InTheBite -

Fishing Reports

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	Posted By:	Steve Cole	Date Posted:	07-12-2009
Fishing Area: Turks and Caicos
Well what can we say, while the earlier part of June was a little slow, the later part of the month proved to be red hot for Blue Marlin in Provo. The fish have ben holding a little longer in the southern Bahamas and have finally moved in around Provo. We were 6 for 12 the last 10 days and a couple of the other boats there for the summer season did just as well. Mid-July to the end of September should be great. Our largest was around 500lbs. with most of the others in the 250 to 350 range. One of the boys ran over nearer Mayaguana the other day and released one estimated at close to 800. We're raising ours off a 13 squid dredge with most of the strikes coming on either of the two short flats with mid-sized lures riding right next to the dredge.. If you can get away between July 23 and August 10 we still have a few days available - just about as close to guaranteed as you will find anywhere to at least raise a fish! Capt. Steve CHECKMATE www.adventure-island-fishing.com
	Posted By:	Steve Cole	Date Posted:	04-24-2009
We just returned from fishing our winter season in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. Located just south of the Bahamas for those who don't know the place. While it was a little windy at times you can always get out and fish there as you are working the lee of the Island. The Wahoo bite was a little less predicatable than in past years but there were still good fish around with several over 85lbs. I've caught Wahoo up to 132lbs and I am sure the all tackle record lives there! We caught our first Blue Marlin of the year in early Feb.- released that one at about 200lbs or so and had another come up the same day but not eat. Yellow Fin Tuna were also more aboundant over this past winter than normal with several in the 50+ range. Usually we wouldn't see many there until late March thru May and then again in the Fall. The boat is still down there (46 Hatteras) and we will be back to fish the Billfish Tournament the second week of June, if anyone wants to join us let me know. Marlin season there is just about guaranteed during the 5 days before and after the moon during June, July and August. Maybe the best part of fishing Provo is that you don't have to go far from the dock, normally we have lines in within 15 minutes!! Let me know if anyone has an interest in coming down to fish this summer or the coming Fall and Winter. Capt Steve Cole "CHECKMATE" www.adventure-island-fishing.com
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	03-30-2008
The wahoo fishing started slow this year but a mixed bag of dolphin, sailfish, yellow fin and white marlin made the winter season memorable. We still are focusing our efforts on monster wahoo (100 lbs and better) while preparing for blue marlin season (May - August). Our trolling pattern consists of yo zuri bonitos orange/black on the flat lines with one (or more) 48 oz trolling leads and ballyhoo with a islander on the ouriggers. The center rigger always has a cedar plug or a trolling feather for the tunas. Since the price of diesel has skyrocketed from $3 to $5 per gallon we have slowed our trolling speed from 10-12 knots to 7-8 knots. At this slower speed presentation is everything. Maybe this accounts for our success of more species but fewer wahoo. Faster is still better for wahoo in my opinion. Blue marlin season is fast approaching. We are still the destination where people say "Turks and Caicos" where is that? The blue marlin definately don't have the same problem, thankfully. The numbers in May - August are staggering. Our drop is less than two miles from the beach so forget about long boat rides. The short run means that calm seas are the norm. I have fished all over the world but have to say that May - August there is not another place that has better marlin fishing than Turks and Caicos. Our spread is fairly normal and common. We like to pull a four lure spread of Pakula rats in either the frigate (purple/black) or lumo (green/yellow). We rig a stiff single hook (Mustad 7752 Tuna bend stainless steel 10/0 or 11/0) on stainless cable. Our leader is suffix 400lb. Teasers, we prefer the bowling pin style with the mirrors. Bait and switch for the light tackle/fly fishing fisherman is performed by simply removing the hooks of the above mentioned pakula rats, shortening all the lines and keeping the mate and fisherman prepared. Circle hooks for the ballyhoo in the bait and switch are a requirement for our operation. Depending on weather and sea conditions we vary our speed from 6 to 9 knots. Try speeding up to 10 plus when you get one of those completely flat calm days. Our second largest wahoo (128 lbs) came on such a day in July. I have no doubt that we would have never caught that fish had we not adapted to the conditions. A shameless plug: I am Captain Geoff Adams and have reassumed control of Gwendolyn Fishing Charters. That 45' Air conditioned Hatteras is still raising record fish after 15 years. Turks and Caicos Islands are 700 miles from Miami and we have 4 daily flights to MIA (plus many of direct flights). Great hotels, U.S. dollar is the national currency, great diving/snorkeling, and awsome fishing are just a few of the reasons that people keep coming back. Feel free to write with comments, advice or suggestions. captain.geoff@hotmail.com
