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Martha's Vineyard Surfcasters
Martha's Vineyard
Surfcasters Association
P.O. Box 3053
Edgartown, MA 02539
Author: Created: 7/6/2011 8:01 PM RssIcon
all the blogs that belong on the home page too
By dbalon on 1/7/2019 9:05 AM

President Trump Signs The Modern Fish Act

Repost of the American Sportfishing Association Article (January 2, 2019) in the On The Water online magazine.

The recreational fishing and boating community is celebrating the enactment of the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2018 (Modern Fish Act), which was signed into law by President Trump December 31. The Modern Fish Act finally recognizes in federal law the differences between recreational and commercial fishing and adds more appropriate management tools for policymakers to use in managing federal recreational fisheries.

To read the entire article click on this link.

 

By dbalon on 10/24/2018 8:54 AM
The results from Maryland's 2018 Young of the Year survey indicated a YoY index of 14.8 which is higher than the 65 year average of 11.8.
This is the second year in a row with an above average spawn, and one of four above-average spawns in the past decade.



By dbalon on 2/25/2018 2:24 PM

MV Times, Barry Stringfellow, February 21, 2018

Martha’s Vineyard fishermen did the Island proud at the 2017 Massachusetts Saltwater Derby, capturing eight out of possible 31 winning trophies.

The awards for annual fishing contest, sponsored by the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), were presented Saturday, Feb 17, at the New England Boat Show, in Boston.

Islanders made a clean sweep of the False Albacore trophies. David Nash of Edgartown won the men’s division with a 11.3 pounder. Nash was the only Islander to land a state champ fish on a fly.

Click on this link to read the entire article.

By dbalon on 1/19/2018 4:04 PM
What: MVSA Annual Banquet and Awesome Raffle
When: Saturday, January 27th at 1:00p.m.
Where: Old Whaling Church, Edgartown

Don't miss this awesome event! The Annual Banquet and Awesome Raffle is one of the best MVSA events of the year. There is great food, great prizes and most of all...awesome people! This is one of the best attended events of the year.

If you are going to attend we would appreciate if you could also bring a side dish or dessert.

If you want to help set up, shuck oysters/clams or just give us a hand please show up around 10:00a.m.

Hope to see you all there!
By dbalon on 10/16/2017 12:55 PM

MVSA Angler of the Year Standings Thru October 16th

 

Cosmo Creanga        15 Points

 

Jason Patterson        12 Points

 

Ron Domurat            12 Points

 

John Piekos            10 Points

 

Dave Balon             6 Points

 

Ed Amaral, Ralph Peckham, Tony Rezendes, Jim Cornwell, Janet Messineo, Dave Nash, 5 Points

 

Jonathan Cornwell         4 Points

 

Don Scarpone, Kathi Pogoda     3 Points

 

Peter Johnson             1 Point

 

October Leaders as of 10/16/17 (not official until 11/7/17

 

Striped Bass    Ron Domurat, 24.79 lbs., Jim Wareing, 19.62 lbs., Cosmo Creanga, 17.77 lbs.

 

Bluefish    Ralph Peckham 14.26 lbs., Brenda Beal, 8.36 lbs, Ron Domurat, 6.30 lbs.

 

Bonito         Mary Ann Angelone, 5.97 lbs., Kathi Pogoda, 4.46 lbs.

 

False Albacore, Kathi Pogoda 11.31 lbs., Paula Sullivan 9.99 lbs. Janet Messineo, 9.55 lbs.   

By dbalon on 8/10/2017 7:49 PM

Check out the latest standings of the MVSA  for Angler of the Year. These are the standings as of the end of July 2017.

1. Cosmo Creanga                    (May-5, June-5, July-5)     Total- 15 

 

2. Jason Patterson                    (May-6, June-3)                 Total -  9

 

3. Ron Domurat                         (July-6)                              Total -  6

 

4. Ed Amaral                              (May- 5)                            Total - 5

 

5. Ralph Peckham                     (June-5)                            Total - 5

 

6. Jonathan Cornwell                (May- 1, June-3)               Total - 4

7. Don Scarpone                       (July- 3)                            Total - 3

 

8. Peter Johnson                       (June- 1)                           Total - 1

By dbalon on 5/11/2017 8:32 AM
Stripers Forever
May 10, 2017
Brad Burns, President


Yesterday the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission debated on whether or not an increase in striped bass harvest of about 10% should be allowed for next year. The motion to take the increase out to public hearings failed 10 votes to 5. Hooray! NJ, DE, MD, VA, and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission – a shill organization that simply provides the Chesapeake Bay states an extra vote – all voted in favor, and all other states voted against. What changed from the first vote was that CT, NY, NC all changed their votes from yes to no, and that did it for us.
 
