First Shot Charters

Will luck shine on you in the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village?” Join First Shot Charters and come see for yourself. Captain Mike Dates, the owner and operator, has been fishing the area waters since childhood. A native of the Destin area, he’s been a USCG-licensed captain for over 16 years.

You’ll test your luck aboard the First Shot, a 20’ Cape Horn center console that can fit up to 4 passengers per trip. The First Shot crew primarily uses live bait, but they can accommodate fly and artificial fishermen as well.

All the equipment will be ready for you on board. The supplies necessary to clean the fish will be provided as well, along with a seasoned crew who are there to help along the way. As a matter of fact, they’ll also be happy to clean the catch for you following the trip.

If you don’t want to keep the fish, Capt. Mike is experienced in CPR fishing – “Catch, Photo, Release”. This way, you’ll ensure you do minimal harm to the fish you catch, which will then be safely released back into its natural habitat.

First Shot specializes in fishing the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico as well as the backcountry waters of the Choctawhatchee Bay. In the gulf, your targets would be King Mackerel, Cobia, Blackfin Tuna, Sharks, Red Snapper, Grouper, and Triggerfish, depending on the season. The bayside is teeming with Trout, Redfish, Black Snapper, Flounder, Ladyfish, and Bluefish.

From the first-time angler to the skilled professional, Capt. Mike will do his best to keep you on the fish and put a smile on your face. Join First Shot Charters and have your own slice of fishing heaven in Destin!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Viaje Privado
    3 Hour Trip – Kids Fun (PM)
    Cancelación GRATIS 3 días de aviso
    3 Horas de Viaje, Empieza 1:30 PM
    US $650
    This is just a fun trip with kids in mind. Take your kids out on the water and get them hooked on fishing!! We will teach them how to fish in a fun environment in the calm waters of Choctawhatchee Bay. (sometimes in the gulf if the waters are calm) This is mainly a catch and release trip but if we catch something you can eat I will filet it and you can take it home for dinner!!
  • Viaje Privado
    4 Hour Trip (AM)
    Cancelación GRATIS 3 días de aviso
    4 Horas de Viaje, Empieza 6:00 AM
    Viaje de temporada Oct 1 - May 15
    US $800
    Catch the early bite and spend the morning fishing the bay or the Gulf. In the bay, you'll get to target species such as Redfish, Trout, and Grouper. If you head out a bit further, you'll get to do some trolling for Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel, and more.
  • Viaje Privado
    4 Hour Trip (PM)
    Cancelación GRATIS 3 días de aviso
    4 Horas de Viaje, Empieza 1:30 PM
    US $800
    Get out on the Gulf on this afternoon trip. You'll set up some trolling lines, targeting exciting and delicious Kingfish. These prized species are famous all over the Gulf and you'll need to bring your A-game if you want to fill the boat, and your fridge on this 4-hour trip.
  • Viaje Privado
    3/4 Day Trip (AM)
    Cancelación GRATIS 3 días de aviso
    6 Horas de Viaje, Empieza 6:00 AM
    US $1,200
    You decide what you want to do. The beauty of a 6-hour trip is that it gives you the flexibility to decide what you want to do. You can head out into the Gulf and troll for King Mackerel, or stay in the nearshore waters and bottom fish the reefs and wrecks for beautiful, thrilling, and delicious Snappers, Groupers, Amberjacks, and many more.
  • Viaje Privado
    8 Hour Trip
    Cancelación GRATIS 3 días de aviso
    8 Horas de Viaje, Empieza 6:00 AM
    US $1,600
    Any serious angler will just love spending a full day on the water. With this 8-hour trip, you'll get to experience the best that Destin has to offer. Troll for game fish in the deeper waters, or bottom fish the reefs and wrecks for a range of delicious and exciting fish. From Kingfish to Snappers, Groupers and Amberjacks – these waters have it all. Beginners are welcome too, with the captain at hand to help anyone land their first catch.
Hay 12 personas mirando este charter.

FAQs about First Shot Charters

First Shot Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $650 per group - 3 Hour Trip – Kids Fun (PM) (3 hours)
  • US $800 per group - 4 Hour Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $800 per group - 4 Hour Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $1,200 per group - 3/4 Day Trip (AM) (6 hours)
  • US $1,600 per group - 8 Hour Trip (8 hours)

When you book a trip with First Shot Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Localizador de peces Sidescan and structure scan
  • Flybridge
  • Vivero para la carnada

Trips booked with First Shot Charters include:
  • Cañas, carretes y equipo
  • Carnada Viva
  • Señuelos
  • Limpieza y Fileteado
  • Licencia de Pesca

First Shot Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Pesca de Orilla
  • Pesca Cerca de la Costa
  • Pesca en Alta Mar (9 miles)
  • Pesca en Arrecife
  • Pesca de Naufragio
  • Pesca en Aguas Poco Profundas
  • Pesca Backcountry

First Shot Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Equipo Ligero
  • Equipo Pesado
  • Pesca de Fondo/ Bottom Fishing
  • Troleo
  • Spinning
  • Pesca con Mosca
  • Drift Fishing
  • Pesca de Mar Profundo

