6 Hour Beginner-Friendly Offshore Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Sixhour offshore fishing adventure targeting Mahi Mahi and TunaBeginnerfriendly guidance with all gear and setup provided aboardSmall group experience with professional captain on Contender 35'
Looking to get your feet wet in the world of deep sea fishing? This 6-hour offshore adventure from Punta Cana is designed specifically for newcomers who want to experience the rush of hooking into serious gamefish without feeling overwhelmed. Captain Bolivar knows exactly how to make first-time anglers comfortable while putting you on fish that'll have you talking for years. Aboard his well-equipped Contender 35', you'll learn the fundamentals of offshore fishing in some of the Caribbean's most productive waters, with plenty of hands-on coaching to build your confidence behind the rod.
Your day starts early when you meet Captain Bolivar at the marina, where his Contender 35' is rigged and ready to fish. This isn't some cramped boat – you'll have plenty of room to move around, cast without tangling lines, and actually enjoy the experience. The captain keeps things relaxed but focused, explaining what he's doing as he navigates to the fishing grounds about 45 minutes offshore. Once we're on the fish, expect to spend quality time learning two proven techniques: trolling for pelagics and bottom fishing for reef species. The beauty of this trip is that there's no pressure to be an expert – Captain Bolivar and his crew handle the technical stuff while you focus on fighting fish. The boat's equipped with quality tackle, outriggers for trolling spreads, and all the safety gear you need for a worry-free day on the water.
You'll master two fundamental offshore fishing methods that consistently produce fish in these waters. Trolling involves pulling lures behind the boat at specific speeds to mimic injured baitfish – it's deadly effective for mahi mahi, wahoo, and tuna that cruise the blue water. Captain Bolivar sets up the spread with different lure colors and positions, then teaches you how to watch the rods and react when something hits. The second technique, bottom fishing, targets grouper and other reef dwellers using heavier tackle and natural baits. You'll learn to feel the difference between a fish bite and bottom structure, how to set the hook properly, and the right pressure to apply when fighting fish around rocks. All rods, reels, terminal tackle, and bait are provided – the captain uses quality gear that won't let you down when you hook something big. The crew helps with everything from rigging baits to gaffing fish, so you can concentrate on the fun part.
Red Grouper are the bread and butter of Punta Cana bottom fishing, typically running 8-15 pounds with some real bruisers pushing 20-plus. These fish live around rocky structure in 80-150 feet of water and fight like bulldogs, making powerful runs toward their holes when hooked. They're most active during cooler parts of the day and bite best on fresh cut bait. What makes grouper special is their willingness to eat – they're not particularly line-shy, making them perfect for beginners to target and land successfully.
Blue Marlin represent the ultimate offshore prize, though encounters are never guaranteed. Peak season runs from March through July when these apex predators follow baitfish migrations through Dominican waters. Most fish range from 200-400 pounds, with true giants occasionally showing up. Even a smaller blue marlin will test every ounce of your strength and determination – they're known for spectacular jumps and blistering runs that can strip hundreds of yards of line in seconds. Captain Bolivar trolls large lures and rigged baits specifically to entice these magnificent fish.
Mahi Mahi are arguably the most fun fish to catch in these waters, combining beautiful colors, acrobatic fights, and cooperative feeding behavior. Also called dorado or dolphinfish, they typically weigh 10-25 pounds and travel in schools around floating debris or weed lines. Spring and summer months offer the best action when water temperatures climb above 78 degrees. What anglers love about mahi is their aggressiveness – they'll often hit trolled lures repeatedly, and when you find one, there are usually more nearby. Their iridescent gold and green colors make them stunning to see jumping clear of the water.
Great Barracuda are the wolves of the reef, patrolling shallow and mid-water areas looking for easy meals. These silvery missiles can reach 20-30 pounds in local waters and are known for explosive strikes followed by lightning-fast runs. They're particularly active around dawn and dusk, making them perfect targets for morning and afternoon fishing. Barracuda will hit both trolled lures and live baits, often providing multiple hookups when schools are located. Their impressive teeth and fierce appearance make them exciting photo opportunities for visiting anglers.
Yellowfin Tuna are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of reaching 40+ mph and diving to incredible depths when hooked. Local fish typically range from 20-60 pounds, with occasional larger specimens showing up during winter months. They're most active in deeper water beyond the 100-fathom curve, where Captain Bolivar trolls specific lure combinations at precise speeds. What makes yellowfin special is their incredible stamina – these fish can fight for 30+ minutes, testing both your endurance and the boat's tackle. Their sashimi-grade meat makes them highly prized among anglers who appreciate great table fare.
