Turks and Caicos

[JonS]

I'll be shipping some rigged fishing kayaks to the Turks and Caicos. The area is the Providenciales on the south side. I want to know if anyone knows what the fishing's like there? I have an opportunity to go down there and use the yaks I'm sending him. Thanks.

[OceanRunner]

Tarpon and Bones on the back side, Jacks and Macks on the front. Sharks are all around.

[JonS]

Thanks for the reply. What do you consider the back and which is the front? Also what times of year are best? Also what size do the bones and tarpon run?

Much appreciated.

[OceanRunner]

The island is on the edge of a big underwater plateau. The front side, to the east has a gradual sandy drop for a few hundred yards until you hit the reef, then it drops to the abyss, the back is many miles of flats and channels… Both sides are great for kayaking.

The bones are small, medium and large… You will think the big bones (if you find them) are baby tarpon when you first see’em. They feed like Tarpon as well (the little stuff just isn’t interesting to them). The Tarpon are small (40 to 60 pounds), and a blast on surface flies! At high tide the Jacks come right up on the beach and shouldn’t be overlooked. They are awesome on light gear.

Time of year shouldn’t make to much difference as these are resident fish. Their feeding will vary due to weather conditions and mostly to available bait.

Good luck!

[JonS]

Thanks for the info. Where are the tarpon most prevalent? We'll be on the Providensial island or however you pronounce it.

[teacha]

I fished a day on T&C while on a dive trip 2 years ago. I had a great day on the water with Captain Barr Gardiner. I kept his card in my dive log, his e-mail is or was bonefish@provo.net, good luck!

[OceanRunner]

Jon,

The Tarpon were on the back side, near shore in deep pockets or channel edges. In the early AM, they are easy to find sipping air... Just look for surface activity.