Fishing is a popular recreational
activity throughout the Caribbean and definitely in Trinidad. Anyone with a line, a hook,
bait, patience and a little luck can go fishing. We are an island and so there is an
abundance of locations for fishing and each fisherman has their own favorite fishing spot.
Occasionally however fishing enthusiasts like to try another location.
On this page we outline some of the popular fishing areas where almost every day
individuals can be observed fishing.
For convenience we have divided the country geographically and clicking
on the geographic link below will take you to that section of the country. To find
the locations referred to on this page, see the Trinidad Map
Mucarapo Bay is on the outskirts of Port of Spain, along the Audrey Jeffers Highway,
also known as the Foreshore. Fishing in this area is usually only done at high tide
because at low tide the water level on the in-shore area is extremely low.
Carenage
The large population in Port of Spain and its environs with its myriad fishing
enthusiasts places pressure on shore based areas of the north-west peninsula of Trinidad
as recreational fisherman seek open sea front. The recent construction of a jetty in
Carenage has provided an additional location for those whose hobby is fishing.
This jetty is located next to the Carenage fishing depot immediately before the Alcoa
bauxite terminal. The jetty is a concrete structure with railings and wide enough to allow
fishing on either side. An added benefit of fishing from this jetty is the row of lights
along the jetty that allow clear vision in the night. The water in this bay is somewhat
shallow and so it would be best to fish as high tide approaches.
The close proximity of Chagaramas National Park to Port of Spain and its
environs makes it an extremely popular fishing area. Almost every exposed area of
coastline is used for fishing. Within Chagaramas however some locations are used more
frequently than others.
Williams Bay
Williams Bay is located at the eastern end of Chagaramas and is the first
bay encountered as you enter the peninsula along the Western Main Road. Part of the
attraction of this area is the low sea wall that provides a solid platform for standing.
Another attraction is the fact that it is possible to park your vehicles next to the sea
wall. At low tide the sea level in this area is very low and so the majority of fishing is
done at high tide, particularly when high tide occurs during the early afternoon hours
(3pm - 7pm). The eastern end of the bay is the area in which most fishing activity occurs.
Salt Factory
This is a fishing spot used by those in the know. The end of the road
leading to the Salt Factory in Chaguaramas (First Avenue South) is a quiet fishing spot
used by locals in the Chaguaramas area. It is a small area with room for only two
fishermen. One of the reasons for it's popularity is the fact that the water level is
deeper than at other land accessible fishing spots in the area.
Anchorage Bay
This bay is along the Western Main Road in the Chagaramas peninsula
immediately after the entrance to the Trinidad and Tobago Sailing Association. Fishing
takes place from the rocks on the edge of the bay along the road. While the catches in
this bay are not huge and, as is typical of fishing, not guaranteed, people either catch
often enough or see others catch often enough to keep them coming back to the bay. The
bottom of this bay is rocky particularly as it approaches the shore so fishermen should
walk with extra hooks, line and weights.
Centipede Island
This island is a popular fishing spot for those in the know. The actual
fishing location is not on Centipede Island but actually on a small islet on the northern
side of the island. For those without a boat, a water taxi can be hired at Island Property
Owners facility for the short trip (5 minutes) to the islet. Arrangements can be made with
the water taxi for collection at a designated time or upon a cellular call.
Located at the end of the Tucker Valley Road in Chaguaramas is Macqueripe Bay. The
rocks on the northern side of the bay are often used for fishing. Also used for fishing is
the abandoned jetty on the northern side of the bay. The photo of Macqueripe Beach on the Beaches page shows the jetty.
This is not a well known fishing spot but ideally structured for the
recreational rock fisherman. It is on the northwestern side of the Point Gourde penninsula
in Chaguaramas. On this part of the penninsula there is an old seawall with areas that
make good benches. Close to the wall are underwater rock structures that usually attract
fish and there are abandoned ships in the vicinity that also attract fish. Behind the
seawall is a flat area that makes a good campsite for those who want to do an overnight
fishing expedition. The area has many mosquitoes and so insect repellant is required, if
staying overnight. Across the bay is a marina and hangars that provide a visual attraction
at night.
To get to this location is a relatively easy hike of about 40 minutes and
our Other Hikes page has a description of the
hike and directions.
