Dawn Patrol Charters
+164Dawn Patrol Charters invites you to explore offshore, back bay, and inshore Gulf fishing in the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.” For Captain JT and his team, everything swimming around Destin is fair game. Join the crew for a fun and productive day with your family and friends.
Whether it’s a trip to the Choctawhatchee Bay for Redfish, Speckled Trout, Sheepshead, Flounder, and Pompano, or an excursion to the prolific Gulf waters for the likes of Grouper, Amberjack, King Mackerel, Red Snapper, Cobia, and Tarpon, Dawn Patrol Charters has it all.
Bay fishing is a great year-round opportunity to enjoy live bait and light tackle action. There are plenty of grass flats, jetties, bridges, pocks, points, and drop-offs to be explored. Plus, you may also catch Ladyfish, Bluefish, Black Snapper, and many more!
If you’re after a trip to the Gulf, then just let your captain know. You will be bottom fishing for various species of Snapper and Grouper, as well as Amberjack, Flounder, Triggerfish, and who knows what else. Or go trolling for Wahoo, Mahi Mahi-Mahi, Cobia, Bonito, Spanish and King Mackerel, and Jack Crevalle. These trips can be organized anytime from April until November.
Dawn Patrol will take you out aboard a 22’ Cape Horn center console. This spacious boat can accommodate up to six anglers. It comes powered by a single 250 HP Yamaha 4-stroke and can cruise at a top speed of 35 knots. The boat features a dual helm and a Cobia Tower - key features of any sight fishing trip.
The vessel is outfitted with top-notch navigational and fish finding electronics to save your time while searching for fish. As well as that, there is a 30-gallon live well loaded with all kinds of bait to make your hooks irresistible. Depending on which trip you chose, you will use cigar minnows, herrings, redefines, and speedos.
All trips come with the licenses, bait, fly fishing equipment, and quality spinning rods and reels mainly by Penn International.
Captain
John Tenore
Most popular features:
Trip availability and prices
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (413)
+410Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
95%
Appropriate for children
96%
Friendly captain
99%
Satisfied with the boat
98%
Recommend this charter
96%
Caught fish
91%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Good Trip With Dawn Patrol
4 Hour Trip (AM) on June 8, 2025
Booked an AM trip with Dawn Patrol for my three boys. It was our first time out fishing on the Gulf. Everything went smoothly from booking to cleaning the fish. The weather was not in our favor. We had high winds and choppy waters (2-4 foot swells). It was not for the faint of heart, but Captain didn’t give up. If things were slow in our spot, we would move on until we got hits. Due to the weather, we had to head back to the Bay. We weren’t able to hit the red snappers, but we scored a bunch of Spanish Mackerel. Overall, the kids had a good time and the trip was a success.
Booked an AM trip with Dawn Patrol for my three boys. It was our first time out fishing on the Gulf. Everything went smoothly from booking to cleaning the fish. The weather was not in our favor. We had high winds and choppy waters (2-4 foot swells). It was not for the faint of heart, but Captain didn’t give up. If things were slow in our spot, we would move on until we got hits. Due to the weather, we had to head back to the Bay. We weren’t able to hit the red snappers, but we scored a bunch...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
A++ First Trip for my Three Year Old
2 Hour Trip – Kids/Beginners Fun on April 29, 2025
Couldn’t have asked for a better captain and boat for my little guy’s first trip. Captain JT had a well thought out plan to get us on some bait fish for guaranteed fun bringing in multiples, and then go after some bigger fish trolling. The boat has high sides that tremendously helped Dad contain the ever excited boy looking for catfish and dolphins over the edge, and he didn’t mind the small hands on the steering wheel helping him captain the ship. Unforgettable trip, thanks again. Highly recommend.
Couldn’t have asked for a better captain and boat for my little guy’s first trip. Captain JT had a well thought out plan to get us on some bait fish for guaranteed fun bringing in multiples, and then go after some bigger fish trolling. The boat has high sides that tremendously helped Dad contain the ever excited boy looking for catfish and dolphins over the edge, and he didn’t mind the small hands on the steering wheel helping him captain the ship. Unforgettable trip, thanks again. Highly recommend....
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
The best experience!!
3 Hour Trip - Kids Fun (5 MAX) on April 14, 2025
This was our first ever chartered fishing trip and Captain JT is the best! We had an amazing time..me, my son, and his friend. The dolphins were awesome just as much as the fishing! They are already talking about our next trip with Captain JT and I can’t wait. Professional, knowledgeable, and so down to earth! Thank you for the best time! The fishing was great and we will definitely be back for more!
