Turks & Caicos DIY Bonefish
In a life before kids, I was fortunate enough to see some incredible fly fishing destinations. Working as a film/web/SEO bum I was able to visit places well out of my pay grade. Belize, MX, Bahamas, Guatemala, Grenada and several others always had me in awe. One of my friends said to me “we are working in someone’s post card.” Having fished and visited all these exotic locations it wasn’t until several years ago that I stumbled into Turks & Caicos.
Turks & Caicos is one of the nicest islands I have ever visited. The climate, in my mind, is near perfection. Sunny, mid eighties, light breeze and low humidity suits my chubby physique. The beaches of Turks & Caicos are often written about and voted to be some of the nicest in the world. These articles attract tourists from around the globe, but what they fail to mention are the Turks & Caicos fly fishing opportunities available on all of the Islands. While we spent most of our time on the flats of Provo we did venture to North Caicos for a full day of DIY Bonefish Fly Fishing. There are hundreds of miles of unmolested flats and mangroves that you could spend a lifetime exploring.
Releasing a North Caicos Bonefish
Things To Know If You Go To Turks & Caicos
Turks and Caicos is an excellent place to bring your family. Unlike some fly fishing destinations, where there are not a lot of other activities to do, Turks and Caicos has numerous options for the angler who travels with his/her family. Flights arrive daily into Providenciales which is known for Grace Bay. Here you will find incredible beaches with a thriving downtown area as well as resorts. On the South end of the Island you will find Chalk Sound, Taylor Bay and Cooper Jack Landing. This area is a little more remote but is still only a 10 minute ride to town. Renting a car is highly recommended and we also recommend buying the insurance. The roads are rough so splurge for a vehicle with a little higher clearance. I may have crashed into some coral, blew out two tires and lost a rearview mirror. But that is not for discussion.
There are ferry services as well as domestic flights that allow you to reach some of the other islands such as, North Caicos, Middle Caicos and South Caicos. These areas are less populated and do not have as many amenities as Provo but are equally as stunning.
Fishing licenses are 30 bucks for the month (they were in 2018) and can be purchased from the Harbor Master at Turtle Cove on Provo. Here you can also charter an offshore captain if you would like a shot a catching Wahoo, Barracuda and Billfish. You can also rent a vehicle from Scooter Bob in the same complex. It is a good stop.
Turks & Caicos Bonefish Fly Fishing Recommendations
Gotcha’s and Clouser’s in tan, pearl, light pink & brown are all good fly patterns to carry. Many of the flats are have light colored bottom so lighter colored flies in sizes #4, #6, #8 are necessary. Some of the flats are also very shallow and often times have Bonefish with their backs out of the water. In these scenarios it is nice to have Bonefish Fly patterns that have light bead chain eyes that do not sink quickly. Many of the flats are accessible by vehicle, but in some areas I would recommend a Kayak or SUP for access. Some of the areas also have soft bottom making it difficult to wade. Good wading shoes are a must. Simms, NRS, Astral, Orvis, whatever you choose be sure they fit well.
You can expect to have windy fishing conditions in the Turks & Caicos. We suggest that you learn the double haul and practice casting before you hit the flats. Being able to accurately cast in windy conditions will increase your success rate exponentially. A 9 foot 8 weight is a good fly rod for casting into the wind and fighting Turks & Caicos bonefish. We suggest bringing at least two rods and reels with the line to match for your fly fishing trip. As mentioned above, there are no areas (that we found) that provide fly fishing equipment.
Most of the Turks & Caicos Bonefish that we encountered were between 4 -8 pounds with smaller schools and larger singles mixed in. We like to fish the outgoing and incoming tide so be sure and check the tide charts before venturing out.
Lodging
There are several lodging options on the Turks & Caicos Islands. Everything from luxurious condominiums, villas and suites to affordable VRBO rentals. Take your time and find a place that is suitable for you and your guests. There are multiple grocery stores on provo that have everything you need but be prepared to spend a little more than average on fuel, food and alcohol. There is also a 12% tax on goods/services.
I can not say enough about the Turks & Caicos Islands we are planning a trip for 2019 and cannot wait to explore more of this fishery. If you are considering this as your next fly fishing destination, I highly recommend it. Feel free to reach out to anytime if you would like to discuss fly fishing in Turks & Caicos. 970-368-5959.
