As of October 17, 2024, the fishing scene around Martha's Vineyard is quite vibrant, despite the onset of cooler weather.

### Weather and Tidal Conditions
Expect a moderate day with partly sunny skies and a gentle breeze, transitioning from northwest to northeast winds by the weekend. Water temperatures are cooling down, which is typical for this time of year. The tide times for today are: high tide at 8:47 AM and low tide at 2:53 PM.

### Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise is at 6:53 AM, and sunset will be at 5:47 PM, giving anglers a good window to get out on the water.

### Fish Activity
Striped bass fishing remains good, particularly in the backwaters and ponds. Anglers are reporting slot-size fish and some larger ones, especially during the morning hours. The west end of the island has been fishing well, with bass being quite picky but responsive to 3- to 4-ounce epoxy jigs and small pencil poppers. Baitfish such as squid, mackerel, peanut bunker, and silversides are abundant in the Canal, attracting these bass.

Bluefish are still present along the beaches of Vineyard Sound, though the bite has been spotty. Bonito fishing has slowed down significantly since the big storm a couple of weeks ago, but they can still be encountered while casting for bass or bluefish.

Tautog fishing is improving as water temperatures drop. Anglers are gearing up for tog fishing, with green crabs being a popular bait. The fishing for tautog is expected to get even better, especially after the Derby concludes on October 19.

### Best Lures and Bait
For striped bass, epoxy jigs and small pencil poppers are working well. Soft plastics like the 10-inch Hogy Original are also effective. For tautog, green crabs are the go-to bait. When targeting bluefish, drifting cut bait on an outgoing tide can be productive.

### Hot Spots
- The Canal is a hotspot for striped bass and bluefish, with squid, mackerel, and peanut bunker being key attractants.
- The west end of Martha's Vineyard is producing good morning fishing for bass.
- Areas around Collier Ledge and the Horse Shoe are good for false albacore, though they are becoming scarcer.
- Buzzards Bay is reported to have better fishing than Vineyard Sound, with some bigger fish in general.

Overall, it's a great time to be out on the water around Martha's Vineyard, with a variety of species active and responsive to the right lures and baits.