They may be fish out of water, but this year’s Bass in the Grass auction is helping to raise thousands of dollars for scholarships, artists and the Edgartown Board of Trade.

There is a particular type of cruelty the fishing gods dole out, especially during the derby.

On Sunday morning, the mood at the Steamship Wharf in Oak Bluffs was as bright as the December holiday season or a birthday eve.

Devon Metters could have weighed in one of the largest shore-caught false albacore of the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish derby’s second day Sunday. He caught a real tuna instead.

At first, they were catching more conversations and cavities than fish at the first weigh-in Sunday morning for the 76th Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby.

At 12:01 am. Sunday, the 76th annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby begins. First weigh opens at 8 a.m. Sunday.