light winds - perfect for getting out on the water.

Striped bass action has really picked up over the last few weeks. What started as mainly holdovers in our rivers and salt ponds has transformed into a solid run of fresh fish. Schoolies are abundant along the South Shore, and I've gotten reports of some nice keeper-sized bass being taken at Menemsha and Chappaquiddick. Early mornings and evenings are your best bet, especially around the tide changes.

Speaking of tides, we've got a high tide around mid-morning today with another in the evening, creating perfect feeding windows at dawn and dusk. Sunrise was about 5:15 AM, and sunset will be around 8:10 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to work with.

The bluefish have arrived! Just as expected, those big choppers started showing up mid-May and they're hungry. South-facing beaches are your best bet, particularly Wasque Point and South Beach. Don't forget those wire leaders, folks - these blues will slice through mono like it's nothing!

Tautog fishing remains excellent in Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. The rockpiles outside river mouths are consistently producing keeper-sized fish, especially during falling tides when that warmer water pushes out. Green crabs are still the top bait, but jigs tipped with crab are working well too.

Black sea bass season is now open, and the fishing has been fantastic! Boats heading out from Oak Bluffs are reporting limits of sea bass in the deeper structure, with some nice fluke mixed in as a bonus.

For lures, I'm seeing great results with white and chartreuse soft plastics for the stripers, particularly paddle tails on 1-ounce jigheads. Diamond jigs and heavy metals are working for the blues, while squid strips and seaworms are producing for those targeting fluke and sea bass.

Hot spots this week: The rip at Wasque Point has been fire for both stripers and blues, especially on the outgoing tide. For the boat anglers, the deep structure off Oak Bluffs is loaded with sea bass, and Middle Ground between us and Falmouth is producing some nice mixed bags of stripers and blues.

That's it for today, folks. Tight lines and see you on the water!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Martha's Vineyard fishing report for this fine Saturday, May 24th, 2025.

Folks, it's shaping up to be another beautiful day on the Vineyard! We've got sunrise at 5:12 AM and sunset at 8:07 PM, giving you plenty of daylight hours to wet your lines. Today's weather is looking mighty fine - partly cloudy skies with temps hitting the mid-70s and a gentle southwest breeze at 5-10 knots. Perfect conditions to be out on the water!

Tide-wise, we've got high tide coming in around 9:15 AM and again at 9:40 PM, with low tide around 3:30 PM. That falling tide in the afternoon should be prime time for targeting those hungry stripers and blues.

Speaking of stripers, they're really showing up in numbers now! The spring migration is in full swing, with schoolies abundant all around the island and some keeper-sized bass mixed in. The east end of the Canal and Buzzards Bay have been producing consistent catches. Water temps have finally climbed into the low 50s, and that's got the fish actively feeding.

Bluefish have arrived right on schedule! They've been tearing up baits along the south-facing beaches, with some nice choppers in the mix. If you're after blues, beef up those leaders and throw some metal lures or popping plugs.

Sea bass season is now open, and limits are being caught in Buzzards Bay with some fluke and bluefish as bycatch. Flounder fishing remains strong in the deeper channels.

Tautog are still holding on rock piles outside river mouths, especially during falling tides. Green crabs with trimmed legs remain the top bait, though jigs are working well too.

For hot spots, I'd recommend trying Menemsha Harbor early morning for stripers - they've been hitting white bucktail jigs tipped with pork rind. The rips off Chappaquiddick have been productive during tide changes, and Wasque Point has been giving up some nice blues on diamond jigs and poppers.

Bait-wise, fresh herring is king right now if you can get it. The herring runs are thick, and that's what the predators are keyed in on. Chunked mackerel and squid are solid alternatives.

For the artificials crowd, white or bone-colored topwater plugs during dawn and dusk, switching to swimming plugs or soft plastics in pearl or mackerel patterns during daylight hours.

The intersection of bass and bait in the ripping currents has been explosive, especially when those fallback herring get flushed downstream.

Remember folks, treat those fish with care if you're practicing catch and release, especially the breeding females. Let's ensure we have great fishing for years to come!

This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines and see you on the water!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Martha's Vineyard fishing report for Friday, May 23rd, 2025.

The fishing around the island has really been heating up these past couple weeks! We've got a great mix of species in our waters right now. Striped bass numbers are solid, with schoolies all over and some keeper-sized fish mixed in. Those first bluefish I predicted would arrive earlier this month have definitely shown up, with some nice choppers in the 30-inch range being reported.

Black sea bass season opened on May 17th, and folks are already enjoying good success. Over on the Cape side, anglers have been hitting their limits in Buzzards Bay with a nice bycatch of fluke and blues. If you're targeting sea bass, consider heading to the rock piles off the western side of the island.