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	04-30-2006
We are anticipating another record year for blue marlin that officially kicks off May 15. Captain Darren managed the most releases our 15 year history. Even more impressive (especially for a charter boat) is that he managed a very high release/bite ratio of around 50%. We are still fishing Pakula rats black/purple (frigate) with a single Mustad tuna bend stainless hook 11/0. We rig the hook to the back of the skirt by using 900 lb stainless cable with stainless crimps making the whole rig as ìstiffî as possible. The wahoo bite still remains the best it has been in some years but somewhat sporadic these last few weeks. Tuna has been good and is expected to increase with the onset of warmer waters. Most of the bigger wahoos have taken on the wire rods with a 48oz trolling lead and topped off with an orange and black Yo Zuri Bonita. Sea conditions have been very good with the exception of the stronger low-pressure systems coming of the coast of the US. We updated our fishing fleet with 34 foot Proline with twin Mercuryís. The boat has helped our tuna fishing by allowing fast runs to the offshore grounds plus some great bottom fishing/deep dropping. All in all it has been an exciting year and we are waiting for the blue marlin and tuna bite while still catching some big wahoos. Captain Mark Leathley/Gwendolyn Fishing Charters/http://www.fishingtci.com 649-231-4430 or 1-866-990-3474/email sam@tciway.tc
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	02-01-2005
Things are starting to heat up in Turks and Caicos while the weather cools down for the rest of the world. What a year! The colder weather in the continental United States has pushed down an incredible diversity of species. Along with the wahoos we have been catching plenty of Mahi, tuna and seeing quiet a few billfish. It has created a challenge to design a spread to have shots at all these different species. Rig light mono to catch the tunas and sailfish then a 100 lb wahoo cuts you off. Rig with all heavy cable and wire for the big wahoos and then the sailfish and tuna wonít bite. The answer came by the ingenuity of Captain Darren Doonan and one of the oldest lures known, cedar plugs. Darren took a Sea Striker 6î Cedar plug (purple) and rigged it on 150lb Suffix leader but added a twist. Crimp the one end with a loop (end that clips onto the swivel) at the other end make a loop, which needs to have a very small loop, but attach another loop (very small loop) of Malin stainless steel (.049/270lb) cable (about 6 inches). Now youíll have six feet of 150lb mono with a loop at both ends. At one end of the mono you have connected the 6î of stainless steel cable. Insert the cable through the cedar plug, if you made the loops small enough the cedar plug will be able to slide freely from one end of the cable to the very top of the mono. MAKE SURE ALL THE CABLE IS HIDDEN INSIDE THE CEADR PLUG PRIOR TO ATACHING THE HOOK. Form a loop at the end of the cable and attach a Mustad 3412CD extra heavy duty needle eye hook. That is all there is to it. It is true that we could catch much more tuna and sailfish on naked ballyhoo on light mono but who wants to pass up the big hoos. We fished this past weekend with a dozen other boats (very rare for Turks and Caicos) and out fished them all with our cedar plugs catching tuna, sailfish, mahi and plenty of wahoos. We also managed to cover more ground than the competition since we were trolling at 9 knots compared to 4-5 knots for the guys pulling naked ballyhoo. In my estimation there is not a better lure ever designed than a cedar plug. We are still pulling plenty of YoZuri Bonitas as well. In my professional opinion it is unnecessary to pull any natural bait with the bite that we have here and time and experience has borne that out. Next time you are in a similar situation try some cedar plugs. Please feel free to contact with any questions. Captain Geoff Adams Gwendolyn Fishing Charters 1-866-990-3474 649-946-5321 http://www.fishingtci.com email: sam@tciway.tc
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	11-27-2004
This truly has been a crazy year. We are now having a run of sailfish which is odd for us. Today we released three sailfish plus one blue marlin. We also have been seeing many more dolphin than normal. Wahoos are still biting good we caught five today and another boat caught one that topped the scales at 80 plus lbs. Combination of bait (rigged ballyhoo and needlefish being used but our personal preference continues to be the Yo Zuri Bonitas 8 3/8 in the orange and black and anything heavy enough to drag at 10 plus knots in the rigger with purple/black being the preference. Over half the bites coming right in the prop wash so donít forget to fish some close. Geoff Adams Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands Gwendolyn Fishing
