First Shot Charters is your best source to score big in the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”. Destin, Florida is a fisherman’s paradise. With white sand beaches and the emerald green waters teeming with life, it’s no wonder anglers from all over the globe visit to fish this popular fishing hotspot.

Captain Mike Dates will be manning the helm as you venture out on these gorgeous waters in search of your trophy catch. A native to the local area, Capt. Mike has been fishing Destin since 1969 and has been USCG-licensed since 2002. Capt. Mike will use the knowledge and experience he has gained over the years to make sure your trip with him is as successful as possible.

Your trip with Capt. Mike will cover the Destin area and could end up searching the fishing grounds of Fort Walton Beach, Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Island, Okaloosa Island, Santa Rosa Beach, Choctaw Beach, and many other wonderful locations along Florida’s emerald coast in the Gulf of Mexico.

Your Destin fishing adventure will take place aboard Capt. Mike’s 20’ Cape Horn center console that can fit up to 4 passengers. She has all the necessary safety and navigational equipment and feat...

First Shot Charters is your best source to score big in the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”. Destin, Florida is a fisherman’s paradise. With white sand beaches and the emerald green waters teeming with life, it’s no wonder anglers from all over the globe visit to fish this popular fishing hotspot.

Captain Mike Dates will be manning the helm as you venture out on these gorgeous waters in search of your trophy catch. A native to the local area, Capt. Mike has been fishing Destin since 1969 and has been USCG-licensed since 2002. Capt. Mike will use the knowledge and experience he has gained over the years to make sure your trip with him is as successful as possible.

Your trip with Capt. Mike will cover the Destin area and could end up searching the fishing grounds of Fort Walton Beach, Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Island, Okaloosa Island, Santa Rosa Beach, Choctaw Beach, and many other wonderful locations along Florida’s emerald coast in the Gulf of Mexico.

Your Destin fishing adventure will take place aboard Capt. Mike’s 20’ Cape Horn center console that can fit up to 4 passengers. She has all the necessary safety and navigational equipment and features a livewell for keeping your bait and catches fresh.

We offer 4-8 hour trips that let you decide what you want to do. You can go offshore in search of big game or see what the backcountry and flats have to offer. We will provide you with rods, reels, tackle, bait, and a fishing license. We will clean each catch at the end of your trip so you can enjoy as a meal later on. If you don’t want to keep the fish, Captain 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, Triggerfish, and much more depending on the season. The bay side is teeming with Trout, Redfish, Black Snapper, Flounder, Ladyfish and Bluefish.

First Shot Charters is a perfect fit for first-time anglers and skilled professionals alike. Captain Mike Dates will make it his personal goal to put his passengers on the fish and see them catching them with smiles on their face. Book a trip with us today to create memories that will last a lifetime!