Big fish days start at 1pm. This private half-day charter on the 43’ Bertram Wahooters aims to get you from marina to fishing action quickly, with lines in within about 30 minutes, plus trolling along the wall in some of the best water in the region. I especially like the hands-on crew energy, including Capt. Tricia and deckhand Joe’s focus on staying on the fish, and the fact that your catch gets cleaned and filleted back on the dock so you don’t have to deal with it. One thing to plan for: while the boat fits up to 8, the TCI fishing license is included up to 6 people, so extra anglers may need to cover any additional license cost.

If you want the classic Turks and Caicos combo of clear water, offshore sport fishing, and a smooth, no-hassle turnaround, this trip is built for that. I also like that you’re not stuck in a silent boat—there’s music, snacks, sodas, water, and light beer available—and the pace is set for four hours of real fishing time.

Key Highlights to Know Before You Go

• Lines in fast: depths around 7,000 feet are about 20 minutes from the marina, with casting/trolling started soon after boarding.
• Private charter for up to 8: you choose the vibe, and you’re not sharing the boat with strangers.
• Crew support when it matters: Captains and deckhands (including Joe and Neko) are praised for help once fish are on the line.
• Season drives the catch: summer and winter species lists are very different, including big wahoo in winter.
• Catch handling is included: the crew cleans and fillets your fish after you return.
• Food and drinks onboard: alcoholic beverages, snacks, soda, bottled water, and light beer are part of the package.

Wahooters Private Charter: How the 1pm Deep-Sea Trip Works

This is a private 4-hour afternoon charter out of Turtle Cove Marina in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, starting at 1:00 pm and ending back where you started. You’ll be on the Wahooters, a 43’ Bertram Open Express Sportsfisherman yacht sized for groups up to 8, which is a sweet spot for both fishing and hanging out.

What makes this outing feel efficient is the way the day is structured. You board, get a safety briefing, then you head toward offshore fishing grounds and get lines into the water quickly. The goal isn’t to spend your time “traveling” offshore—it’s to shorten the time between leaving the dock and feeling that first tug.

You’re also not expected to bring much to make it work. Fishing gear and bait are included, and there are snacks and drinks onboard so you can stay comfortable while you’re waiting on bites. That matters on a half-day trip, because the clock is part of the experience.

One more note: transportation isn’t included in the price. If you’re staying along Grace Bay, pickup is offered with different area charges, so you’ll want to line up timing and location in advance.

From Turtle Cove to 7,000-Feet Depths in About 30 Minutes

Turks and Caicos deep-sea fishing can feel intimidating on paper, mainly because people assume it takes a full day just to get offshore. Here’s the practical difference: the fishing grounds are close enough that you can be working the water fast.

The plan is to depart the marina at 1 pm, reach depths around 7,000 feet roughly 20 minutes from the dock, and have lines in within about 30 minutes. Then you troll along the wall. That “wall trolling” style matters because you’re fishing where the action is more consistent than scattered, random runs.

Once you’re in position, the trip has a classic offshore rhythm: cast work and trolling, periodic adjustments, and crew attention when conditions change. If your group has people who want to fish and others who just want to watch and relax, this format tends to work well. On past trips, the boat has been described as having plenty of room to fish and move around without feeling cramped.

Crew Support on the Water: Why Captains Matter More Than You Think

On a private charter, the crew becomes a big part of the value. This is not just someone handing you a rod and wishing you luck—it’s active help, plus adjustments based on what the water and birds are doing.

In the captain-deckhand team, I’d focus on the people who are known for staying engaged. Capt. Tricia is singled out for really looking for fish, and deckhand Joe is praised for being excellent once something was on the line. Capt. Patricia and deckhand Neko also get mentioned for putting people on fish.

Then there’s the family side. Captain Warvy and crew are credited with making the whole experience work for kids too, which is a key detail if your group includes a first-timer or a 12-year-old who’s excited but still learning how the process feels.

If you want the trip to feel smooth, here’s what you can do: be ready to listen during the safety briefing, then ask questions early. A good crew can explain how to handle the rod, what you’re watching for, and how to react when you feel a bite.

What You Might Catch: Summer vs Winter Species in Turks and Caicos

Turks and Caicos fishing changes a lot by season, and this charter is honest about it. In summer, the target lineup includes blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, blackfin tuna, bigeye tuna, skipjack, albacore tuna, and mahi mahi. In winter, the list shifts toward big wahoo, white marlin, sailfish, blackfin, and bigeye tuna, plus barracuda.

That season split is important for two reasons. First, it helps you set expectations so you’re not disappointed if the species you hoped for isn’t in season. Second, it affects how the captain might approach trolling and where they focus their attention.

The “wahoo” angle is worth calling out. This region is known for monster wahoo, and the trip description points to top-level action both in summer and winter. If you’re traveling specifically for wahoo, winter is the time to align your dates.

Also, even if your group doesn’t land a marquee fish, the sport still delivers something: the excitement of getting lines in quickly, learning the flow of deep-sea trolling, and experiencing the teamwork of the crew.

What’s Included Onboard: Drinks, Snacks, Gear, and the License Piece

Let’s talk practical value. You’re paying a private charter price, so the question is what you don’t have to pay for when you get on the boat.

Included in the charter:

• Fishing gear and bait
• All fees and taxes
• A TCI fishing license up to 6 persons
• Alcoholic beverages, bottled water, and snacks
• Soda/pop (and light beer is available as desired)

What’s not included is private transportation. If you want pickup, it’s available along Grace Bay and some areas beyond, but charges vary by location. You’ll want to pre-arrange times and the exact pickup spot so you don’t lose time on either end.

