72nd Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby Comes to a Close
With about 10 minutes left in the derby, Logan R. Schaefer weighs in 18.17-pound shore bass to take mini junior lead.
With about 10 minutes left in the derby, Logan R. Schaefer weighs in 18.17-pound shore bass to take mini junior lead.
Lots of spectators on hand at derby headquarters during final weigh-in.
Lots of spectators on hand at derby headquarters during final weigh-in.
Volkert Kleeman keeps his eyes on the scale during last weigh-in.
Volkert Kleeman keeps his eyes on the scale during last weigh-in.
Celebrating longtime fillet station master Eli Bonnell.
Celebrating longtime fillet station master Eli Bonnell.
Derby committee salutes longtime filet station master Eli Bonnell, who is leaving his post after this year.
Derby committee salutes longtime filet station master Eli Bonnell, who is leaving his post after this year.
Mini junior Aubrey Warburton took home lots of awards, including first place for boat bass.
Mini junior Aubrey Warburton took home lots of awards, including first place for boat bass.
First place mini juniors: Aubrey Warburton, Logan Schaefer, Elizabeth Thompson, Jocie Smith, and Beckett Sheran.
First place mini juniors: Aubrey Warburton, Logan Schaefer, Elizabeth Thompson, Jocie Smith, and Beckett Sheran.
Mini junior Dylan Cafferty, second place for boat bluefish and boat albacore.
Mini junior Dylan Cafferty, second place for boat bluefish and boat albacore.
Wilson Kerr played auctioneer for live auction to raise money for scholarship funds.
Wilson Kerr played auctioneer for live auction to raise money for scholarship funds.
Elizabeth Thompson and Aubrey Warburton, first and second place for mini junior boat bonito.
Elizabeth Thompson and Aubrey Warburton, first and second place for mini junior boat bonito.
First place juniors: Volkert Kleeman, Brooks Carroll, Jake Scott, Mason Warburton, Jack O'Connell, and Tegan Fenner. (Not pictured: Ty Nolan.)
First place juniors: Volkert Kleeman, Brooks Carroll, Jake Scott, Mason Warburton, Jack O'Connell, and Tegan Fenner. (Not pictured: Ty Nolan.)
Shore team winners: Reel Reel Gone, A Buoy and a Gull, and Fat Albert's.
Shore team winners: Reel Reel Gone, A Buoy and a Gull, and Fat Albert's.
Grand leaders take the stage: Stephen Hansel, John Stasiuk, Steve Baccelli, Marc Campos, William Kadison, Robert Bottari, Casey Elliston, and Trish Lyman.
Grand leaders take the stage: Stephen Hansel, John Stasiuk, Steve Baccelli, Marc Campos, William Kadison, Robert Bottari, Casey Elliston, and Trish Lyman.
Longtime derby volunteer Trish Lyman waits to find out if her 12.23-pound boat albacore will win her a new Subaru.
Longtime derby volunteer Trish Lyman waits to find out if her 12.23-pound boat albacore will win her a new Subaru.
And the key fits! Ms. Lyman is the winner of a 2017 Subaru Crosstek, compliments of Clay Subaru.
And the key fits! Ms. Lyman is the winner of a 2017 Subaru Crosstek, compliments of Clay Subaru.
And the winner of a new Cape Codder boat is.....
And the winner of a new Cape Codder boat is.....
...John C. Stasiuk, for his 29.61-pound shore bass.
...John C. Stasiuk, for his 29.61-pound shore bass.
Mr. Jerome, Ms. Lyman, and Bob and Fran Clay of Clay Subaru.
Mr. Jerome, Ms. Lyman, and Bob and Fran Clay of Clay Subaru.
Ms. Lyman tries out her new ride while Fran Clay looks on.
Ms. Lyman tries out her new ride while Fran Clay looks on.
Posing with the Cape Codder team: derby president Ed Jerome, Bob Dobias Sr. Bob Dobias Jr., Mr. Stasiuk, and Dorsey Dobias.
Posing with the Cape Codder team: derby president Ed Jerome, Bob Dobias Sr. Bob Dobias Jr., Mr. Stasiuk, and Dorsey Dobias.
The mood was celebratory Saturday night at derby headquarters in Edgartown, mixed with some anticipation. The 72nd annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby was drawing to an end, but anything could happen until the final bell, and the small building was packed to the gills as the minutes ticked away until 10 p.m.
Volkert Kleeman had held on to first place in one of the junior categories since the first week of the derby, when he weighed in a 8.93-pound boat bonito. One of his best friends, Zak Potter, had weighed in the second place bonito at 8:21 p.m. on the last day of the derby: Zak's fish was just .7 pounds behind Volkert's winner. His derby hat covered in pins, Volkert kept his eye on the weigh station until the last minute.
With less than 15 minutes left of the derby, Logan Schaefer walked in with a large bass slung over his shoulder. He made his way to the station and, after a few tries, slung the fish up on the counter. Mike Cassidy weighed it in: 18.17 pounds, the new mini junior winner for the shore striped bass. Logan got a round of applause from the crowd gathered at headquarters.
Saturday was also National Hug Capt. Eli Day at the derby headquarters, at least according to the signs affixed to pilings outside headquarters. The fillet station behind the sign was quiet Saturday — no fillets on the last day — but most other nights of the derby, this year and for several before, Eli Bonnell manned the station. This winter he will move to the west coast with his fiancee, and on Saturday well-wishers dropped by to say goodbye and good luck.
The clock ticked down and at 10 p.m. Victoria Scott rang the bell to cheers in the derby headquarters. Volkert's lead was safe. Derby volunteers had extra cause for celebration. Volunteer Trish Lyman, behind the merchandise table, was on the grand leaderboard with her winning boat albacore. Volunteer Kristy Rose was the weekly leader for her 13.25-pound shore bluefish.
The next day excitement continued at the awards ceremony at Farm Neck. Captain Eli Day continued as he was honored by the derby committee. Ms. Lyman was the winner of a new car. John Stasiuk won a new boat for his 29.61-pound shore bass. And dreams of the next derby began.