The Turks and Caicos is home to some of the best fishing the Caribbean has to offer, thanks to the islands’ proximity to deep water and the wealth of marine life you can find around them. While April to September is generally considered the best time of year to fish in these parts, spectacular fishing is just a short ride from shore year-round. If you’re itching to cast a line to wrangle blue marlin, grouper, or bonefish in style on your vacation to the archipelago, here’s what you need to know.
The Deep-Sea Fishing Is World-Class
From The Strand, it’s just a 30-minute boat ride to the famous fishing spots of West Caicos and French Cay. Providenciales is home to several charter companies, including Panoply Sport Fishing and Grand Slam Fishing Charters, that specialize in catching big game like wahoo and mahi mahi migrating along the coast. Catch varies by season. While wahoo is the coveted winter catch for fisherfolk, blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, and mahi mahi are big biters during the summer months.
Bottom Fishing Here is Fun for the Whole Family
Calmer than deep sea fishing, bottom fishing is an activity that takes place at the edge where the Caicos Banks drops off to the deep blue. The target species—triggerfish, Nassau grouper, strawberry grouper and several species of snapper—are especially tasty and fun to catch. Smaller game and calmer waters make bottom fishing a great activity for both experienced fisherfolk and newcomers to the sport.
The Bone Fishing is Internationally Renowned
In the archipelago’s shallow flats, bone fishing offers anglers an entirely different experience than deep sea and bottom fishing. The islands are an international mecca for this catch-and-release style of fishing, with companies running operations out of Providenciales, North Caicos and South Caicos. Bonefish here can get up to 11 pounds, though most average between four and eight. Bone fishing is a great way to explore the neighboring islands off Providenciales, whose flats offer some of the best fishing around.
You’ll Need to Fish in Season, and With a Permit
To fish in the Turks and Caicos, it’s essential that you obtain a fishing license for anglers over the age of 16. Most charters include licenses in their booking fee—individually, licenses can be purchased for one day or for a month, at $10 and $30, respectively. A recreational fishing license will allow you to keep 10 pounds of cleaned fish and one trophy fish per day.
Keep in mind that it’s illegal to fish in protected areas in the Turks and Caicos, such as several wetlands and flats near North, Middle and East Caicos. This includes fishing at certain beaches, such as Bight Beach, Grace Bay Beach, Leeward Beach, and Turtle Cove, as well as the shallows of Chalk Sound National Park and the Pigeon Pond and Frenchman’s Creek Nature Reserve. It is also illegal to fish species— such as Nassau Grouper, which can legally be caught from March to September—out of season.
Make Your Island Dreams a Reality at The Strand
The Strand is a luxury residential community in Cooper Jack Bay, Providenciales overlooking the stunning aquamarine hues of the Caicos Banks. When you invest in oceanfront property at The Strand, you get more than a beautiful home in one of the most coveted destinations in the world—your investment also affords you the ability to fish anytime you wish. To make The Strand your dream home-away-from-home, get in touch.
