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
328
Reviews
Verified

My Charter Listings

1st Choice Charters โ€“ Destin

Federally permitted
Excellent
4.8 / 5
(294 reviews)
Angler's choice
Destin
 Last booking: 3 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 328 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (249)
Fishing with Blake
Fishing with Blake
Fishing with Blake
+246
Angler rating
280
30
8
5
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
95%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
95%
Appropriate for children
93%
Satisfied with the boat
96%
Caught fish
86%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 328 reviews
Brandon M.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

1st Choice Charters

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“ Offshore Summer on June 26, 2025
Guys weโ€™re great out my family on fish so we could have a great day of fishing. