Recreational Caribbean Bill-fishing in ARUBA started in the early1950´s. Before then, only local fishermen, owners of beach side property and boats and their lucky angler friends knew that bill-fishing was superb. Tourism was a new industry and the country had other things to worry about than promoting Deep Sea Sport-fishing.
In those days there was almost no infrastructure such as High-Rise Hotels and getting boats into the water was difficult (getting these into/from “docks” was an adventure) and most fishermen had to bring their own equipment plus food, beverages, etc., and fish in small 18 to 25 ft. sail or outboard motor boats used by locals to fish for shark, (shark in Papiamento is Tribon).
Furthermore, the Book/Movie “The Old Man and the Sea” saw many old timers repeating this Adventure in Waters of Aruba in their small fishing boots having much the same characteristics as the one used in the Film.
Anglers put up with the difficulties and caught and kept as many fish (billfish, Dorado (dolphin), tuna, etc.) as stamina and cramped hands from reeling and line-fishing, as this allowed them. Many anglers returned, season after season, bringing friends to try their hands at fishing for sailfish and marlin. Little by little adventurous anglers started showing up after hearing the tales of the incredible Bill-fishing found here. They were not disappointed and by word of mouth ARUBA’s reputation as a destination for bill- fishing started to spread.
Nowadays a drive from Aruba’s Princess Beatrix Airport to a first class resort with air conditioned rooms, pools, restaurant, etc., takes about 15 minutes in an air-conditioned Taxi, Van, Bus and to the marina where the sport-fishing boats are docked there are many a restaurant plus a formal dock with a selection of fully equipped boats to choose from: sport fishing yachts of all makes. The hardship of getting cramped fingers from reeling in so many fish has yet to be overcome and ARUBA has adopted the use of circle hooks and catch and release for all billfish. More and more anglers arrive every season and keep spreading the word.
The day before a group goes Bill fishing the sport fishing boat is fueled and stocked. The rods are taken out of storage for cleaning and the drag tension checked. Several dozen frozen Ballyhoo are prepared with hooks, tied to shock tippets and put into coolers to thaw out.
The next day, on the way to the fishing area, Ballyhoo is attached to rod leaders. When the fishing area is reached the sport fishing boat slows down and gets ready to troll. Both outriggers are extended and drag hook less lures, usually plastic shapes resembling squids. Four rods are deployed, two with their lines attached to the outriggers and two placed in their holders at the back of the boat one at each corner of which one of this is secured to the down-rigger, all dragging Ballyhoo. Additional rod is used on the center rigger only in flat out sea conditions. Through trial and error this has been found to be the most effective way of trolling for billfish off the coast of ARUBA. More rods with lines in the water have been found to obstruct rather than help catching fish. The sports-fishing boat moves slowly through the water, trolling, waiting for any pelagic fish to strike.
In front of the coast of ARUBA it usually doesn’t take long to get a fish to rise and during the peak fishing season an angler or group of anglers might have several pelagic fish interested in the teasers and lures at the same time. It is not uncommon to have two (a double) or even three (a triple) sailfish hooked at the same time during the November season which then starts. Even Grand Slams were in the order of the day. Alert mates and anxious anglers keep a close watch on the lines.
Once a sailfish has been raised and taken the bait, the captain slows down the boat and reels in the squid shapes on the outriggers always keeping an eye on the fish, one mate reels in the other lines as quickly as possible so they don’t snag and the mate in charge of the rod with the fish runs to it and gets ready to “set the hook”. Depending on the anglers’ preference, he or the mate can set the hook, though it’s recommended to let the mate set the hook. If a double or triple hookup should happen, then it gets really exciting with anglers, mate and captain shouting and running all over the boat trying not to bump into each other and entangle the lines. If the angler asks, the boat will back up closing in on the area where the billfish is swimming to shorten the time the billfish is fought.
When a sailfish or any type of fish takes the bait the angler will be treated to quite a spectacle and better be prepared for a protracted fight. All right, you say you like to catch big fish? Local Pelagic Fish usually weight between 20 to 120 pounds and sometimes Sailfish, Wahoo or Mahi Mahi go absolutely berserk when they are hooked, they jump, dive, swim (side-to-side, towards the boat, away from the boat), skip on the surface, try to jump into the boat and then do it all over again…you imagine a maneuver and some Billfish are bound to attempt it. Now if a marlin appears, the mate starts teasing until the Billfish takes the bait, while the captain maneuvers the boat closer to the fish and the angler accommodates into the fighting chair. Local marlins weight around 350 to 600 and have gone as high as 1.086 lbs pounds and can take off like a rocket, jump, dive and while the angler is reeling in line, figuring out where the fish went (sometimes just resting out at the bottom), what looks like another marlin jumping off in the distance is actually your fish!
Unlike sailfish, marlins often get so drilled up during the fight that they change colors along their flanks, “lighting up” as the crews call it. It’s a sight many an angler will treasure forever. While all this is going on, if you bring a camera, the mate or the captain is will take pictures for you. ARUBA is “catch and release for billfish” so any sailfish, spearfish, white or blue marlin you catch will be returned to the sea, photographs will assure anyone the billfish was “THIS BIG!”, and that you actually got one, a couple, a dozen or more…. per day! We never recommend boats who kill “Baby Marlins” just to say that they caught a Marlin. There are also some of these around.
Throughout the fishing day the mate offers soft-drinks and/or you can bring along beer etc., It’s recommended that lunch-boxes always be requested at your hotel to carry along. If a Dorado (dolphin) or Wahoo is caught it will be filleted and you can enjoy part of the fillet at the Driftwood Restaurant at a discounted price or carry this to your Hotel or Apartment for your own personal use.
All charters include: ice, bait, tackle, equipment, fishing license, professional mate, captain, and a tournament rigged boat for up to six people. Some of the finest fishing in ARUBA -- deep sea sport fishing, -- is available in the waters surrounding it’s coastline.
Please visit our website http://www.teasercharters.com or call us today for more information at
Phone: 011-297-5825088 – Mobile: 011-297-9927759 – Cell: 011-297-5660293
Tight lines,
Alfredo E. Pichardo