Why the change of heart from last winter when this idea was dreamed up? I think in the final analysis there were three reasons. The first was that the actual catch is hard to predict. The catch was thought to have decreased considerably on the coast but had actually increased in the Chesapeake Bay area, and these were the same people who wanted still more. It didn’t sell well. The scientists predicted that there was a very good chance that the catch in 2018 would actually increase by more than 10% even with no change in regulations. This was because of an increased number of fish in certain year classes that both the Bay and the coast are expected to fish on, and lastly because a stock assessment with a lot of new science is being proposed for 2018. Many thought it was likely that even if a change was made this year it would probably be changed again – perhaps reversed – next year.
 
In any case we dodged a bullet, and I hope our advocacy was helpful. This reprieve will give us a chance to see another year class born in the Chesapeake Bay before the issue is tackled again. Some of the recent YOY have been poor, but the trend isn’t really conclusive because there are also occasionally really good ones. The science is also evolving. During yesterday's meeting there was a discussion about the new science methods, and they are talking about some of the complicated aspects of the old models that we have long had issues with. I’m sure that all of the problems won’t be fixed, but perhaps the population estimates will get better and more reflective of what we actually see on the water. Along with the new science was a discussion about perhaps designing various stock reference points and management triggers to reflect a different set of values for the fishery, and how this will be an opportunity to take a new look at just how and for what values the striped bass fishery should be managed. Hopefully we will be able to influence this process to achieve more recognition of the socio-economic value of high quality angling.

Science and advocacy matters. Thanks to everyone who wrote and lobbied for no increase in the regulated harvest. Alone a single voice is nearly silent but together we have raised an awareness of the need to protect and conserve. I believe we have pricked and awakened the latent conscience of many regulators that are beginning to realize that no longer will the recreational fishermen and women silently allow commercially vested interests to destroy what is our fishery too.

Brad Burns, President
Stripers Forever​​​​​​​

By dbalon on 3/14/2017 9:49 AM

Fly Rod Striped Bass Catch & Release Tournament set for June 3

Despite recent snow Cooper “Coop” Gilkes of Edgartown said fly fishermen are already looking forward to the 26th annual Martha’s Vineyard Rod& Gun Club Fly Rod Catch & Release Tournament. “I started getting calls in December from guys who wanted to know the date of the tournament so they could make ferry reservations,” Coop, longtime tournament chairman, said.“We’ve got fishermen who wouldn’t miss it. It’s a great time.”

Fishermen who participate year after year agree that the one-night Island team fly fishing contest fosters the best qualities of the sport of fly-fishing. One unique aspect is that irrespective of fishing success tournament registrants present at the fun-filled Sunday morning awards ceremony have a chance to win one of many great prizes awarded based on a random drawing of entry blanks. Winning fishermen receive plaques in one of three categories:The total number of fish of any size length caught and released by a team(Roberto Germani Trophy); the largest fish (length and girth) released by a fisherman (Sonny and Joey Beaulieu Trophy); and the most fish caught and released by a team in which members are not allowed to change flies (Arnold Spofford Trophy).

Fishing begins at 7 pm, Saturday, June 3 and ends at 2 am, Sunday.The awards ceremony begins at 9:30 am, Sunday, June 4. This year, in a change of venue the tournament headquarters and breakfast will be located at the Edgartown School off Edgartown-West Tisbury Road.

The entry fee is $35. The money the tournament raises helps to provide trout for the club’s spring Kid's Trout Derby, send two youngsters to Conservation Camp and supports a day of fishing for Camp Jabberwocky campers.

For more information call Cooper Gilkes at 508-627-3909 or go to www.mvrodandgunclub.com.

For more background read: "Catch and Release  tournament was humbling all the way around”"Catch and Release  Tournament celebrates 20 years”).

By dbalon on 1/16/2017 10:04 AM

The annual MVSA banquet and awards ceremony will be held on Saturday Jan 28th, 2017 at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown.  Doors open at noon.  Food will be served at 1:00 PM, to be followed by a brief annual meeting, awards presentations, and of course the annual awesome raffle and silent auction. Kathi Pagoda and a team of volunteers have been working hard to put together a great selection of raffle and silent auction items.  If you have something you would like to donate please contact her before the event.  As in past years Paula Sullivan is planning an outstanding raw bar and buffet.  Feel free to bring along a dessert or side dish to share with your fellow club members.  Set-up and shucking help is always appreciated so come early to lend a hand.

2017club dues ($30/household) will be collected.  As part of the meeting we’ll be voting on the slate of club officers.  Nominations for club officers are welcome.  Please reach out to President Don Scarpone before the event if you’d like to place your name in nomination.  The current proposed list of officers follows:

President:              Don Scarpone

Vice President:       Jason Patterson

Secretary:              Dave Kolb

Treasurer:              Phil Horton

Hope to see you all there.

By dbalon on 8/9/2016 8:42 AM
Trustees of Reservations
August 8, 2016

There is a newly installed set of stairs at Wasque Point! The Trustees had a new staircase installed to replace the previous wooden staircase that had been damaged and destroyed by storms and erosion years back. You can now park at the Wasque Fisherman lot, follow the trail for 50 yards and then go down the staircase right to Wasque Point/beach!

Click here for full details from the Trustees at the following link: