Providenciales Deep Sea Fishing Charters
Turks and Caicos is a great destination for pelagic and deep-sea sport fishing, most of which takes place near the island of Providenciales. Numerous charter companies operate out of the two main marinas (Turtle Cove Marina and Blue Haven Marina) on the island's north coast.
The great fishing is largely due to the archipelago's geography and underwater topography. The Turks and Caicos Islands are situated on a distinct marine plateau with sheer edges, where the depth quickly drops from around 40 feet (12 m) into the thousands. The islands are found near the edge of this marine shelf, so deep water and fertile fishing grounds are often less than 10–15 minutes from the dock.
While deep-sea sport fishing is popular with experienced anglers, no prior experience or extreme strength is required to try it. Charters have crew onboard who do most of the work—they rig lines and help you reel in larger and heavier catches if necessary, gaff larger trophy fish, and teach you the techniques. That being said, reef and bottom fishing charters tend to be better for families with young kids.
Deep Sea Fishing Charters
Deep-sea charters are typically offered as half-day (4-hour), three-quarter day (6-hour), or full-day (8-hour) private excursions. Shared tours generally aren't offered.
Most trips leave from the north side of the island, as it's a shorter boat ride to deep Atlantic Ocean waters. Once they reach these waters, charters drop numerous lines and begin trolling. Boats can travel as far as Middle Caicos on longer excursions.
Most vessels are modern sport fishing yachts in the 40–60 foot (12 to 18 m) range from manufacturers like Hatteras and Bertram. These comfortable yachts offer spacious fighting decks and air-conditioned cabins with salons and bathrooms, and have ample space with room for 10–15 passengers. Luxury charters may offer additional amenities, such as gourmet catered lunches and top-shelf beverages.
Some companies run deep-sea fishing trips on smaller open-console vessels, which can be nice for shorter excursions.
What's Included
Typically included in your charter are complimentary refreshments (water, soft drinks, and local Turk's Head beer), snacks, fishing licenses, and all equipment, rods, and bait. On 6-hour and 8-hour charters, lunch is usually included. Lunch ranges from catered sandwiches and wraps to a full gourmet lunch.
Some companies also include pickup and drop-off in Grace Bay.
Common Catches and Trophy Fish
There are fairly defined seasons for many of the big game species found in Turks and Caicos, which affects what you are realistically able to catch on vacation.
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Sailfish, wahoo, and mahi-mahi (dolphinfish) are more likely catches in the winter months, whereas blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna, blue marlin, and white marlin are more common in the summer from May to August.
Skipjack, mackerel, great barracuda, horse-eye jack, and sharks can be caught year-round.
Billfish are catch-and-release species (generally, so are sharks). Edible fish such as wahoo, mahi-mahi, tuna, and mackerel are often kept and given to guests. If you don't have a kitchen at your accommodation, consider having a local restaurant prepare your fish for you. A few establishments, such as Mangrove Bay Restaurant, will happily season and grill your catch.
What to Bring
While many luxury sport yachts have air-conditioned cabins and shade, it's important to prepare for intense sun.
Bring a hat, neck gaiter (buff), long-sleeve rashguard, sunscreen, and polarized sunglasses. Consider packing anti-motion sickness medication (such as Gravol) if you're prone to seasickness.
Fishing Tournaments
The main game fish event is the annual Wine Cellar Golf & Fishing Tournament. Several charter companies offer guests the opportunity to fish with them in this tournament, which spans multiple days. Throughout the year, numerous smaller light tackle competitions take place on Providenciales.
Before it gained a global reputation for having some of the best beaches in the world, Turks and Caicos was one of the best-kept secrets for sport fishermen and scuba divers. In the past, Providenciales hosted several top regional events that attracted yachts from around Florida and the Caribbean. These competitions had quite impressive openings, with dozens of sport fishing boats filing out in a convoy at the start of each morning.
DIY Sport Fishing
Turks and Caicos is a great destination for cruising and yachting, is easy to enter, and high-quality fuel is available at a decent price. If you'd like to try deep-sea fishing on your own vessel, you'll need to obtain a recreational fishing license beforehand.
For general information on fishing, protected areas, limits, and more, see our Fishing Guide.
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