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	11-09-2004
I thought that this deserved an fishing report update. November 5 was a special day. We caught 36 nice dolphin, three 60 lb yellowfins and a sailfish all within one mile of the cut in the reef and less than two miles from the marina. One of the best days of action Iíve had in a while. Fishing was so good that I had no chance to fish for wahoo. Geoff Adams, Gwendolyn Fishing Charters http://www.fishingtci.com
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	10-22-2004
We seem to be well into our winter fishing season a little earlier than usual here in Turks and Caicos aboard the Gwendolyn. Two days ago we caught two nice wahoos in the 50lb range plus some tunas and a nice mahi. Marlin season finished well but we lacked enough fisherman due to the near misses of the numerous hurricanes (no damage with the exception of some landscaping, thank God) so it is unclear as to the current status of the marlin bite. At any rate, itís nice to have a chance to fish the edge of the reef which is only two miles (or less) offshore here. We are using the same techniques as always for the wahoo with medium speed trolling. Typical spread is two Yo-zuri Bonitas (8 3/8 inch Orange/Black) rigged on stainless cable fished on two Shimano 80s with a 300lb shock leader (12-15 feet) and a 48oz trolling lead rigged with stainless cable which is attached directly to the swivel. Fish one of the YoZuri Bonitas just in the wash letting out just enough line to wet the trolling lead with the second just within the wash. For outriggers baits, we are currently using the lures from Eat Me Tackle which seem to have just the perfect shape and weight to troll well at 10 knots plus in the purple/black colors. We also fish a shotgun down the middle behind the wash with a cedar plug or trolling feather for the tuna bites. I know that it has been mentioned but I still believe that the faster you troll the more wahoo bites that you will get. My rule of thumb is troll as fast as possible while still keeping the baits in the water. We look forward to having another good year with a few wahoos that will top the 100lb mark while always being on the lookout for the ever-present sailfish, white marlin, mahi and tuna. If you have any questions about my post, rigging techniques or fishing the Turks and Caicos Islands please do not hesitate to contact me at http://www.fishingtci.com or 1-866-990-3474. Captain Geoff Adams/Gwendolyn Fishing Charters
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	06-14-2004
Today, June 14, we caught and successfully released two blue marlin in one four hour trip (went two for three and managed to loose the largest fish). Both anglers caught there first blue marlin while fishing in turks and caicos. the bite has been good and getting better as we approach July. We are still using the same techniques to raise the and catch the fish. All lures with a single stainless steel hook rigged stiff. Starting at the edge in about 1,000 feet of water and working that edge suring the peak of the sun 10am - 4pm. Speeding up to 9-10 knots on exceptionaly calm days and slowing to 7-8 knots on days with a good wind chop. Don't forget the edge during the falling tide which seems to have the best bite. Feel free to drop us a line for more details at our e-mail address or toll-free at 1-866-990-3474
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	03-28-2004
We caught the first blue marlin of 2004 very early this year, in March. Even though the season doesnít officially ìkick-offî until May 15 we have seen several free jumping fish and managed to release this first fish of the year which was an estimated 400lbs. The fish ate a Pakula Purple/Black (Frigate) Mouse fished in the shotgun position (way back in the spread). To make things more interesting, it was hooked on a ìstandupî Shimano 50 and had us almost spooled until we were able to turn the fish. Even more amazing, the fish was hooked in 250 feet of water while attempting to catch wahoo. No telling how many fish we could be catching if we were actually fishing for them. The wahoo bite still remains the best it has been in four years but somewhat sporadic these last few weeks. Most of the bigger wahoos have taken on the wire rods with a 48oz trolling lead and topped off with an orange and black Yo Zuri Bonita. We have been seeing lots of humpback whales although the tuna have yet to follow them in the numbers we have seen in years past. Sea conditions have been very good with the exception of the stronger low-pressure systems coming of the coast of the US. All in all it has been an exciting year and we are waiting for the blue marlin and tuna bite while still catching some big wahoos. Captain Geoff Adams/Gwendolyn Fishing Charters/http://www.fishingtci.com 1-866-990-3474/email sam@tciway.tc
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	01-04-2004
