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Tuesday 31 december 2019

December fishing report: Calmer winds and clearer skies

ORANJESTAD — Winter may
be coming, but Aruba’s
fishing scene has never
been hotter. With hurricane
season officially over, De-
cember brings calmer
winds and clearer skies to
the island. The temperature
is as pleasant as ever, hov-
ering around the 87-de-
gree mark. The best part is On a recent outing, the
that December transforms captain and his guests
Aruba into one of the best caught a huge Wahoo just
fisheries in the entire Carib- ten minutes from the dock.
bean. On the way back, the par-
ty snatched a nice Blackfin
In terms of sheer variety, Tuna, which they brought
the December fishing in to a local restaurant for
Aruba is nearly impossible dinner to round the day off.
to match. Inshore, offshore,
on the reefs and flats, the Captain of the Month – Mil-
plentiful Aruban waters ton Pichardo
have something for every
angler. Coming from a long line
of fishermen, Captain Mil-
If you’re into flats fishing, ton has been fishing the
you’ll be in for a treat. Aruban waters ever since
December is traditionally he was a kid. He earned
great for Permit fishing, his stripes helping his older
not just because the fish brother as a first mate, and
come close to shore, but started his own charter
because the weather is business at the age of 20.
amazing for it. December is
one of the driest months in Today, Captain Milton is a
Aruba, meaning that you’ll big game fishing expert,
have no trouble spotting and a record-setting tour-
those feisty flats monsters. nament winner.

The Aruban signature spe- You’ll spend your out-
cies, the Wahoo, is as ing with Captain Milton
abundant as you’ll ever aboard the beautiful Teas-
see it. Other reef fish like er, a 35’ Bertram sportfisher.
Barracuda and King Mack- Powered by two 315 HP
erel are also on the bite. Cummins engines, this ves-
sel can carry 6 passengers
Offshore, Sailfish and White and has all the amenities
Marlin continue their feed- you’ll need for a comfort-
ing frenzies. If you’re lucky, able outing on the water.
you can snag a Blue Mar- Among other things, the
lin while you’re at it, and Teaser boasts an enclosed
complete a Billfish Grand toilet, a fighting chair, life
Slam! If Billfish aren’t your jackets, and air-condition-
thing, how about some ing.
tasty Mahi, Blackfin Tuna
or even Red Snapper? The The Captain enjoys show-
Aruban coast is dotted with ing beginners how to fish,
seafood restaurants that so feel free to bring your
will turn your catch into a kids along. At the end of
memorable gourmet expe- your outing, you’ll split your
rience. catch 50-50 with the crew.
To make your experience
Captain Milton aboard complete, the crew cleans
Teaser Charters has been and fillet your fish, so you
reeling fish in left and right can enjoy it over a beauti-
these last couple of weeks. ful Aruban sunset.q