The Maracas Bay Agri-Tourism Park has a small pond that is
stocked with tilapia and cascadura and gives visitors the opportunity to catch fish from
the pond. The fishing is strictly catch and release. You can bring your fishing equipment
or use the rods and bait that the park supplies. This type of fishing is especially good
for introducing small children to the joys of fishing. For more details on the park, see
our section on the Maracas Bay
Agri Toursism Park on the Other Places of Interest Page.
Las Cuevas Beach
Las Cuevas Beach lies along the North Coast Road,
approximately 8 kilometers east of Maracas. The bay is often used by north coast
commercial fishermen for catching bait fish, as schools of small fish gather in the bay.
Wherever schools of fish gather, larger fish eventually come to prey, hence the popularity
of this bay for fishing enthusiasts. Even if the larger fish are not caught you are
generally certain to catch some of the small bait fish, leading to an enjoyable day. The
north eastern end of the bay in the vicinity of the fishing depot is the most used
location because of the safety caused by the numbers of people in the area.
To get to Fort Abercromby,
you go past Las Cuevas beach and fishing depot and take the first road on the left and
follow the road until it ends at the fort. If you follow the tracks leading north you
emerge on a headland with the sea below. The south track brings you to a promontory
overlooking Las Cuevas Bay. For those using the north
headland, you should carry plenty of line as the headland is a significant height above
the sea.
The rocks at Galera Point are a favorite fishing ground of many,
especially the area below the lighthouse. To get to
Galera Point you turn off the Toco Main Road at the round-a-bout in Toco Village and
proceed easterly, going past the Toco Composite School and Salybia Bay. The lighthouse is at the end of the
road. On arrival at the lighthouse you walk along the northern side of the lighthouse and
follow the track to the rocks. One fact that must be taken into consideration by anyone
going onto the rocks is that the splash of the waves against the rocks can be heavy at
high tide. This can cause the footing near the edges to be slippery. Occasionally the
splash and spray are heavy enough to soak persons near the edge.
The headland at La Fouray is a little known fishing spot but highly
favored by those who know of it. The headland is not far above the water and the water
surrounding is deep so it does not require plenty of line to make a good cast. Spare hooks
and sinkers must be brought on any fishing expedition to this headland as there are
numerous rocks in the water below the headland.
The La Fouray headland is along the same coastline as Galera Point. For directions to La Fouray visit our Beaches Page.
This beach is along the Toco Main Road after Rampanalgas Village and
before Cumana Village. The beach is directly opposite Khan Avenue. It is an area of heavy
surf and currents that is not suitable for swimming but good for fishing. A long heavy rod
is recommended for this beach.
On the Toco Main Road at the 33 kilometer distance marker is a small
cove where two rivers run to the sea at either end of the cove. The cove is adjacent to
the main road and there are a few locations where there is sufficient space on the edge of
the road to park your vehicle. Part of the attraction of this cove for fishing is
the low sea wall that provides a place for sitting as well as placing your bait and other
equipment. The waters offshore contain rocks, so extra line, hooks and weights should be
brought with you. This cove is also a favourite camping
spot.
At the 34.5 kilometer distance marker on the Toco Main Road, shortly
after the village of Rampanalgas, is a flat cliff top that provides a great location for
fishing. The cliff faces the open ocean on one side and a sheltered bay on another side.
There is ample space for parking several cars off the main road and then one approaches
the ocean side of the cliff.
The mouth of the Nariva River is found along the Manzanilla/Mayaro Road. For those
coming from Sangre Grande it is after the initial stretch of coconut trees when the road
swings away from the coast and then rejoins the coast after going through a forested area.
For those approaching from Mayaro, it is shortly after the road leading to Kernahan Village.
This location may be the most popular fishing spot on this entire coastline. It is
possible to fish from the bridge, beach or river bank. The particular species that will
usually be found in estuaries are Tarpon, Mullet, Salmon, Grouper and Nariva has all of
these. As with all river mouth fishing the change of tides is the best time for catching
as the larger fish enter the river on the high tide and exit on the low tide. One factor
to be remembered when fishing in this area is that at dusk, the mosquitoes emerge from the
swamp, so carry repellant.