The weather's been a bit rough lately, with churned-up seas keeping most boats at dock these past couple days. But that hasn't stopped our more determined surf casters, who've been rewarded with some impressive linesiders for their efforts.

For those heading out today, look for calmer conditions as the wind starts to die down. The early morning bite has been productive, especially around Menemsha and Chappaquiddick. The south shore beaches are starting to produce consistent action as well.

As for tackle, topwater plugs have been working great in the early mornings and evenings for both stripers and blues. White or bone-colored Spook-style lures are getting smashed. For those targeting sea bass, jigs tipped with squid strips are your best bet. Don't forget to beef up your leaders if you're going after those toothy bluefish!

Hot spots right now include the rips off Wasque Point, especially on the falling tide, and the rocky structure around the north shore. The flats around Cape Poge have been giving up some nice fish during the flooding tide.

Flounder fishing is also good in the deeper holes, particularly if you're working the transition between Cape Cod Bay and Vineyard Sound.

The tides this weekend will feature a strong morning ebb, so plan your trips accordingly. The best fishing has been two hours before and after tide changes.

And for those waiting on scup, they're here too! Season opened a couple weeks ago, so grab your light tackle and have some fun with these tasty panfish.

That's it for today's report, folks. Get out there and wet a line – the fishing's only going to get better as we head deeper into spring. Tight lines until next time!

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Martha's Vineyard fishing report for Wednesday, May 21st, 2025. Sunrise came in at 5:18 AM and sunset will be at 8:03 PM, which gives us a full day of excellent fishing opportunities. The weather is classic May Vineyard, a little foggy at dawn giving way to partly cloudy skies and highs around 62 degrees, with a light southwest wind keeping things comfortable.

Tides are key today. We had a high tide around 6:15 AM and expect the low at about 12:30 PM, with the next high coming up early evening. Fish the moving water windows, especially the rising tide late this afternoon, which should fire things up along the beaches.

The striper bite has turned on as water temps have hit the low 60s. Reports from Menemsha and Lobsterville indicate good numbers of schoolies with the occasional keeper in the mix. Bigger fish are starting to show around Wasque Point and off Cape Poge, with a few 30-inch-plus bass weighed in over the weekend, mainly on live eels at night and soft-plastic paddle tails during the day. Bluefish are scattered but present, especially around Chappaquiddick and East Beach, with most in the 5 to 7-pound range – topwater poppers in bright colors have been the ticket.

Fluke action is picking up south of the Vineyard, especially just outside Edgartown and down toward Squibnocket, where anglers drifting squid strips on bucktails are picking up some solid keepers. Scup and black sea bass are also active near rock piles and deeper holes, with squid and clams pulling them out.

For lures, soft plastics like the Albie Snax in bone or olive, and paddle tails in bunker patterns are producing well for stripers and blues. Nothing beats a fresh chunk of menhaden or a live eel for targeting larger linesiders after dark. When fishing for fluke and sea bass, bucktail jigs tipped with squid are your best bet.

For hot spots today, check out Dogfish Bar at high tide for cruising stripers, and Wasque for your shot at bigger fish. For fluke try the deep drop-offs between Squibnocket and Gay Head. If all else fails, cast the jetties at Menemsha at dusk with a popper or a swimmer – someone will be catching.

That’s it for today’s Vineyard report. Tight lines, good luck, and I’ll see you out there. This is Artificial Lure, signing off.

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Martha's Vineyard fishing report for Monday, May 19th, 2025.

What a beautiful morning we've got! Sunrise hit at 5:23 AM and we're looking at sunset around 8:03 PM, giving us plenty of daylight hours on the water. Water temps have climbed nicely into the low-50s across most of the island, which means our fishing season is in full swing now.

The striper situation has really picked up since early May. We're seeing good numbers of schoolies all around the island, but the big news is those slot and over-slot bass that pushed into our backwaters about two weeks ago. They've been hitting hard on the outgoing tides, especially in the early mornings and late evenings. The main migration is definitely here, folks! South Shore beaches have been consistent producers, and the action around Chappaquiddick has been nothing short of spectacular.

Bluefish showed up right on schedule mid-month. Those first choppers I warned about are providing some serious drag-screaming action, especially along the south-facing beaches. If you're targeting blues, remember to beef up those leaders – these early arrivals have been in the 8-12 pound range and they're hungry!

Tautog fishing remains excellent in Vineyard Sound. The rock piles outside river mouths are still holding keeper-sized fish, with the best action during falling tides when that warmer water pushes out carrying all those tasty crabs with it.