Fishing is deinately picking up now for wahoo. We caught our first fish over 100lbs (101 to be exact). With the severe fronts the fishing has been the best that it has been in over four years. Ctaching some dolphin as well after storms. The pinnacle has had several succesful visits already this season. Catching most fish on Yo Zuri Bonitas orange/black single hooks 8 3/8. The areas around the "cuts" directly out front producing the most consistent fishing. For more information contact us at 1-866-990-3474 (FISH) or at sam@tciway.tc Geoff Adams Gwendolyn Fishing
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	11-23-2003
Fishing is picking up once again in Turks and Caicos for wahoo, dolphin, sails and whites. Per usual, wahoo are the most numerous by far and have already caught fish exceeding 80lbs. Dolphin after cold fronts and the occasional white marlin and sailfish bite. Billfish are hearder to catch right now as the wahoo are first to the spread. Marlin season ended by giving us the most succesful year in our nine year history with over 50 releases including four doubles (a first). We are using a modified high speed troll for the wahoo and catching most of our fish or orange/black yo zuri bonitas (8" single hooks) and a combo islander/octopus skirt combo. For information contact Geoff Adams at 1-866-990-3474 or cell at 649-231-4420
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	10-03-2003
The bite continues for blue marlin but spending most of our days working on the boat. Here is the new information on the new tournament: Turks & Caicos Billfish Tournament The Turks and Caicos International Billfishing Tournament will be held July 6 ñ July 10 and will be an all-release tournament. There will be IGFA certified observers and polygraphs. We expect to post an extra cash award of $50,000 for anyone who can release 8 billfish over the four days of fishing. Expected prize money is anticipated to top $100,000 with over twenty boats participating. We have selected these dates to coincide with the final leg of the Bahamas Billfish Tournament at Boat Harbour which is June 20 ñ June 25. We hope that everyone will take the opportunity to fish both tournaments. A preliminary calendar of events is as follows: July 5 ñ Registration and Calcutta at Aqua Restaurant July 6 ñ First day of fishing July 7 ñ Second day of fishing and cocktail party Banana Boat with live band July 8 ñ Mandatory lay day July 9 ñ Third day of fishing July 10 ñ Fourth and final day of fishing with awards ceremony at Baci Restaurant Proposed entry fee: $3,000 Calcutta will take place by an open cry bidding NOTE: This tournament has nothing to do with the Caicos Classic or Turtle Cove Marina!
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	09-02-2003
The bite for blue marlin continues. We have 38 releases since June 1, 2003. Other species still slow but waho and tuna are picking up. The deep dropping is still great with large mystics, yellow eyes and queens being caught at will. For more information contact Gwendolyn Fishing at 1-866-990-3474.
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	08-02-2003
Guys, I am so sorry about your experience at the recent tournament. Please do not let any of this poison you against the great fishing in Turks & Caicos. There are some changes in the works. Stay tuned for updates in November. Otherwise, fishing continues here in Turks & Caicos. Fewer but bigger fish within the last two weeks. Some tuna and wahoo but mostly blue marlin. I believe it was the boat Never Say Never that caught a large double header yesterday. Rumor has that both fish topped 300lbs but no comfirmation yet from the crew. We still have the following boats down fishing: Never Say Never, Aquaholic, Sea n Double, Catch 22, Baliwik, Palmeto's Pride. Everyone catching some fish and having fun. For more information contact Captain Geoff Adams Gwendolyn Fishing Charters 1-866-990-3474 sam@tciway.tc
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	07-07-2003
Wow! Yesterday Gwendolyn scored three releases. Three for three. The fishing is the best it has ever been for blue marlin according to the total numbers. Most of the action is still of the hotel at Parrot Cay pulling plastics. For more information call Gwendolyn Fishing at 1-866-990-3474 (FISH).
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	06-27-2003
The marlin fishing has been heating up here in a big way. Gwendolyn finally managed to release four fish in one day and the amazing thing is it was two double which is also the first time we successfully released a double. The big news this week was concerning the boat Tight Lines. They managed to hook a fish around 850lbs but unfortunately the fish died during the fight. Photos and measurements confirmed the weight of the fish which is a new island record. We are seeing much bigger fish this year more so than any other time. Most of the successful fishing is taking place up by Parrot Cay while trolling all plastic. A few more boats arriving now with water temps above normal. Call Gwendolyn Fishing toll-free at 1-866-990-3474 (FISH) for current fishing reports.
