Derby Day Three: Over A Ton of Fish Already Weighed
Posted Under: Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby
They just don't make them like they used to.
A total of 2,305 pounds of fish have already been weighed as of the third day of this year’s derby. Most of the fish coming in at the Main street Edgartown weigh-in headquarters are bluefish, totalling 114; while at the time of posting, the striper and albie counts are both at 41.
Clear blue skies and a light, dry northwest breeze greeted eager anglers were at Memorial Wharf early this morning, following yesterday’s rumors that false albacore had made a run through the Edgartown ferry channel. Eric Brown of Edgartown was seated on a bench nearby, watching the action. Mr. Brown was a grand leader in the 1995 derby for a 13.15 pound false albacore from the shore. So far, the largest shore-caught false albacore weighed in this year is a 8.23-pounder, caught by Victor Colantonio, while Rob Morrison of Edgartown hooked a 12.12 pound false albacore from a boat.
Bernie Arruda of Edgartown strolled into headquarters with a 4.98 pound bonito. “That is a rare fish,” remarked derby staffer Martha Smith, referring to the meager 28 bonito weighed in thus far.
A total of 1,350 fishermen are registered in the contest as of this morning, 1,167 of them men and 183 women. Stephen J. Pietruska currently leads the boat striped bass division with a 44.68 pounder. David A. Nash of Edgartown weighed in a 26.15 pound striper, caught from the shore on the opening morning, and it still leads. Joseph P. Canha leads with the largest boat bluefish, 13.27; Clinton A. Fisher, with the largest shore bluefish at 10.23 pounds. Mark W. Jones leads with the largest boat bonito, 6.51 pounds; John F. Schillinger with the largest shore bonito, 5.89 pounds. Stay tuned for more.