As of November 2nd, the fishing scene on Martha's Vineyard is still vibrant, despite the late fall season setting in. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

### Tidal and Weather Conditions
Today, the sunrise is at 6:23 AM, and the sunset will be at 4:33 PM. The tidal cycle is influenced by the new moon, which could bring strong tides and significant fish movement. Expect high tide around 9:30 AM and low tide around 3:30 PM. The weather is mild, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to low 60s, making it ideal for both freshwater and saltwater fishing.

### Fish Activity
Striped bass are still active in the area, particularly around the outer beaches and in the salt ponds. Yesterday, anglers reported catching schoolies up to 26 inches, along with some larger bass in the 30- to 40-inch range. Bluefish are also plentiful, feeding on peanut bunker and silversides in the back bays. Bonito, although less common, were spotted in the Cape Cod Canal area, and some hardy anglers managed to catch a few.

### Best Lures and Bait
For striped bass, small minnow plugs, 3- to 5-inch topwaters, and 4-inch paddletails are highly effective. Lures like Krocodile spoons, diamond jigs, and epoxy jigs are also recommended. If you're targeting bass in the salt ponds or estuaries, consider using eels or large wakebaits and swimbaits, especially at night. For bluefish, small metals and soft plastics work well.

### Hot Spots
One of the hot spots right now is the area around Monomoy, where the strong tides could bring a wave of bass through. The Sound side beaches are also worth a visit, as fish tend to round Monomoy and move into these areas. Additionally, the mouths of rivers and inlets where the bays and salt ponds empty into the sound are prime locations for catching stripers and bluefish.

### Freshwater Fishing
For those interested in freshwater fishing, the ponds on Martha's Vineyard are stocked with trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and chain pickerel. These fish are actively feeding on the abundant herring in the ponds, making it an excellent time to cast large lures or use smaller soft plastics and metals.

Overall, it's a great time to be on the water around Martha's Vineyard, with plenty of fish activity and favorable conditions. Enjoy your day fishing