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. [email protected]
