Found! A Laid-Back Spot For Stripers, Blues

Article Date: September 2004

The Elizabeth Islands in Vineyard Sound across from Martha's Vineyard (see map) are not only a beautiful and charming place to visit but they also offer good fishing for stripers and bluefish. I have fished Cuttyhunk, the southernmost of the Elizabeth Islands, four times now. My last trip was this past June/July, when my group got into abundant numbers of stripers and bluefish in Vineyard Sound.

Our largest catch was a 38-inch striper, but we caught plenty from 28 to 33 inches and even more schoolies. We also caught blues from six to nine pounds. All were caught on flies. In fact, I caught up to 40 fish on one white deceiver. We also used Seaducers, crease flies, Clousers and large backwings, all flies we tied ourselves. Teeny-type lines worked best on the rips and rocks, while intermediates were fine for the flats. Our rods were all 8 to 10 weights.

We fished on our own, with our own boat, consulting Pat Abate at Rivers End Tackle for advice on fishing spots. Abate knows this area very well and sent us to Quicks Hole, Sow & Pigs Reef and Gays Head, in addition to several other locations. Some of the fishing spots require more boating experience than others. Sow & Pigs Reef, for example, extends for miles towards Block Island and is a big-bass spot full of huge boulders just under the surface at all tides. If you are not experienced in boating around reef structure, you might want to follow an expert or go someplace else.

One guide to consider on Cuttyhunk is Bruce Borges. He specializes in light tackle and has a boat. He also has a very rustic rental apartment for his clients. Borges is a former lobsterman turned guide, so he knows every rock around the Elizabe........(continued)

CONTACT DETAILS FOR COMPANIES/INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN ARTICLE (if any)

Pat Abate, Rivers End Tackle. Tel. 860-388-2283

Bruce Borges. Tel. 508-999-1263

Cuttyhunk Boat Lines, Inc.. Tel. 508-992-1432, 508-992-1498. Web: www.cuttyhunk.com

John Paul Hunter. Tel. 508-789-3250

Pete's Place. Tel. 508-992-5131

Cuttyhunk Fishing Club Bed and Breakfast. Tel. 508-992-5585. Web: www.cuttyhunkfishingclub.com