Fishing
There is seasonality to the fishing in Trinidad with sailfish being plentiful from November to April and kingfish, African pompano and Spanish mackerel abundant between June and September. Dolphin and wahoo action peaks from October to May and other species - such as tarpon, tuna and shark - are plentiful year round. Many charter boat operators are based in Chaguaramas, on Trinidad’s northwestern peninsula, and offer customized fishing trips.
Fully equipped charter boat rentals can start at US $500 per day. Alternatively, you can arrange outings with local fishermen for less than US $100 at any of the marinas dotted along the Chaguaramas coast. Most fishing charters keep to the North Coast and Gulf of Paria and entail trolling for game fish or banking over shoals or shipwrecks. With an abundance of game fish, Trinidad plays host to several international tournaments, including the Kingfish Tournament in June, the Tarpon Bash in August and the Wahoo Tournament in early March.
Most offshore fishing trips concentrate on the North Coast and the Gulf of Paria, which separates Trinidad and Venezuela. The Gulf of Paria fishing experience involves banking over shoals or shipwrecks for redfish, grouper or carite. Some of the world’s best tarpon fishing can be found in the waters of the Bocas, off Trinidad’s northwestern peninsula with the feisty giants seemingly everywhere.
If seeking a relaxing afternoon casting your line, any beach can be a great place for fishing. On Trinidad's east coast, the mouth of the Nariva River at Manzanilla Bay is a favoured fishing location. The mouth of the Godineau River on Trinidad's west coast is another popular fishing location. At both of these estuaries Tarpon, Mullet, Salmon, Grouper and Jack Crevalle are hooked. The jetty at Maracas Bay on the north coast is an ideal location for relaxing, while further along the north coast, Las Cuevas Bay is always fun for the casual angler as schools of bait fish gather in this bay.