A small but important consideration: since the license is included up to 6 people but the boat holds up to 8, an 7th or 8th angler may need additional handling. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s one of those details that can surprise people if nobody thought about licensing until the day-of.

Onboard comfort is also part of the value. You’ll have music and choices like sodas, water, and light beer, plus snacks, which make the waiting and repositioning much easier.

The On-Water Flow: Safety Briefing, Trolling, and Bite Time

Your afternoon charter follows a pretty clear sequence. After you board, there’s a safety briefing. Then you head out to the fishing grounds, and the trip aims to have lines in within about 30 minutes.

Once you’re trolling along the wall, you’ll settle into a cycle of watching the rod tips, staying ready for bites, and helping keep things moving. On a private charter, you can usually manage this without feeling like you have to take turns every five minutes—there’s room for everyone to participate in the action, not just one person at a time.

If you have mixed experience levels, the setup helps. First-timers can focus on learning the basics while others can fish more actively. And when the crew spots the right moment to work a line, they can step in—something that’s directly praised by people who mention deckhand help once fish were hooked.

In a four-hour window, timing matters. With the quick start built into the itinerary, you get more of your limited time doing the actual sport fishing part, not just staring at open water.

Cleaning and Filleting Back at the Dock

The best part of bringing fish home can be the last step, and this charter handles it. When you return to the dock, the crew will clean and fillet your fish, so you can take it back to your resort.

That’s a real convenience. It saves you from finding a last-minute way to do it on your own. It also makes the fish feel like a true vacation souvenir rather than a logistics problem.

One thing to keep in mind: the experience description talks about cleaning and filleting on return, so plan on a more active end to your day—packing fish in a way that stays fresh for the ride back to where you’re staying.

If you’re traveling with people who don’t care about fishing but do care about eating well, this is one of the strongest “yes” points. You get both the thrill offshore and the reward after.

Price and Value for a Private Group Up to 8

The price is $2,884.68 per group, up to 8 people, for about 4 hours. That sounds steep until you break it down by group size and by what’s included.

If you split it across 8 anglers, the per-person cost drops meaningfully. And you’re not just paying for a boat. You’re getting:

• Fishing gear and bait
• All fees and taxes
• Drinks and snacks onboard
• Cleanup and filleting on return
• A fishing license included for up to 6 people

So the “value math” depends on how you’ll fill the boat. If you only have a couple people, you’ll feel the private cost more. If you’re traveling with friends or family and can realistically use the full group capacity, it becomes more sensible fast.

There’s also a quality-of-experience factor. Private means you can fish without the friction of sharing space, and the crew can focus on your group. When people talk about how the captain and deckhand stayed engaged, that’s the kind of payoff you only really get on a charter format.

Best Fit: Families, First-Timers, and Anglers Who Want Results

This works well for a few common travel styles.

Families: Kids can have a great time here when the crew keeps things moving and stays helpful. Capt. Warvy and the team are credited with making kids love the trip, which tells me it’s not just “adult sport fishing only.”

First-timers: If you want to learn the basics without chaos, a private boat is a good way to do it. You also start quickly, so you’re not burning the day just getting offshore.

Anglers who hate waiting: The “lines in within 30 minutes” setup is built for people who want action. If you’ve ever booked a half-day activity and felt like it was mostly transit, you’ll probably appreciate this one more.

If you’re an ultra-serious competition angler, you might consider longer trips in general, but we can only speak to what’s listed here: this is a half-day charter designed for a tight, focused experience.

The One Thing to Watch: Communication and Cell Service Reality

Here’s a practical gotcha that’s easy to miss on islands. US-based cell service can be incompatible with local systems, and if you rely on a phone-only message thread, you might miss key updates.

So my advice is simple: check email and any confirmation messages the night before, and make sure you’ve got the details ready before you head out. That reduces stress and keeps you from arriving unprepared.

It’s not a complicated issue—just a small island reality. Plan like you’d plan for a tour in a remote area: confirm, save the start time, and show up at the right marina.

Should You Book Wahooters with Grand Slam Fishing Charters?

Book this if you want a private half-day deep-sea fishing experience that starts fishing fast, includes gear and bait, and handles the heavy lifting when it comes to cleaning and filleting your catch. The standout theme is crew attention—whether it’s Capt. Tricia, Capt. Patricia, Neko, Joe, or Warvy—people highlight that the captain actively looks for fish and the deckhand helps when something bites.

Consider a different option if your group is small and you’re sensitive to private charter pricing. Also, if you’re traveling with 7 or 8 people, check the fishing license detail since it’s included up to 6 persons.

FAQ

FAQ

What time does the Wahooters charter start?

The trip starts at 1:00 pm and ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the charter depart from?

It departs from Turtle Cove Marina in Turks and Caicos, and it returns to the same meeting point.

How long is the private deep-sea fishing trip?

The duration is about 4 hours.

How many people can go on the charter?

It’s a private activity for your group, with room for up to 8 people.

What fish do you catch on this charter?

In summer, the possible catches include blue marlin, yellowfin, blackfin, bigeye, skipjack, albacore tuna, and mahi mahi. In winter, possible catches include big wahoo, white marlin, sailfish, blackfin, and bigeye tuna, plus barracuda.

Is pickup included?

Private transportation is not included, but pickup is offered at resorts along the Grace Bay area and some locations beyond, with charges that vary by area. You’ll need to pre-arrange the pickup time and location.

What’s included in the price?

Included are fishing gear and bait, all fees and taxes, the TCI fishing license up to 6 persons, and onboard items like alcoholic beverages, bottled water, snacks, and soda/pop (light beer is available as desired).

Can children participate?

Yes, children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.