Turks and Caicos in the FALL

[bostonbruins477]

SO... i might just have to take a semester abroad next fall, and it is likely going to be Turks and Caicos. I was wondering if anyone had some insight or knowledge of the local fall fishing, in particular wading from shore. I mostly fish CT and MA for stripers and blues in the summer, with the occasional fall outing. What weight rod will i need down there?

Thanks for your help

[Brugal]

September and october are great fishing months down there. The weather is good just watch for the odd hurricane. I would suggest you contact catch the wave charters. Ed missick is fantastic! Shore wading is not plentiful but a couple of spots for bonefish.

[gotcha]

I stayed in Provo in March 04. They have some of the most extensive and beautiful flats I have ever seen,,,but it is VERY expensive. The guru on the island is Art Dean. He gets 800$ for a day (not a typo) and from what I have heard, his other guides are not nearly as good as he is. Yes there are other options (that I took on principal) My guide never took the pole out once, took me to two flats, I saw one shark. I understand the game, and have been out with great guides with poor results, thats fishing; but this guy just did not work at all. I did manage to hook several bones on my own on a few of the lakes on the Island. If you want more info, I would be happy to give it to you.

[outback]

I was there last Oct 04 - after the hurricanes rolled through many areas in the Bahamas....Fishing was ok...but, not great...very limited access access areas for shore wading...and to get around...a lot of dirt road...not marked well...it could be a road or someone's driveway.
Only fished 2 1/2 days...it wasn't suppose to be a fishing ...right! :rolleyes:
Stayed on Provo...fished with Barr Gardineer, Bonefish Unlimited...good guy, knowledgeable...put me on the fish, in the boat and wading...but he will fish with you wading...your backup with a spin rod :brow some people don't like, I didn't care, cause I kinda wandered off on my own away from him on the flat.
The tides weren't the best, we had spring flood tides in the am...and most the bones were way up in the trees...you hear 'em maybe get a shot at some nice 4 - 6 pound bones only to have them bust off when wrapping around a mangrove root.
All typical bonefish flies worked, small crazy charlies 2, 4, 6 's in pearl, tan, and brown, Vereka's shrimp, and Chartreuse and white clousers !!! didn't bring enough of them. You need to bring your own tackle...I carried 4 pc 6, 7, 8, 9
weight... and floating lines...did fish the muds by boat a half day with Silver Deep and used a 250 gr sink head for constant non stop action for twinkie sized bones with my kids and a buddy.
I can tell you it was $$$$$ expensive Barr got $500 or $550 day don't remember, and Silver Deep, Arthur Dean got $850 which I thought was way outy of line.
Averaged at least one 5 to 6 pound bonefish each trip, along with 4 - 6 others
had other shots that I messed up...along with many opportunities to hook, small bonnet sharks, and 3 to 4' blacktips if you were itching for a tug.
Can't say the place was crawling with bonefish like other places in the Carribean.
My experience was liimited to Provo...and most of the flats were on the South and West side of the island. Pretty long boat ride.
I wanted to try Beyond the Blue, another guide outfitter who fishes the skinny
water flats off Caicos via airboat...but time and funds prevented me :mad:
next time though...would definitely GO back again.