While the point at which the Nariva River joins the sea is the most popular location
for fishing, there are other areas along this river that are also good locations for
fishing. When approaching this area from Sangre Grande, the road crosses the river
approximately two miles before the river mouth. This bridge provides another location for
fishing. The bridge has been constructed with relatively wide pavements on either side so
that you can stand on the pavement and be out of the flow of the traffic. On this stretch
of the river, schools of grande ecaille (also known as tarpon) are sometimes seen lazily
swimming upstream.
The Manzanilla/Mayaro Road, before this bridge, runs through a coconut plantation. In
the area between the bridge and the Bovell coconut factory the river is 100 – 150
meters from the road. There are areas along the river bank where there is a break in the
mangrove providing direct access to the river and it is possible to walk through the
coconut area to the river.
Another popular fishing area along this coast is at the Ortoire River which is a few
kilometers after the Nariva River. Fishing is possible from the bridge across the river
which has relatively wide pavements and also at the river mouth.
Both the Ortoire and Nariva rivers are also good kayaking
areas.
Goodrich Bay in Savonetta Point Lisas is accessed via North Sea Drive (the road leading
to Industrial Gases Limited). At the end of the road is the former Caroni rum shipping
terminal in a large mangrove lined bay. Mangroves are spawning areas for fish and the
young spend their early lives among the mangrove roots, thus attracting larger predator
fish. The rum terminal does not have heavy shipping traffic and so for most of the time
this bay is in its natural state.
On the eastern section of the bay there is a concrete embankment providing a platform
for standing. The southern section is lined with mangroves but there are tracks through
the mangrove and fishermen have created clearings in the mangrove at the water’s
edge.
This fishing location is located on the boundary between Pointe-a-Pierre and Plaisance
Park in South Trinidad. As you descend Pointe-a-Pierre hill heading north on the Southern
Main Road, there is a service station on the eastern side of the road and directly
opposite this service station is a narrow road with a hotel on the corner. Taking this
narrow road leads to the beach. The road is only wide enough for one vehicle to travel and
at the end there is a turning/parking area that can accommodate two vehicles.
The shore area is a combination of mangrove, grass, abandoned concrete abutments and
steel pipe from an old jetty. It therefore provides several locations for standing or
sitting and casting your line. This shore line is on the Gulf of Paria and so will have
brown coloured water particularly in the rainy season.
San Fernando Waterfront
The entire waterfront of San Fernando is used for fishing, however the
popular area begins at the Wharf and extends is a southern direction to the Paradise
cemetery with the most popular location being directly opposite the PTSC compound. As with
most fishing on the western coast of Trinidad, the best time is around high tide
especially when high tide is between 3pm and 7pm.
The proximity of Mosquito Creek to San Fernando and its environs has made it a popular
fishing location for southerners. Mosquito Creek is the name given to the stretch of the
Southern Main road that begins after Cara Suites Hotel and ends at the Godineau Bridge.
The road runs alongside the sea and is backed by the Oropouche Lagoon. A concrete sea wall
has been constructed in an attempt to prevent sea encroachment and it is from this sea
wall that the fishing is done. While fishing takes place along the entire length of the
sea wall, the eastern and western ends are the most popular. At these ends the wall veers
away from the road moving the fisherman away from the vehicular traffic along the road.
Godineau Bridge
For those with a boat, the Godineau River provides freshwater fishing as
the main river is navigable for a considerable distance from the sea. For those without a
boat the bridge spanning the river provides an ideal location for fishing. The bridge
spans the river exactly where it meets the sea and is on the Southern Main Road, outside
of San Fernando immediately next to the Shore of Peace. As with all river mouth fishing,
the change of tides is the best time for catching as the larger fish enter the river on
the high tide and exit on the low tide. When casting into the river be aware that at low
tide there is a noticeable movement of the water out of the river.
Usine Ste. Madeline Pond
A well known freshwater fishing location in South Trinidad is the pond opposite the
former St Madeline Sugar Factory on the edge of the golf course along the Manahambre Road
to Princes Town. While the pond is visible from the road, there are actually two ponds
with the second pond being to the east of the pond along the golf course. When visiting
the pond you can sometimes see either an Anhinga or an Osprey plunging into the water to
catch fish.
