Janet Messineo has lived on Martha’s Vineyard since 1966, and has been fishing the shoreline of the island for almost 40 years. She has written for, and been featured in, books and magazines. They include, Reading the Water by Robert Post, An Amazing Story of the Vineyard’s Derby, by Ed Jerome and Ray Ellis, The Big One, by David Kinney, On the Run by David DiBenedetto, New England Stripers, a Fishing Anthology, by On the Water. Magazines include Offshore, On the Water, Vineyard Style and Martha’s Vineyard Magazine. She was also featured in articles in The New York Times and The Boston Globe. Janet has been a professional taxidermist since graduating from the Pennsylvania Institute of Taxidermy in 1987. She is the owner of Island Taxidermy and Wildlife Art Studio. She specializes in saltwater skin mounts. Janet is one of the few shore surf fishing guides on Martha’s Vineyard. She is a charter member and served as president for six years of the Martha’s Vineyard Surfcasters, Assoc. a member of Mass Striped Bass Assoc. and has been on the board of the Derby Committee for 26 years. This year will be her 40th year participating in the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby.

Captain Jeffrey P. Canha is a 4th generation Martha's Vineyard fisherman. With over 35 years of fishing experience, Captain Canha prides himself on turning beginners into pros. Canha knows the waters of Martha's Vineyard, knows the grazing and feeding habits of our Atlantic game fish. His local knowledge of specific times and places for catching fish is excellent. Captain Canha will show you how to catch the fish with fun and safety.

Peter Cox was a sword fishermen from 1976-1981, fishing around Florida and up inside the Gulf. He swordfished from the Gulf of Mexico to the Grand Bank. He has enjoyed fishing around and on the island for his entire life. At present he is retired and enjoys bay scalloping and local fishing. In the photo, Peter is holding a state record fluke from 2010.