Top targeted fish species with First Shot Charters include:
  • Amberjack
  • Cobia
  • Grouper (Black)
  • Grouper (Gag)
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Redfish
  • Sailfish
  • Sheepshead
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Tarpon
  • Triggerfish (Gray)

Sobre el Captain

Mike Dates
Destin, Florida, Estados Unidos
181 Opiniones de los clientes
Tiempo de respuesta 1 hora
Miembro desde Septiembre 2014
Mike has been a USCG-licensed Captain since 2002, but he's fished the waters of Destin since 1969. A true native to the area and he just can't get enough of the beautiful village and her incredible fishery. He will work tirelessly to put you on the fish, and employ his wealth of knowledge and experience on every trip he runs. On a personal note, I love this business because I get to meet some really great people everyday and I feel relaxed and at home on the water. Start out as a client, end the trip as a friend.

Sobre este listado

Especies de Interés

Amberjack Amberjack
Cobia Cobia
Grouper (Black) Black Grouper
Grouper (Gag) Gag Grouper

Especificaciones del barco

Cape Horn (Center console) construido en 2000, y restaurado en 2016. Impulsado por 225HP Yamaha motor, con una velocidad máxima de crucero de 35 nudos.

Longitud
20 ft
Capacidad
4 personas

Tipos de Pesca

Pesca de Orilla
Pesca Cerca de la Costa
Pesca en Alta Mar
9 miles
Pesca en Arrecife
Pesca de Naufragio
Pesca en Aguas Poco Profundas
Pesca Backcountry

Técnicas de Pesca

Equipo Ligero
Equipo Pesado
Pesca de Fondo/ Bottom Fishing
Troleo
Spinning
Pesca con Mosca
Drift Fishing
Pesca de Mar Profundo

Servicios

GPS
Localizador de peces
Sidescan and structure scan
Flybridge
Vivero para la carnada

El Viaje Incluye

Cañas, carretes y equipo
Carnada Viva
Señuelos
Limpieza y Fileteado
Licencia de Pesca

Política de Cancelación

Cancelación gratis hasta 3 días antes del viaje

Los clientes pueden cancelar o modificar su reserva hasta 3 días antes de la fecha del viaje sin cargo. Si el viaje se cancela o modifica después, o en caso de no presentarse, se cobrará el 100% del depósito.

Políticas

Traslado no incluído
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Se permiten niños
Te quedas con la pesca
Se permite captura y liberación

Pago

Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

Cuando el capitán confirme tu viaje, FishingBooker cargará a su tarjeta de crédito un depósito del 20% para garantizar la reserva.

El saldo restante se pagará directamente al operador del charter en la fecha del viaje o antes en uno de los siguientes métodos de pago:

Efectivo
Visa
Mastercard
Cheques
Al pagar el saldo restante con tarjeta de crédito, habrá un cargo adicional del 5%

Destin Calendario de Pesca

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Opiniones de los clientes

Calificación general
Excellent
4.9 / 5
de 5 estrellas de 181 reseñas
Barco
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Tripulación
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experiencia
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Fotos de clientes (205)
We were on the fish!
We were on the fish!
We were on the fish!
+202
Calificación del pescador
170
9
1
0
0
Opinión de los pescadores
Buena experiencia
96%
Capitán amigable
100%
Recomienda este charter
98%
Apto para niños
96%
Satisfecho con el barco
98%
Atrapé lo que quería
90%
Ordenar por:
Destacados  
Mostrando:
5 de 181 reseñas
Rachel M.
Woodland Hills, KY
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experiencia:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Barco
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Tripulación
Excellent
5.0 / 5
En general

Captain Mike

VERIFICADO   4 Hour Trip (PM) on Agosto 14, 2023
My fiancé and I have done charters in Oregon and multiple in Hawaii and never have we had so much fun and caught so many fish!...
Rachel M. recomienda First Shot Charters
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Brant B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experiencia:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Barco
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Tripulación
Excellent
5.0 / 5
En general

Arm workout

VERIFICADO   4 Hour Trip (AM) on Febrero 27, 2024
First time on a charter in Florida.  Capt Mike was quick to orient us and put us on fish. By the end of our time we were racing...
Brant B. recomienda First Shot Charters
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Khoa N.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experiencia:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Barco
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Tripulación
Excellent
5.0 / 5
En general

Fishing with Mike

VERIFICADO   3/4 Day Trip (AM) on Julio 15, 2023
Khoa N. recomienda First Shot Charters
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Ricky O.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experiencia:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Barco
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Tripulación
Excellent
5.0 / 5
En general

We were on the fish!

VERIFICADO   NUEVO  4 Hour Trip (AM) on Marzo 28, 2024
Capt Mike was outfishing the other boats! We were in the thick of the fish, so that meant constant action. 40 fish in less...
Ricky O. recomienda First Shot Charters
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Jaimie S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experiencia:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Barco
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Tripulación
Excellent
5.0 / 5
En general

Holy Mackerel!

VERIFICADO   NUEVO  4 Hour Trip (PM) on Marzo 27, 2024
Great day of fishing! Captain Mike was entertaining and made sure we caught lots of fish. It was a great day to celebrate my...
Jaimie S. recomienda First Shot Charters
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