This December the surfcasting community lost a fishing legend, Janet Messineo of Martha's Vineyard. Janet dedicated decades of her life to fishing the waters around Martha's Vineyard and inspiring countless anglers along the way.
She was a pioneering female angler in what has long been a male-dominated pursuit. Her passion for surfcasting has inspired countless others to follow in her footsteps. Her recent passing in December has left a void in our fishing community, but has also given us reason to reflect on her legacy and the wisdom she shared.
Pictured here is Janet Messineo at "The Moth" this past summer. This photo appeared here in the Vineyard Gazette and was taken by Arsalaan Ishaq.
In the summer of 2020, I had the privilege of listening to one of Janet Messineo's recorded fishing adventures - a three day surfcasting expedition to Cuttyhunk Island with a group of members from My Fishing Cape Cod. The trip, shared through a My Fishing Cape Cod podcast, perfectly encapsulated everything that made Janet such a beloved figure in our fishing community: her endless enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and generous spirit in sharing knowledge with others.
This podcast with Janet offers both practical insights for aspiring surfcasters and a glimpse into what made Janet such a special presence in our fishing community. You can listen to the podcast, which was recorded on 7/23/20, in its entirety by clicking play below.
Or for those who prefer to read, please scroll down for a written recap of all the content discussed and shared in this episode.
Podcast Guests
Janet Messineo
In this episode we chat with Janet Messineo. Janet is a die hard surfcaster from Martha's Vineyard, and author of her new book Casting Into The Light. This was Janet's second surfcasting trip to Cuttyhunk.
Ned Bean
We also catch up with My Fishing Cape Cod member Ned Bean, who is also a die hard surfcaster. Ned primarily fishes the shoreline of Martha's Vineyard, but he can also be found at Cuttyhunk and Block Island.
Kevin Collins
As usual our host for this podcast is my cousin, Kevin Collins. Looking ahead at 2025, Kevin will once again be our host for all of our weekly podcast interviews and reports.
Cuttyhunk: A Striped Bass Paradise
The waters between Cape Cod and the Islands have long been a legendary destination for striped bass fishing. Among these storied locations, Cuttyhunk Island stands apart - a rugged, boulder-strewn paradise that has challenged and rewarded generations of surfcasters.
While boat anglers often steal the spotlight in fishing magazines and social media posts, there's a special breed of angler who prefers to face these waters on foot, armed with nothing more than a surf rod, carefully chosen plugs, and an intimate knowledge of the tides.
In our interview with Janet, her description of the island reveals both its allure and challenges. The rocky shoreline, while treacherous, creates the perfect structure for large striped bass to ambush their prey.
Cuttyhunk is the westernmost of the Elizabeth Islands, and the cliffs of Aquinnah at Martha's Vineyard are visible from Cuttyhunk's southern shoreline. This small little island is full of character, peace and quiet, and fishing opportunities.
During the week of July 23rd 2020, Janet and a group of anglers from My Fishing Cape Cod surfcast the rocky coast of Cutty, and in the rest of this post we'll cover what they encountered and experienced.
The Most Productive Tide
During their July expedition, Janet and her fellow anglers found consistent action with stripers ranging from schoolies to specimens over 40 inches.
The fishing was particularly productive during a specific tide window - from one hour before high tide to three hours after - when the water column provided enough clearance above the boulder fields below.
Techniques and Tackle Tips for Cutty
The outflow from West End Pond is a consistently productive spot, but it's a long walk from most accommodations.
Even after 44 years of fishing experience, Janet approached Cuttyhunk with humility and excitement to learn. She shared several valuable insights for those looking to fish these waters:
- Clean water conditions allow for successful use of surface plugs and needlefish
- A wetsuit can provide both safety and confidence when dealing with unexpected wave surges
- Bring sturdy footwear (Janet learned this the hard way when her Korkers fell apart the first night)
- Consider using a walking stick for navigating the rocky terrain
- Don't be afraid to fish close to shore - you don't always need to venture out onto the exposed rocks
Practical Information for Visiting Anglers
My Fishing Cape Cod members Ned Bean and Dex Chadsey onboard the ferry to Cuttyhunk as they enter the harbor.
For those inspired to follow in Janet's footsteps, she and her fishing partner Ned shared some logistical tips:
- Golf cart rentals are available and highly recommended for getting around the island
- Access is available via the Cuttyhunk Ferry from New Bedford or various water taxi services
- The west end of the island near the oyster pond outflow is a reliable spot during outgoing tide
Janet's Legacy & Last Impact
Janet Messineo wasn't just a skilled angler - she was a storyteller, mentor, and pioneer. Her 2019 book "Casting into the Light: Tales of a Fishing Life" captured her decades of experience fishing Martha's Vineyard and broke down barriers in what was traditionally a male-dominated pursuit.
Her approach to fishing exemplified a perfect blend of passion and persistence, always eager to learn even after decades of experience.
Janet passed away in December 2024, but her influence on the Cape and Islands fishing community will endure. Through her book, her teachings, and the countless anglers she inspired, her legacy lives on in every cast. She showed us that fishing is about more than just catching fish - it's about building connections, embracing challenges, and never stopping learning.
For those looking to experience the magic of Cuttyhunk's striped bass fishing, remember Janet's words: "This island is striped bass heaven... It's challenging. I'm now a little up in my years and it's not easy, but I did find some fabulous water and fabulous places to fish and I did it. I took the challenge and I did it."
Rest in peace, Janet. May your lines always be tight and your stories continue to inspire future generations of anglers. 
Great podcast. Very informational. I have fished Cuttyhunk with my brother from his boat. Surfcasting Cuttyhunk sounds like it would be an incredible experience! I have read Janet’s book, loved it! Thanks!
Leslie – Thanks so much for the feedback! Ned and Janet were absolute professionals both fishing and podcasting. Thank you so much for listening and commenting!
Great pod cast! Keep up the good work!
I read Janet’s book last year when I was on the Cape and couldn’t put it down. Great story.
Nice intel on Cuttyhunk for future trip.
Thanks all and see you next month!
Brian – Thanks so much for the kind comments! It means a lot! We will do our best to keep the informational podcasts coming! Hope you can make it to Cutty soon! Thanks for your continued support of the podcasts!
Great report. Cuttyhunk is a great place to visit in the off season too.
Jake, my favorite of your Cuttyhunk photos is Katelyn crawling up the road to the top of the hill. Looks like she was about 2 years old. Probably chasing after big brother Ryan!
Those were some fun times! Lots of great memories at Cuttyhunk Island. I’m sure many people reading this can relate. ?
Here’s that photo you were alluding to Dex. lol
Here’s another of the Cuttyhunk one room school house. Most of these kids are from my dad’s middle school on a class trip (the Cuttyhunk school only had 1 or 2 students at the time).
Those were wonderful years.
Thanks for listening Uncle Jake!
Janet is a natural! Hearing her on the Podcast is just like listening to her in person! Such a delightful woman!
Now everyone can see why I am so blessed to have Ned as my friend and fishing partner. So knowledgeable and gifted in figuring out what we are seeing in front of us on the beach.
Great podcast!
Thanks all. I think Ned was my science teacher at The Peddie School in the nineties. Was that you Ned? Love to catch up and fish sometime. Thanks again for all the Cuttyhunk intel all!
-Tim Costello
Thanks for listening Tim! Ned is a man of many talents. Glad you enjoyed the Cutty experience via podcast!
Thanks again for all your help Dex. This awesome podcast would not have been possible without you! Thanks for helping us make it happen and more importantly thanks for listening 🙂