BD would like to introduce our next Fishin’ Chick, Alysha Aratari, who shares some of her story with us.
BD: Where do you live?
Alysha Aratari: I live in Key West, Florida.
BD: What do you do?
Alysha Aratari: I work in the real estate business.
BD: What are your other hobbies?
Alysha Aratari: Fishing really keeps me on the water every chance I get, but you can also find me on at the end of a .270 hunting rifle or on the golf course working on my game.
BD: Who or what got you into fishing?
Alysha Aratari: I was introduced to fishing before I can even remember; it was just a way of life for me. I learned to tie a knot before I could tie my shoes. I grew up on the water in Southwest Florida catching snook, tarpon and reds. It was just something that I accidentally fell in love with; it’s not an escape for me but where I belong. I eat, sleep and breathe early morning bites, salty days and the weight of a nice fight on the other end of my line.
BD: What types of fishing have you done and where?
Alysha Aratari: I think I am too spoiled living in Florida, we have the best fishing here. Whether its catching mogan reds and snook inshore, hooking up to bonefish here in the keys, or heading offshore and catching sailfish, I love it all. We have it way to good here.
As far as traveling outside the U.S., I have only fished in Costa Rica and the Bahamas.
BD: What is your favorite kind of fishing so far?
Alysha Aratari: Easy, I smile because my answer is always the same; tarpon. Tarpon fishing takes the prize because there is nothing else like it for me. For anyone who has experienced the thrill of a tarpon exploding from the water, you know exactly what I am talking about.
BD: What are some future goals or plans pertaining to fishing?
Alysha Aratari: I want to dominate in the lady tournaments. I don’t want to have to introduce myself when I enter a tournament. I would also like to encourage lady anglers not to be intimidated by the once male-dominated sport. The numbers of women who fish is on the rise. I’ve also got catching a roosterfish on my bucket list.
BD: What part of fishing do you like the most?
Alysha Aratari: I really like to learn new techniques. I was thrilled when I finally learned to skip a lure up under the mangroves and not get tangled up in the trees.
BD: Tell us about some of your proudest moments in fishing?
Alysha Aratari: One highlight was winning First Place Lady Angler in 2013 for the Ladies Tarpon Tournament. It didn’t hurt that we schooled the local islanders in their own tournament on their own stomping grounds. It made the victory even sweeter… I’m just a little competitive 🙂
Thanks Alysha and good luck to all your fishing endeavors.
Photo Credits: Hunter Ledbetter Photos
