Influencer Editorial Team
Turks and Caicos has built an international reputation as a turquoise‑water playground where serious tournaments and sun‑seeking vacationers coexist. From the deep Atlantic trench that drops off just minutes outside Providenciales to the sheltered Caicos Bank flats, the islands offer year‑round action—and a calendar of headline events that give traveling anglers multiple shots at take-home silverware. In fact, the national tourism board lists competitive fishing—alongside bone‑ and reef‑fishing—as one of the signature experiences that draw visitors back every season.
The 2025 season is exceptionally compact. Festivities began February 1st with the one‑day “Who Cares” Wahoo Shoot‑out at Turtle Cove Marina, famous for its tongue‑in‑cheek toilet‑seat trophy and an open invitation to visiting boats. Next came the Wine Cellar Golf & Fishing Tournament, 6–9 March, pairing two days of offshore meat‑fish with a charity golf scramble at Royal TCI. The marquee Caicos Classic IGFA Billfish Release then anchors the peak billfish run, with organizers pencilling in 7–11 July out of Blue Haven Marina; winners qualify for the IGFA Offshore World Championship.
For visitors, slotting into these tournaments is surprisingly seamless. Charter operators based at Blue Haven and Turtle Cove Marina can arrange temporary fishing licenses (US $12 for a day) and dockage, supply tournament‑grade tackle, and even handle video‑release protocols for billfish events—leaving guests free to focus on the fight. The national guidelines make it clear: anyone over 16 must hold a license, but most charters issue them on the pier as part of the package.
Among those charters, Catchin’ Caicos has emerged as the go‑to platform for anglers who want comfort without sacrificing competitiveness. Their flagship—an elegant 60‑foot Hatteras sport fisher with a generous 18‑foot beam—offers the largest cockpit and salon of any for‑hire vessel in the country, yet still draws only six feet, letting the crew work close to the reef line when necessary. Below decks are three staterooms and full air‑conditioning, making overnight tournament stints or early‑morning pre‑bait runs unusually civilized.
The hardware on board is equally purpose‑built: Shimano Tiagra TI80WA two‑speed lever‑drag reels matched to Blackfin rods for the heavy trolling spread, lighter Talica TAC50II setups for mid‑range wahoo work, and a Furuno suite with 3‑D sonar overlays that lets the skipper mark bait balls in real time. That mix—cold‑forged drags, big‑game blanks and omni‑sonar—was designed to shorten fights and reduce release mortality, but it also happens to give guests bragging rights long after the weigh‑in.
Put together, the tournament calendar and a turnkey charter like Catchin’ Caicos create a neat proposition: fly in with hand luggage and step onto a yacht that can both chase a blue‑marlin flag and pour a chilled post‑fight sauvignon in the same afternoon. Whether you’re keen to swing at the Caicos Classic record book or simply tick “tournament angler” off your bucket list, the islands—and a particularly well‑appointed 60‑foot Hatteras—are lining up to make 2025 your year on the leaderboard.
References
- Visit Turks & Caicos Islands Tourism. “Fishing in the Turks and Caicos.” https://www.visittci.com/things-to-do/fishing (accessed 18 May 2025).
- “Who Cares Fishing Tournament.” Facebook Page Post, 1 February 2025. https://www.facebook.com/p/Who-Cares-Fishing-Tournament-61566956103623/
- IGY Marinas. “14th Annual Wine Cellar Golf & Fishing Tournament” Press Release, 11 February 2025. https://www.igymarinas.com/article/14th-annual-wine-cellar-golf-fishing-tournament/.
- The Somerset on Grace Bay Blog. “Turks and Caicos Spring Events – Big South Regatta.” https://www.thesomerset.com/blog/turks-and-caicos-spring-events (accessed 18 May 2025).
- Visit Turks & Caicos Islands. “Deep Sea Sport Fishing – Providenciales.” Section: Fishing Competitions. https://www.visittci.com/providenciales/things-to-do/deep-sea-fishing (accessed 18 May 2025).
- Catchin’ Caicos Official Website. “60ft Hatteras Yacht – Our Fleet.” https://www.catchincaicos.com/ (accessed 18 May 2025).
- Catchin’ Caicos Official Website. Equipment section detailing Shimano Talica TAC50II reels and Garmin electronics. https://www.catchincaicos.com/ (accessed 18 May 2025).