For stripers, soft plastics in white or pearl have been deadly, especially paddletails on 3/4 oz jig heads. The squid imitations are also working great as we've got plenty of squid in our waters now. For hardcores using bait, fresh mackerel chunks or seaworms have been producing consistently.

Hot spots this week: Wasque Point has been fire during the last two hours of the incoming tide. The north shore between Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven has been producing consistently during early mornings. And don't overlook Menemsha – the channel has been holding some quality fish, especially on that last hour of the outgoing.

Tide-wise, we've got a high at 9:12 AM and again at 9:38 PM, with lows at 3:05 AM and 3:27 PM. Those incoming tides have been the sweet spot lately.

Weather looks stable for the next few days – light southwest winds around 10-12 knots, perfect for getting out there.

So grab your gear and hit the water! This is what we've been waiting for all winter, and it's only going to get better as we head toward Memorial Day weekend. Until next time, tight lines everyone!

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Martha’s Vineyard fishing report for Sunday, May 18, 2025.

First light hit the island at 5:17 AM this morning, with sunset coming up around 8:00 PM. Today’s weather is serving up classic spring conditions across the Vineyard: temperatures topping out in the low 60s, mostly sunny skies, and a breeze out of the southwest around 10 to 15 knots.

We’re working a new moon tide today, so you can expect increased current, especially around the points and rips. That means the bite should be lively during the moving water, especially at sunrise and sunset.

The fishing action around the Vineyard has really turned on in the last week. Striped bass are pushing into Vineyard Sound and all around the island in bigger numbers. Schoolies are mixed with some nicer slots, and a few fish over 30 inches have been caught from both beach and boat. Bluefish are here too, with some pushing 30 inches, so don’t skimp on leader material.

There’s a nice early run of black sea bass and the first fluke have started to show, especially off the southern side and in the deeper channels. Tautog are still around if you want to soak crabs near the rocks.

As for bait, the herring and squid are thick right now, and the stripers are feeding heavy on both. Top baits this week are live or fresh chunked herring if you can get it, plus fresh squid fished at night or during moving water. For lures, white and natural colored soft plastics in the 4-6 inch range have been hot, particularly Z-Man Jerk Shads and locally tied bucktail jigs. Out in the rips, try a topwater plug like a spook or pencil for an early morning bluefish blitz.

Hot spots right now include Wasque Point for the stripers and blues, especially on a dropping tide. Lobsterville Beach and Menemsha have also been steady producers, with anglers pulling both bass and blues out at dawn and dusk. The rips off Edgartown are heating up for those with a boat, and the deeper ledges off the south side are holding sea bass and fluke.

All in all, it’s shaping up to be a fantastic May day on the water. The fish are here and they’re feeding, so get out early, bring a mix of lures and bait, and be ready for a strong bite as we ride this new moon tide.

Tight lines from Artificial Lure—see you out there!

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].

Good morning from Martha’s Vineyard, this is Artificial Lure with your Friday, May 16th fishing report.

The Vineyard is buzzing as striper season kicks into high gear. Fresh waves of migratory striped bass have moved into local waters since the new moon, with schoolies and the occasional 40-inch plus cow mixing in. The squid run’s fading quick, but scup and black sea bass are picking up in numbers, making for solid mixed-bag opportunities.

Today’s weather looks fishy—mild spring temps and a light south breeze should hold steady, with sunrise at 5:21 am and sunset at 8:01 pm. The tides are favorable, with the outgoing lining up around dusk, and that’s been the ticket for early-season stripers. Plenty of herring schools are pushing up into the salt ponds and estuaries, drawing hungry bass behind them. Water temps are inching up, putting more fish on the move.

Reports from the past few days around the Vineyard and the Cape have anglers connecting with good numbers of schoolie bass, most in the 18 to 28 inch range, but some larger ones up to and breaking 40 inches have been landed. Black sea bass action is heating up, especially off the Middleground and around Menemsha, with some decent scup mixed in[1]. A few tautog and even some holdover trout are coming from the freshwater ponds for those looking to mix things up[3][5].

Best action for stripers has been on the outgoing tide, especially near the herring runs and shallow flats. Metal-lip swimmers, small soft plastics, bucktail jigs, and swimming plugs in natural colors are producing. If you can get your hands on some squid, it’s still prime bait for bass and sea bass, but as the squid run fades, herring-pattern lures and live eels after dark are both solid choices.

Hot spots to try today include Lobsterville Beach and Menemsha Bight for stripers at first and last light, and the waters off East Chop if you’re after sea bass or looking to drift for scup. In the ponds, trout and even some trophy largemouths are around—try Upper Lagoon or Seth’s Pond for a freshwater fix.

Overall, the season is upon us and the Vineyard is alive with options. Tight lines, and I’ll see you on the water.