First Shot Charters 

4.9/5 (214 reviews)
 538 Harbor Boulevard, Destin, FL 32541, United States

First Shot Charters 

4.9/5 (214 reviews)
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538 Harbor Boulevard
Destin, FL, United States
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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 since 2001.

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!

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 since 2001.

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!

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Rating

4.9
214 reviews
4.9
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (247)

What anglers say

97%
Great experience
96%
Family friendly
100%
Friendly captain
99%
Good boat
99%
Recommended
92%
Caught fish

All reviews (214)

Filter
Showing 15 of 214 reviews
William Stiers
William Stiers
us
Washington D.C., US
Member since 2026
0
5.0
Verified
Great Experience!
4 Hour Trip (PM) on March 31, 20262 adults
We had an amazing time on our fishing charter! There were four of us, and everyone had a great experience from start to finish. The Captain was friendly, helpful, and clearly knew all the best spots—we were reeling in fish all day. We ended up catching a cooler full of fish which was icing on the cake. Everything was well-organized, and the atmosphere was relaxed and fun. Highly recommend this charter to anyone looking for a successful and enjoyable day on the water!
Reported catch:
Spanish Mackerel
Jeremy Koons
Jeremy Koons
us
Indiana, US
Member since 2025
0
5.0
Verified
Black Snapper
6 Hour Trip (AM) on June 25, 20254 adults
Captain Mike was awesome, he put us on baitfish early in the morning caught a big black snapper while trolling another while drop fishing and a king mackrel and missed about four more caught several bonitas which fight really good and fun to catch. We even hooked about a 9’ bull shark that we fought for a good hour before it cut our line, but we did get him to the top of the water to get to see him. Awesome day. Captain Mike was very knowledgeable knew where to go and was a down to earth fun guy to be around. Thanks for the great memories captain Mike. Look forward to doing it again in the future.
Reported catch:
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Drake Duffy
Drake Duffy
us
Atlanta, GA, US
Member since 2025
0
5.0
Verified
This is the Charter to use!!!! Captain Mike is the best!
5 Hour Trip (PM) on November 25, 20252 adults1 child
First Shot Charters is the Best! Captain Mike is a Master of his Craft. Going out for our First time on his 20ft boat was the perfect fit for me and my 2 sons. Captain Mike Skillfully navigated the waters, reading his Lowrance (FishFinder) screens like Neo from the Matrix. He landed us in great spots for an overall amazing fishing experience. He plays great music and answers any questions with an educational stance. We learned a lot and had the best time. First Shot Charters is the Way to go. Thanks Captain Mike!!!
Reported catch:
Spanish Mackerel
Redfish
Jamie Swenson
Jamie Swenson
us
Minnesota, US
Member since 2026
0
5.0
Verified
Holy Mackerel
4 Hour Trip (PM) on April 6, 20261 adult1 child
Made some adjustments due to less than ideal weather and wnded up with plenty of fish. Me any my son had a great experience and would recommend Captain Mike to anyone.
Response from Captain
April 7, 2026
Thanks Jamie!! I had a great time!!
Gary Glick
Gary Glick
us
Texas, US
Member since 2025
1
4.7
Verified
Our new captain
8 Hour Trip on July 9, 20254 adults
We had used the same Captain for 10 previous years but he retired and sold his boat. The new people rate see the price and essentially priced us out. We found captain Mike Dates and fished with him in July, 2025. We had a blast, he worked hard and put us on fish. We caught an assortment of fish from Snapper to Grouper to Amberjack. Two of us even fought 2 Bull sharks for an hour each. Highly recommend and we will fish with him again.

