Charter Operator
1st Choice Charters (Formerly Southern Country Charters)

Member since September 2020 Destin, United States
Background
The professional captains and crew with 1st Choice Charters are proud to continue the legacy built by Southern Country Charters in Destin, FL. Now owned and operated by Blake Maddox, the team is led on the water by Capt. Magnum Owens — a seasoned local captain dedicated to putting you on fish and making every trip memorable. Whether you’re a first-timer or a pro angler, there’s a place on the boat for you.

Hey, we're 1st Choice Charters (Formerly Southern Country Charters)

Destin, United States
Background
The professional captains and crew with 1st Choice Charters are proud to continue the legacy built by Southern Country Charters in Destin, FL. Now owned and operated by Blake Maddox, the team is led on the water by Capt. Magnum Owens — a seasoned local captain dedicated to putting you on fish and making every trip memorable. Whether you’re a first-timer or a pro angler, there’s a place on the boat for you.
Anglers Choice
336
Reviews
Verified

My Charter Listings

1st Choice Charters โ€“ Destin

Federally permitted
Excellent
4.8 / 5
(302 reviews)
Angler's choice
Destin
 Last booking: 2 days ago
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $700

1st choice charters 24โ€™

State licensed
Excellent
4.7 / 5
(34 reviews)
Angler's choice
Destin
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $700

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 336 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (252)
Great trip
Great trip
Best captain in the southern hemisphere
+249
Angler rating
288
30
8
5
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
95%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
95%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
96%
Caught fish
87%
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Showing:
5 of 336 reviews
Bonnie H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Blake

VERIFIED   NEW  4 Hour Trip โ€“ Offshore Fishing (PM) on October 11, 2025
Our captain Magnum was the best, great personality and of course got us on the fish
Bonnie H. recommends 1st Choice Charters โ€“ Destin
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Bradley J.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great time

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Offshore Fishing (AM) on July 29, 2025
The crew and captain did a great job. Put us on fish if we werenโ€™t catching they moves promptly. We took an 8-year-old and...
Bradley J. recommends 1st Choice Charters โ€“ Destin
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You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Bradley J. recommends 1st Choice Charters โ€“ Destin
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You and 1 other person found this review helpful
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Jeff G.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fantastic People

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Offshore Fishing (PM) on July 16, 2025
The effort this Captain and crew went through to try to get us out on a horribly bad weather day, is just unbelievable. Will...
Jeff G. recommends 1st Choice Charters โ€“ Destin
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Mark S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Lots of fun! Lots of big fish!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Offshore Fishing (AM) on July 14, 2025
Captain and young first mate were fun, patient, helpful, and knowledgeable.ย  We caught several red snapper, a mahi mahi...
Mark S. recommends 1st Choice Charters โ€“ Destin
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
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Maciej B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Thank you!!!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Offshore Fishing (AM) on July 6, 2025
We had a great time fishing, Capital Magnum did an excellent job guiding us on to a fish. We got plenty of bits and pulled...
Maciej B. recommends 1st Choice Charters โ€“ Destin
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