Without any shadow of doubt, one of the most exciting and rewarding things to do in the Turks & Caicos Islands is to take a genuinely once in a lifetime deep sea fishing trip. Not only is this part of the Caribbean home to some of the most outstanding fishing charter services in the world, but it is also undoubtedly one of the most stunningly beautiful regions to head out for an exciting day on the ocean. In fact you might say the fishing element is nothing but a bonus – simply spending time in these breathtaking surroundings is a genuinely dreamy experience in its own right.
So for those heading out to this glorious part of the world and interested in experiencing deep sea fishing as only the Caribbean does it, here’s a quick Q&A covering a selection of the most important questions and their respective answers:
Q – How Long Do the Trips Last?
How long is a piece of string? Seriously though, what’s really fantastic about deep sea fishing trips in the Caribbean is the way in which they can be organised to be as long or short as you like. If you’re not entirely sure about the idea or it’s your first time, you might want to think about a relatively short trip just to test the waters…no pun intended. If on the other hand you’re a seasoned professional and would like to really make the most of your day, you could always bob yourself on a trip lasting in excess of 12 hours – it’s all up to you.
Q – Is Food Provided?
This again depends entirely on the type of trip you book and who you book it with, but more often than not there will be the offer of all-inclusive packages. It’s therefore important to check the specifics of the package you are interested in so as to find out what you will be expected to bring and what is provided. Do be aware however that if you are required to bring your own food, drink and supplies, there may be restrictions on things like alcohol and sharp objects.
Q – What Should I Wear?
What’s crucially important to remember is that while out at sea, the breeze might keep you nice and cool but the sun’s rays can still be extremely strong. This can be rather lethal combination if it is ignored, which is why it’s crucially important to bring along something light to cover your arms and legs if necessary. It’s hard to tell how warm or cool you will be throughout the duration of the trips, so bring along a few of thin layers to put on and take off as and when required.
Q – Do I Need a License?
Any licensing requirements or permits will be handled and/or provided by your deep sea fishing charter service provider. It will be made abundantly clear whether or not you need a license for the trip you intend to take – should a licence be required it will be charged at the standard rate for the trip’s duration and organised by the service provider. As such, you don’t need to worry about licensing prior to your holiday.
Q – Can the Catch Be Guaranteed?
In a word, no – predicting the behaviour and activities of fish with 100% accuracy is something no human being will ever be able to do. That being said, with generations of experience in and around the area combined with state of the art fish tracking technology, it is almost unheard of for quality deep sea fishing charter trips to come back without every individual on board completely thrilled with their catch. There are even some charter services that are so confident in the services they provide that they offer money-back or repeat-trip guarantees in the rare event of a disappointing turn out.
Q – Can I Keep What I Catch
The answer to this question depends on what you catch, the time of year you catch it and the policies of the charter company taking you out on the trip. Some fish are endangered and therefore cannot be kept, certain species can be kept only at specific times of year and there are plenty of charter services that insist on all fish being returned to the water upon being caught.
Q – What If I’ve Never Fished Before?
Last but not least, if you’ve never held a fishing rod in your life, then there is really no better place in the world to get started than right here. Under the watch of an experienced and professional deep sea angler, you’ll pick up the basics in no time and soon find yourself equipped with the skills and knowledge required to net the kinds of fish you may have never even laid eyes on in your life.
