The annual Striped Bass Derby is a favorite event for residents of Martha's Vineyard. But to no one is it as important as to twelve-year-old Ben Daggett, son of the island's record holder. If anyone is going to beat his father's record, Ben wants it to be himself.

An honest catch superior to Jack Daggett's would be hard to make. Nevertheless, Ben is shocked to discover a local man conspiring to cheat with a stranger. Worse, he finds there's nothing he can do to stop them - and that by trying he's only endangering his life.