This beginner-friendly offshore fishing experience delivers everything you need for a successful introduction to deep sea fishing. Captain Bolivar's patient teaching style, combined with productive Punta Cana waters and quality equipment, creates the perfect environment for new anglers to build confidence and catch memorable fish. Whether you hook into a jumping mahi mahi or battle a stubborn grouper, you'll leave with practical fishing knowledge and stories worth sharing. The 4-person limit ensures personalized attention, and the 6-hour duration provides ample time to master basic techniques
Hit the deep blue waters of Punta Cana aboard the Contender 35', a solid 35-footer that's perfect for your first offshore fishing adventure. This recently restored motorboat runs smooth with its reliable Yamaha 300HP engine, getting you out to the fishing grounds comfortably. The flybridge gives you great visibility to spot birds and baitfish, while the onboard fish finder helps locate where the action is. With GPS navigation keeping you on course and basic amenities like a toilet, you'll stay comfortable during your 6-hour trip targeting Mahi Mahi, Barracuda, Wahoo, and Tuna. Captain Bolivar knows these Caribbean waters well and will teach you trolling and bottom fishing techniques as you go. All gear is included, and the crew handles the technical stuff so you can focus on learning and landing fish. Built for small groups of up to 4 anglers, this boat offers plenty of space to move around and fight fish without feeling cramped.
Makaira NigricansBlue Marlin are the ultimate offshore prize - these magnificent billfish patrol the deep blue waters beyond our continental shelf. Females can reach massive sizes over 400 pounds while males typically stay under 200. They cruise the warm currents hunting tuna and smaller pelagic fish, usually in water over 1,000 feet deep. Peak season runs March through August when the water temps climb above 80 degrees. What draws anglers back is the raw power and aerial display when hooked - nothing matches watching a marlin greyhound across the surface. The meat is decent but most folks release these beauties for conservation. We target them by trolling large baits and lures at 8-12 knots along temperature breaks and weed lines. Here's the key: when you get a bite, resist the urge to strike hard - let the fish eat and turn away before setting the hook.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat Barracuda are the ocean's ultimate opportunists - sleek, fast, and always hungry. These silver missiles average 2-4 feet but can stretch past 5 feet and hit 35 mph in short bursts. You'll find them prowling shallow reefs, grass flats, and drop-offs from 10-100 feet, often near structure where baitfish congregate. They're around year-round in these warm Caribbean waters, but spring brings the biggest specimens during spawning season. What makes them fun is the explosive strike and wild head-shaking fight, though they tire quickly. Most anglers target them for sport since the meat can carry ciguatera toxin. They'll hit just about anything that moves - trolled spoons, live bait, even bare hooks sometimes. Pro tip: use a wire leader and keep your fingers clear when landing one. Those razor teeth can do serious damage even on a tired fish, and they're known for one last desperate snap.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the perfect offshore target for beginners - colorful, aggressive, and absolutely delicious. These golden beauties average 15-30 pounds and put on quite a show with their bright blues and greens flashing underwater. They love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in the upper water column. Best action happens April through October when water temps hit their sweet spot. What guests love most is the acrobatic fight and that incredible color-changing light show once they're boated. The white, flaky meat rivals any restaurant fish - sweet and mild with zero fishy taste. We find them trolling along sargassum beds and debris lines in 100-1,000 feet of water. Secret weapon: when you hook one, don't boat it right away. Keep it in the water and troll around - mahi travel in schools and that hooked fish will often call in its buddies for multiple hookups.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are one of the most reliable bottom dwellers you'll find around Punta Cana's reefs and rocky structure. These rusty-red beauties typically run 5-10 pounds, though we've seen some real bulls pushing 30+ pounds. They hang out in 20-100 feet of water around ledges, wrecks, and coral heads where they ambush crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish. What makes them special is their incredible fight - once hooked, they'll dive straight for cover and test your drag system hard. The meat is absolutely top-shelf too, with a sweet, firm texture that's perfect for grilling. Year-round fishing is solid here, but spring and fall tend to produce the biggest fish. Pro tip: use heavy tackle and crank them up fast - give a big grouper time to think and it'll wrap you around the nearest piece of structure every time.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin Tuna are the workhorses of offshore fishing - powerful, fast, and incredible on the table. These torpedo-shaped fighters typically run 20-60 pounds around here, with their distinctive bright yellow fins and metallic blue backs. They cruise the open ocean in the top 100 feet, constantly on the move hunting baitfish. Peak season runs April through September when water temperatures climb into the 80s. What keeps guests coming back is the blistering runs and bulldogging fight, plus the premium sashimi-grade meat that rivals any restaurant. We target them trolling spreads of rigged ballyhoo and cedar plugs in 200+ feet of water along temperature breaks. When the trolling gets slow, we'll often switch to chunking with live bait to draw them up from the depths. The trick is keeping steady pressure - yellowfins are notorious for throwing hooks if you give them any slack during the fight.
Punta Cana