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Fishing in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Anglers flock to Turks and Caicos for its world-class sportfishing. Providenciales is the center of all the fishing action as there are plenty of excellent fishing sites just a short boat ride away. The island also hosts a number of fishing tournaments throughout the year for deep-sea, bonefishing, and bottom fishing. A Turks and Caicos fishing adventure makes for a fun day out with the whole family and friends.

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Types of Fishing Charters 

Turks and Caicos is blessed with an abundance of reefs, underwater walls, quiet bays, and mangrove forests, which means that there are plenty of options when it comes to charters. 

Deep Sea Fishing

The Turks and Caicos islands sit on the edge of marine shelves that start at about 45 feet and drop thousands of feet into the ocean. This means there is plenty of deep-sea fish to be found very close to the islands. Potential catches include blue marlin, swordfish, sailfish, tuna, mahi-mahi, and barracuda. 

Bonefishing

Bonefish congregate in the mudflats around Providenciales, which makes it easy to pull in a decent haul just a short distance from shore. Bonefishing is typically done with a fly rod or spin casting from a shallow draft boat. Most bonefish range from four to eight pounds and it is common to encounter huge schools of them on the marine banks.

Fly Fishing

Fly fishing is increasing in popularity in Turks and Caicos. There are numerous charter companies that can guide you to excellent spots, set you up with equipment and teach you the basics like how to present a fly and cast. Catches include bonefish, tarpon, and snook.

Reef & Bottom Fishing

Reef and bottom fishing is relatively easy, so it’s a great activity for families with young children. Nothing beats watching the joy in a little one’s face when they catch their first fish. Typical catches include red snapper, bar jack, yellowtail snapper, cero, and barracuda. You could even catch a lionfish and shark. 

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Best Time of Year to Fish

You can fish year-round in Turks and Caicos, although some seasons are better than others for certain types of fish. December to March is the peak tourist season, so boats can get booked up fast.

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How Far Out Do You Need to Go for Deep Sea Fishing?

Because the Turks and Caicos islands sit so close to the marine shelves, it only takes about 10 minutes by boat to get to deep water.

Monthly Fishing Chart 

Many fish are available year-round in the waters off of the Turks and Caicos islands including grouper, snapper, cero, triggerfish, and bonefish. From November to March you have a good chance of reeling in deep-sea fish like mahi-mahi, sailfish, and blackfin tuna as well as barracuda and reef sharks. From July to September the conditions are excellent for blue marlin, bigeye tuna, and yellowfin tuna.

Fishing companies:

Privé

Privé offers private yacht charters on high-powered sports yachts outfitted with modern amenities like dual fish boxes with refrigerated plates, holders to store extra equipment, and outdoor kitchen and BBQ areas where you can cook your catches. Spacious cockpits can easily accommodate groups and the state-of-the-art sports equipment makes it easy to pull in the catches. www.prive-yachts.com

Panoply

Since 2008, Panoply has been taking guests out on the water for sport fishing, reef fishing, bonefishing, and more. The fleet consists of three luxury yachts perfectly set up for daily trips. No experience is necessary, as the crew is more than happy to show you the ropes. They’re also happy to sit back and let experienced anglers do their thing. www.panoply.tc