This was our first ever chartered fishing trip and Captain JT is the best! We had an amazing time..me, my son, and his friend. The dolphins were awesome just as much as the fishing! They are already talking about our next trip with Captain JT and I can’t wait. Professional, knowledgeable, and so down to earth! Thank you for the best time! The fishing was great and we will definitely be back for more!
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Great experience
3 Hour Trip - Kids Fun (5 MAX) on December 30, 2024
First time to do anything like this for my kids (12 & 14). Captain JT did a great job of explaining to them what to do and was patient with them when they didn't consistently follow instructions. The kids reviewed the outing as "awesome" when we asked them their thoughts, which isn't the kind of word they use to describe most of the activities us parents come up with, so I'd say this was definitely a hit.
First time to do anything like this for my kids (12 & 14). Captain JT did a great job of explaining to them what to do and was patient with them when they didn't consistently follow instructions. The kids reviewed the outing as "awesome" when we asked them their thoughts, which isn't the kind of word they use to describe most of the activities us parents come up with, so I'd say this was definitely a hit.
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Amazing first trip out!
4 Hour Trip (AM) on May 23, 2025
Captain John was an amazing choice for our first time out with a fishing guide! He was super knowledgeable, very personable and we caught some fish! We will definitely be doing this again and will most definitely choose Captain John a second time.
Captain John was an amazing choice for our first time out with a fishing guide! He was super knowledgeable, very personable and we caught some fish! We will definitely be doing this again and will most definitely choose Captain John a second time.
FAQs about Dawn Patrol Charters
What are the trip rates for Dawn Patrol Charters?
Dawn Patrol Charters offers the following trips to customers:
- US $500 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - 2 Hour Trip – Kids/Beginners Fun (2 hours)
- US $680 per group, additional US $100 per person after 4 guests - 3 Hour Trip - Kids Fun (5 MAX) (3 hours)
- US $880 per group, additional US $100 per person after 4 guests - 4 Hour Trip (AM) (4 hours)
- US $880 per group, additional US $100 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip PM (5 MAX) (4 hours)
- US $1,000 per group - Tarpon Fishing (5 hours)
- US $1,100 per group, additional US $100 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip – Extended AM (5 MAX) (5 hours)
- US $1,100 per group, additional US $100 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip – Extended PM (5 MAX) (5 hours)
- US $1,350 per group, additional US $100 per person after 4 guests - 3/4 Day Trip (5 MAX) (6 hours)
- US $1,700 per group, additional US $100 per person after 4 guests - Full Day Trip (5 MAX) (8 hours)
Which amenities are available onboard with Dawn Patrol Charters?
When you book a trip with Dawn Patrol Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
- GPS
- Fishfinder
- Flybridge
- Live Bait Well
- Ice Box
- Sonar
What's included in the trip price with Dawn Patrol Charters?
Trips booked with Dawn Patrol Charters include:
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Lures
- Catch cleaning & filleting
- Fishing License
What types of fishing does Dawn Patrol Charters offer?
Dawn Patrol Charters offers the following types of fishing:
- Inshore Fishing
- Nearshore Fishing
- Reef Fishing
- Flats Fishing
- Backcountry Fishing
What fishing techniques does Dawn Patrol Charters offer?
Dawn Patrol Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
- Light Tackle
- Bottom Fishing
- Trolling
- Spinning
- Fly Fishing
- Deep Sea Fishing
Which fish species can I catch with Dawn Patrol Charters?
Top targeted fish species with Dawn Patrol Charters include:
- Amberjack
- Cobia
- Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
- Flounder
- Grouper (Gag)
- King Mackerel (Kingfish)
- Redfish
- Shark (Thresher)
- Snapper (Mangrove)
- Snapper (Red)
- Spotted Seatrout
- Tarpon
Your captain
Destin, Florida, United States
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
Captain John “JT” Tenore was born and raised in North Carolina. JT was first introduced to fishing by his father and was fishing along the coastline at a very early age. In the 1980’s, JT moved to Destin and started fishing the local piers. And the rest is history!
The fish you can target
What is the boat like?
What kind of fishing will you do?
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing
Which fishing techniques you can try
Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Fly Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing
Which amenities are available onboard
GPS
Fishfinder
Flybridge
Live Bait Well
Ice Box
Sonar
What’s included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Fishing License
How cancellations work
Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.
What the listing policies are
Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed
How you can pay
Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:
Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 4% charge will apply.
What’s biting in Destin right now
Amberjack
Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Flounder
Grouper (Gag)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Redfish
Snapper (Red)
Spotted Seatrout
Tarpon