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
June 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
2 Hour Kids Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
2 hour trip starts at 1:30 PM
US $450
Entire boat: up to 4 people
3 Hour Trip – Kids Fun (PM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
3 hour trip starts at 1:30 PM
US $650
Entire boat: up to 4 people
4 Hour Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Oct 1 - May 15
US $800
Entire boat: up to 4 people
4 Hour Trip (PM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 1:30 PM
US $800
Entire boat: up to 4 people
5 Hour Trip (PM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
5 hour trip starts at 1:30 PM
US $1,000
Entire boat: up to 4 people
6 Hour Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 6:00 AM
US $1,200
Entire boat: up to 4 people
8 Hour Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 6:00 AM
US $1,600
Entire boat: up to 4 people
There are 13 people looking at this charter.

Rating

4.9
214 reviews
4.9
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (247)

What anglers say

97%
Great experience
96%
Family friendly
100%
Friendly captain
99%
Good boat
99%
Recommended
92%
Caught fish

All reviews (214)

Filter
Showing 15 of 214 reviews
William Stiers
William Stiers
us
Washington D.C., US
Member since 2026
0
5.0
Verified
Great Experience!
4 Hour Trip (PM) on March 31, 20262 adults
We had an amazing time on our fishing charter! There were four of us, and everyone had a great experience from start to finish. The Captain was friendly, helpful, and clearly knew all the best spots—we were reeling in fish all day. We ended up catching a cooler full of fish which was icing on the cake. Everything was well-organized, and the atmosphere was relaxed and fun. Highly recommend this charter to anyone looking for a successful and enjoyable day on the water!
Reported catch:
Spanish Mackerel
Jeremy Koons
Jeremy Koons
us
Indiana, US
Member since 2025
0
5.0
Verified
Black Snapper
6 Hour Trip (AM) on June 25, 20254 adults
Captain Mike was awesome, he put us on baitfish early in the morning caught a big black snapper while trolling another while drop fishing and a king mackrel and missed about four more caught several bonitas which fight really good and fun to catch. We even hooked about a 9’ bull shark that we fought for a good hour before it cut our line, but we did get him to the top of the water to get to see him. Awesome day. Captain Mike was very knowledgeable knew where to go and was a down to earth fun guy to be around. Thanks for the great memories captain Mike. Look forward to doing it again in the future.
Reported catch:
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Drake Duffy
Drake Duffy
us
Atlanta, GA, US
Member since 2025
0
5.0
Verified
This is the Charter to use!!!! Captain Mike is the best!
5 Hour Trip (PM) on November 25, 20252 adults1 child
First Shot Charters is the Best! Captain Mike is a Master of his Craft. Going out for our First time on his 20ft boat was the perfect fit for me and my 2 sons. Captain Mike Skillfully navigated the waters, reading his Lowrance (FishFinder) screens like Neo from the Matrix. He landed us in great spots for an overall amazing fishing experience. He plays great music and answers any questions with an educational stance. We learned a lot and had the best time. First Shot Charters is the Way to go. Thanks Captain Mike!!!
Reported catch:
Spanish Mackerel
Redfish
Jamie Swenson
Jamie Swenson
us
Minnesota, US
Member since 2026
0
5.0
Verified
Holy Mackerel
4 Hour Trip (PM) on April 6, 20261 adult1 child
Made some adjustments due to less than ideal weather and wnded up with plenty of fish. Me any my son had a great experience and would recommend Captain Mike to anyone.
Response from Captain
April 7, 2026
Thanks Jamie!! I had a great time!!
Gary Glick
Gary Glick
us
Texas, US
Member since 2025
1
4.7
Verified
Our new captain
8 Hour Trip on July 9, 20254 adults
We had used the same Captain for 10 previous years but he retired and sold his boat. The new people rate see the price and essentially priced us out. We found captain Mike Dates and fished with him in July, 2025. We had a blast, he worked hard and put us on fish. We caught an assortment of fish from Snapper to Grouper to Amberjack. Two of us even fought 2 Bull sharks for an hour each. Highly recommend and we will fish with him again.

FAQs about First Shot Charters

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
4 persons
Boat length
20 ft
Year built
2000
Restored in
2016
Boat manufacturer
Cape Horn
Boat type
Center console
Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
1 x 225HP
Max cruising speed
35 knots
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