The River of Hope is a wide (by Trinidad standards) river in Moruga that can be
accessed using La Ruffin Road. The
river is fairly deep and used by commercial fishermen to access the sea in their pirogues.
According to the commercial fishermen who live in the area, the river has grouper, tarpon,
salmon and mullet. Fishing can be done from the river bank or from the spring bridge
that spans the river.
For many a young person in the inland areas of Trinidad, fishing along a
river bank or from the edge of a pond with a simple bamboo rod is their introduction to
the world of fishing. For some individuals this remains as their preferred type of fishing
while for others freshwater fishing is an occasional alternative to saltwater. Along
Clarke Road in Penal, shortly after the Petrotrin office, is a moderately sized dam that
is a good location for freshwater fishing. This dam provides the opportunity for catching
cascadoo (cascadura) and guabine (waubeen).
To get to the Icacos
Point fishing area, when you arrive in Cedros at the village of Bonasse
on the Southern Main Road, you turn left onto Perseverance Road and then continue on to
Columbia Road and then to the Icacos Savannah Road. In the heart of Icacos Village you
turn right (west) and continue to the end of the road. The road ends here amid a jumble of
rocks as the sea eats away at the coastline in this area. The rocks provide a convenient
location for standing/sitting and casting a fishing line. To the left of the rocks there
is a sandy beach that also provides an area for bathing and fishing.
This is one area where people have been fishing and catching fish for over 200 years.
On 2nd August 1498 Columbus landed here and called it Punta del Arenal or Sandy
Point. Some time between 1784 and 1797 a land grant was given to create an
agricultural estate and to this date an estate is still operating on this spot alongside
the beach. It has been reported that people from the estate have fished on this spot from
the time the estate was created. Even up to today, people continue to fish from the beach
alongside the estate.
A mile west of Icacos beach is Wolf Reef which is reported to have with 400 lb groupers.
Point Coco beach is used by persons in the Southwestern peninsula for fishing. As this
is a very flat beach with a gentle gradient one has to walk into the surf to cast the
fishing line and then walk back to the beach and place the rod on a pole while awaiting a
bite. To get directions to Point Coco beach see
the Point Coco section on our Beaches Page.
Along the Clifton Hill beachfront a large rock sea wall has been constructed. This rock
seawall now provides an easily accessible location for fishing as the road runs parallel
to the sea wall, so you can park and clamber to the top of the sea wall.
To the immediate east of that sea wall, a rock breakwater has been built. That
breakwater now provides a convenient location for salt water fishing. It is fairly easy to
access the breakwater from the beach as the distance from the sand to the rocks is short.
To obtain directions to this breakwater see the Clifton Hill Beach section of our Beaches Page.
To the east of this rock breakwater there is the new beach facility and just beyond the
facility, the Guapo River enters the sea. All river mouths in Trinidad are good locations
for fishing. At this particular river mouth, mullet can usually be found and at certain
times of the year grand escaille (tarpon) will frequent the river mouth.
Every weekend at the irrigation canals on the eastern side of the Uriah Butler Highway
in the vicinity of the Caroni Flyover, fishermen can be seen with rods or nets catching
cascadoo (also known as cascadura). An important feature of the cascadura is its ability
to utilize its gut, which is richly supplied with blood vessels, to assist in breathing
when the water becomes low in oxygen. The fish surfaces and gulps air, allowing it to be
spotted by sharp-eyed fishermen and so giving a good indication of where the net or line
should be cast. They tend to rest among the roots of the Soharee plant which grows in
swampy land and also lay their eggs among the roots and so among the roots is a good
location for a line cast.
These canals always have water, with the level being higher in the rainy season. In
addition to cascadoo, coscarob, waubeen, mullet and catfish may be found in these canals,
as in other freshwater areas.
If you have a favorite fishing location, send us an
email with the details at info@trinoutdoors.com
For advice on fishing, visit our Articles section.
Surf and Tide
Forecast
If you have a favorite fishing location, send us an
email with the details at info@trinoutdoors.com
All photographs (unless otherwise stated) are the property of Brian Ramsey. None
of the photographs may be reproduced without the express written consent of Outdoor Business Group Limited and Brian Ramsey.
