Hook up on a monster Tarpon in the morning, reel in a Snapper around noon, and finish the day off by battling a Blue Marlin. What are we talking about? Fishing in Trinidad, of course! The action doesn’t stop there, as Tobago fishing offers anglers a premier bluewater experience to boot. Come to the Land of The Hummingbird and treat yourself to some of the best nearshore and offshore fishing you can find.

Known For

Trinidad

The larger of the two islands, Trinidad allows anglers to take part in thrilling coastal action with excursions into offshore waters. This is one of the few places on Earth where you can hook into a massive Tarpon, one after another. The famous Orinoco River drains into the ocean just 11 miles south of the island – this causes some murky waters around the island but also brings a bounty of Silver Kings. These monsters can be targeted year-round, but April sees hundreds of them around Trinidad. While the Tarpon rush is in town you can also hit the coastal waters for Kingfish, which tend to show up at the same time.

A bit further off coast you’ll find excellent Blackfin Tuna and Mahi Mahi action. Wahoo come very close–they’re just a couple of miles away from the northern rocky and steep shoreline. Sailfish is another great target and local anglers are used to hooking into multiple sails every day. They’re not smallies either, you can catch Sailfish weighing over 100 lb! The best time to hit nearshore waters of Trinidad is October through May, with November being the peak time.

Tobago

If you’re looking for a place to launch into first-class offshore fishing, look no further than Tobago! The island sits smack dab in the Guiana Current, which brings plenty of baitfish and their predators right up to the shore. Blue Marlin is one of the most prestigious species you can target, and they’re torpedo-sized! Anglers have reported catching Marlin as big as 1,200 lb not too far from the coast. Yellowfin Tuna is another sought-after trophy you can target. If you’re in Tobago in winter or spring, you can battle Tuna weighing more than 100 lb.

The action doesn’t stop in offshore waters either. The coastal area around Tobago plays host to a variety of exciting fish to go after like King and Cero Mackerel, Blackfin Tuna, Wahoo, and Mutton and Cubera Snapper. You can test your angling muscles against African Pompano or chase speedy Barracuda, all close to shore.

Fishing Techniques

Trolling

Most of the offshore fishing in Trinidad and especially Tobago is done by trolling. There’s a wide range of speedy fish to chase your bait like Wahoo, Barracuda, Yellowfin and Blackfin Tuna, and Blue Marlin, to name just a few. This technique is great if you want to take in the gorgeous sights of the islands and potentially break your personal best at the same time!

Bottom Fishing

With bountiful reefs and underwater structures around the island and the Guiana Stream bringing in nutrients, it’s no wonder that bottom fishing (locally known as “banking”) in this area is excellent. Mangrove and Mutton Snapper, many different Groupers, and a wide range of other fish all swim at the ready to eat your bait.

Fly Fishing

You don’t have to go to Bermuda to get your fly fishing on, there’s amazing action here! The islands boast flats with Bonefish, Permit, and various Jacks, while the elusive Tarpon swims out of the Orinoco River. If you’re searching for a place that has it all, you’re searching for Trinidad and Tobago.

Need to Know

Regulations

You don’t need a fishing license when charter fishing in Trinidad and Tobago. There are size restrictions for several species, and you should check regulations with the local captains as they’re always up-to-date.

Budget

How much money you should set aside for fishing in Trinidad depends on what you’re going after and the size of the boat. If you’re itching for offshore action you’re looking at around USD $500 for a half day (4-hour) trip. A 6-hour trip offshore costs between $700-$900, while a full day on the blue will set you back between $1,000-$1,200. Fishing charters that head out to coastal waters or go after Tarpon cost less, with a half day at around $300 and a full day going for about$500.

Getting There

Trinidad and Tobago have two international airports, one on each island. The larger one is in Piarco, Trinidad–the Piarco International Airport. Tobago has a smaller airport, the A.N.R. Robinson International Airport. It’s located at Crown Point, Tobago which is one of the hotspots for charter captains!

There’s also a regular ferry service running between the islands, connecting Port of Spain in the north and San Fernando in the south. A one-way ticket costs between $2-$3 and the trip lasts approximately 45 minutes.