Fishing Charters in the Turks and Caicos Islands
In the Turks & Caicos Islands we have the formula... warm weather, warm water, cold drinks and fish aplenty! Fisherman’s Paradise? Definitely. There are a few different types of fishing available in the Turks & Caicos Islands and I urge you to try your hand at all of them; you’re sure to come away with some amazing stories and photos!
Very Happy Tuna Fishermen! Photo by Pierre Magnier
BOTTOM AND REEF FISHING are the easiest variations and most likely to produce plenty of bites and a large catch - especially fun for children. Hooks are baited with tiny “sprat” or chunks of fresh conch and cast along the north side reef waters or south side banks. Common snares are fish in the much prized snapper and grouper families, including pot snapper, grey snapper, mutton snapper, strawberry grouper and Nassau grouper, along with yellowfin, parrotfish, boxfish and other reef browsers. Depending on the guide, the weather, the site and your preference, the booty can range from a dozen to 50 or more, with fish in the 5, 10 and 15 pound sizes not uncommon.
Bottom Fishing Boat Tour with Catch the Wave Charters
BONE FISHING is an exciting sport that can be done by spin casting or with fly rod. The shy silvery bonefish with its short underslung mouth and deeply forked tail makes its home on shallow flats, often near mangroves. This fish is said to be far feistier in the smaller version and feels like a monster on the end of your line! A fish that is far too bony for many to eat, this is definitely a catch and release sport. As you patrol along through the mud flats only a short distance away from Providenciales, you catch glimpses of rays and sharks as they too look for their catch of the day. These flats are all part of the Caicos Banks, hundreds of miles of shallow feeding grounds. At times you may come across schools of possibly 2000-plus creating mud piles of up to one mile in length! Here the engines are cut upwind of the school so that you may drift into them with your spin casters baited with artificial lures. If you hear the drag pulling, you must let them run or they’ll pop your line, because they’ve got the power! The skill is to keep the rhythm and put some “oomph” into your cast. You can anticipate pulling in some ten to thirty fish in a day while spin casting, while in slightly deeper waters the skilled fly fisherman can go in search of the larger prey. With this, your captain will quietly pole you along in a slightly smaller skiff as you try to sight this elusive creature!
Blue Marlin are caught in record numbers during the summer season.
BLUE WATER FISHING in the Turks and Caicos is said by many to be the finest in the Caribbean, as evidenced by the number of angling professionals who fish the annual summer billfish tournaments. The Atlantic’s premiere big game trophy fish - the blue marlin - is plentiful all year, but caught in record numbers during the summer season. Most of the fish are 100 to 200 pound males, occasionally a 400 pound fish. The large population of small blues also presents the perfect opportunity for anglers attempting to land billfish on light tackle or flyrods. Sailfish and white marlin scout the edge of the reef from November to April, which are also the best months for wahoo, tuna and dolphin fish. Barracuda are big and plentiful year-round, while yellowfin and blackfin tuna hang around Providenciales (Provo) well into the summer.
Bonefishing with Catch the Wave Charters Captain Ed Missick
The beauty of fishing here is that within 15 minutes of leaving the dock, you reach “the deep” and can start to troll. As many as six lines are rigged and set from the boat - some skip along the surface and others aim to lure fish from below. The excitement begins when a fish hits! The hook is set with a few sharp jerks of the rod and the fight begins - a sight as thrilling for spectators as it is exhausting for anglers. Sailfish and marlin tend to jump from the water in a series of breathtaking leaps, while wahoo may take off below the surface at 60 MPH. Dolphin fish put up an electrifying, high-flying battle in neon colours. Mackerel tend to put up a smaller fight, but because they swim in schools, two or three may take the bait at one time.
Gwendolyn Deep Sea Fishing Charters
Don’t forget that you will need a FISHING LICENSE to fish in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Fees are as follows: 1 Day: $10 - 1 Month: $30 - 1 Year for a Non-Belonger: $60.
Fishing licenses are usually available (and often included in your fee) if you are booking a fishing excursion with one of our many providers. They are also available at the Department of Environment, a round building with a turquoise roof, on the Lower Bight Road. Please note that, fishing license or not, fishing within National Parks is strictly forbidden, so make sure you are fishing in an approved area before you make your first cast!!!
According to our local experts the best fishing is on or near the new Moon or the full Moon. Though, of course, a talented angler can always find success!
If you’re the type of person who likes to dive for your dinner you should be aware there are stipulations on both Lobster and Conch: The Lobster season is closed from April 1st to August 1st and there are size limitations; there is no Conch season but there are size limitations. The remaining fish are not subject to any seasonal restrictions, so bring your rod and expect the best!
For more information please visit www.environment.tc or email nationalparksinfo@tciway.tc
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Catch The Wave Charters
Welcome aboard with Captain Edward Missick. Explore the Caicos Islands in comfort, style and elegance. Bone fishing, spin casting and fly rod, bottom fishing for snapper or grouper. Customize your cruise, we are great for private parties. Beach cruising, snorkel, we specialize in private charters.
A – Z: Contact details for Catch The Wave -
Gwendolyn Fishing Charters
Full, half or multiple day charters aboard “Gwendolyn” a 45’ Hatteras. Fish for marlin, sailfish, tuna, dorado, wahoo and more. Includes bait, tackle, non-alcholic beverages. Most experienced charter captain and crew in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Accept Visa, MasterCard and AmEx. Located at the Turtle Cove Marina.
A – Z: Contact details for Gwendolyn Fishing Charters -
Hook’Em Fishing Adventures
Located at Turtle Cove Marina, Providenciales (Provo), Turks & Caicos Islands. From deep sea to bottom fishing, let Captain Wing Dean and one of our experienced mates show you where the fish are! Bottom fishing, deep sea, night fishing, bonefishing, beach cruises and custom adventures. Over twenty years experience in the charter fishing business, we know these waters well!
A – Z: Contact details for Hook’Em Fishing Adventures