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	11-19-2002
Marlin season ended with some large fish being caught and wahoo, sailfish and white marlin season has got off to an early start. Seeing quiet a few sails but the wahoo are stealing the show. Per usual, the little ones are moving in first soon to be followed by the 100+lbs (we hope). Speed trolling along the edge (thanks Jack and Andy) are producing the best results with orange and black yo zuri bonitas and any heavy head with a squid skirt or a fake bonita strip in the riggers. On a personal note, I am proud to announce that we have hired Chris Bock (through this webpage's jobs listings) as our new captain. He will be skippering the Gwendolyn through the 2002-03 season. He has already made a good impression on the fish around here and we look forward to more of the same. For more information including local offshore weather forecasts log onto http://www.fishingtci.com or call us toll-free at 1-866-990-FISH (3474)
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	08-31-2002
Sorry for the tardiness of this report and the lack of substance but it has been a busy thirty days. The boat Traci Lynn may have left but she definately left her mark. She weighed a blue marlin exceeding 500lbs after she died during the battle. Captain Walt from Spearfish released a 600lb plus blue in early August. Overall, without looking at everyone's numbers, it was an average season here in Turks & Caicos Islands. The one exception is that the fish were much bigger than normal. As usual, all boats have left for other ports and I'm fishing here all alone. Three days ago, I was lucky enough to see the largest blue marlin of my life but unlucky in that my Shimanos did not hold enough line. The fish ate a black/purple Pakula Rat went straight down for 400 yards and then straight up. The line broke next to the spool and the fish jumped 500 yards away from the boat. No idea on size, but its safe to say that it was well over 500lbs and looked much larger than the 800lb plus blue we caught two years ago this October. Fishing is still very good here but with only one boat fishing each day it is tough. We are spending the rest of September trying to catch our first swordfish. There are tales from a former longline operator here 25 years ago that there are some huge swords here and they have had no fishing pressure since. Wish us luck or come give us a hand. Thanks to all the boats that made 2002 a success. Questions contact Geoff Adams at Gwendolyn Fishing Charters 1-866-990-3474 or at http://www.fishingtci.com
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	07-25-2002
The bite is definately on in Turks & Caicos Islands. The Gwendolyn recovered from her bait and switch illness to land two fish (one around 375lbs) over the last two days on pakula lures kajika in color (pink and orange) Captain Miles Whyte, Mate Casey Stubbs and Owner Geoff Adams. The other boats in the marina have put up some staggering numbers in the last week. Off Pump had three releases in one day as did Desperado from NJ. Today belonged to End of the Line from Palm Beach. Captain Mike Hester, mate Mike Bischoff and angler/owner Cecil Patterson caught a 569lb blue on black/pink soft head hooker. Unfortunately the fish did not make it and was weighed in at the dock. The upside is that the locals want be needing any fresh fish for the rest of 2002. Catch 22 from Islamoroda rleased 4 blues and caught two nice yellowfins at 58 and 75lbs. Palmmeto Pride from Charlston wasted no time with 5 blue marlin in four trips with the top fish about 500lbs ( Captain John McNamara and Mate Cegare Smith). Traci Lynn, (mates: Chris Costello and Chris Conner and Captain/Owner: Larry Costello) had four blues in six days of fishing plus pulled one off at around 300lbs. Arc Strike(S.C.) with Captain Mark McTarthy, Mate Gar Womer and angler/owner Frank Novak had 4 fish and 9 bites plus jumped one off at around 600lbs. Who could forget Pisces who went 4 for seven in the last six fishing days with Captain Matt Shunk, mate Richard Fresco and owner/angler Pete Menten (fish 200-400lbs). The women anglers are not to be left out as angler/owner Carol Smith released 5 fish while her husband Oliver Smith helped out and in no small thanks to Captain Walt Vankoppen. The bite is absolutely awsome and the weather is excellant with only 4 footers or less for your troubles. Anyone needing further information can call toll-free at 1-866-990-3474 or email at sam@tciway.tc
	Posted By:	Geoff Adams	Date Posted:	07-13-2002
The bite goes off in Turks & Caicos in July! We still have a good contingent of boats here in Turks & Caicos and the blue marlin bite is great. Yesterday, we had five different blue marlin in the teasers lessm than two miles from the beach but missed them all with bait and switch and circle hooks. The fish were super aggresive with the teasers. All boats here (Pisces, Traci Lynn, Vixen, Placebo, Doc Holiday) having many shots per day. We are seeing alot more big fish this year with mutiple shots at fish over 500lbs. Jack and Andy from Sorry Dear managed to plant a satellite tag in a fish better than 500! The fish, per usual, are congregating off of Northwest Point (3 miles from the Marina) and Ft George Cay/Parrot Cay (4 miles from Marina). For us Purple/Black(Frigate) and Pink (kajika) Pakulas have been attacked most often. The Tournament was a success now thsat they finally changed the format back to a release format with observers. No fish were killed and Traci Lynn won the tournament. On the last day of the tournament Traci Lynn released 3 fish! Call 1-866-990-3474 for further information or log on to http://www.fishingtci.com for complete information. Captain Geoff Adams/Gwendolyn Fishing Charters
	Posted By:	Carole Klinko	Date Posted:	07-12-2002
As of July 11th the marlin tally for boats fishing out of Turtle Cove Marina stands at Sakitumi - 26 raised, 12 released (local charter boat), Aquaholic - 4 raised, 2 released, Doc Holliday - 5 raised, 3 released, Traci Lyn -6 seen, 5 released, Placebo - 11 raised, 7 released.

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