October is the month we look forward to all year.
The mornings are cooler, the beaches are quieter, and there’s a little more room to move around the Island. But for those of us still carrying rods in the truck and checking the water on the way to work, the season is far from over.
There’s something special about this stretch of fall on Martha’s Vineyard. A quick look at the beach can turn into an entire morning of fishing. Birds working just down the shoreline can change your plans for the day. And even after months on the water, a pod of albies tearing through bait still makes it hard to think about anything else.
At Kismet, we’re looking forward to making the most of it
Follow the Bait
One of the most exciting things about fall fishing is how quickly a quiet stretch of water can come alive. A beach that looked empty a few minutes ago can suddenly have bait spraying out of the water and albies tearing through it.
Silversides, sand eels, and peanut bunker give fish plenty to chase, and finding that bait is often the first step toward finding the action. Watch for birds, nervous water, and bait gathering along beaches, jetties, and harbor mouths. Sometimes you’ll see a full-blown blitz. Other times, a few dipping birds or a flash in the wash are enough to make you stop and watch.
Albies get plenty of attention this time of year, and for good reason. Their speed, screaming runs, and ability to ignore a seemingly perfect presentation keep us coming back. But don’t overlook the rest of the fall fishery. Striped bass and bluefish are worth targeting in their own right, and finding them feeding along the shoreline can make your morning.
Keep a few different patterns ready. Small baitfish flies like Albie Whores and Surf Candies are a good starting point, but matching the size and profile of the bait matters more than sticking with whatever worked last week. Early in the morning and on overcast days, I like chartreuse over white. On bright, clear days, I tend to reach for tan over white or an all-white fly. If fish are following but refusing, changing the size, color, or retrieve can help turn that interest into an eat.
World-Class Fishing, Right from Shore
You don’t need a boat to experience some of the most exciting saltwater fly fishing Martha’s Vineyard has to offer. In the fall, our beaches, jetties, and inlets can put you within casting range of the kind of fishing anglers travel a long way to find.
When bait gets pushed against the shoreline and albies come tearing through it, everything can happen right at your feet. Watching a fish turn on your fly, feeling the line come tight, and hearing your reel take off—all while standing on the beach—is an experience that’s hard to beat.
It’s those moments that make fall shore fishing here so special. You’re casting to fast, powerful fish with a fly rod, on foot, in a beautiful place. Add striped bass and bluefish to the mix, and there’s plenty of reason to spend October exploring the shoreline.
That doesn’t mean every outing comes easily. Some mornings take miles of walking, patient watching, and a few changes of location. But when you find bait pinned along the beach or jetty and fish feeding within reach, you understand just how world-class this fishery can be.
The temptation is to chase every splash. Often, you’re better off watching how the fish are moving and positioning yourself where they’re likely to come through again. Keep your line ready, pay attention to the bait, and make the most of the shot when it comes.
With quieter beaches and more room to explore, October gives you a chance to experience this side of the Vineyard at its best. Whether you’re an experienced saltwater angler or hoping to catch your first fish on the fly from shore, this is fishing worth making time—and planning a trip—for.
We don’t pull our boats when the Derby ends on October 17—we keep guiding every day. Boat traffic and crowds along the shore thin out almost overnight, leaving a solid two weeks to chase hardtails and sight-fish for striped bass in the colder, cleaner water they love. It’s one of our favorite stretches of the season, with plenty of fishing left and a lot more room to enjoy it.
Be Ready When It Happens
Fall fishing has a way of exposing whatever you meant to fix.
The frayed leader you forgot to replace. The fly box that’s running low on your favorite pattern. The jacket that doesn’t quite keep the wind and rain out when you’re standing on an exposed beach.
A little preparation makes it easier to enjoy the opportunities when they come. Check your leaders, hooks, and connections. Don't lose an albie due to rotted backing! Restock the flies you’ve been fishing most. Have layers and weather protection ready so you can stay comfortable when the morning is colder or windier than expected. Nobody wants to be in leaky waders in late-October!
If you’re unsure about your setup, stop by Kismet. We can help you choose flies, lines, and leaders for the fishing you want to do, whether that’s chasing albies from shore, looking for bass, or heading out on the boat.
Let’s Make the Most of October
There’s still plenty we want to do before the season winds down: beaches to walk, fish to find, and days on the water to share.
If you’d like to join us, we offer guided boat and shore trips, with instruction for anglers who are getting started and local insight for those looking to make the most of their time on the Vineyard.
Come by the shop, tell us what you’ve been seeing, and get ready for your next outing. Whether you have a full day or just enough time for a few casts, we hope you’ll make some room for October fishing.
We certainly will.
If you are looking to get out on the water please email abbie@kismetoutfitters.com and stephen@kismetoutfitters.com
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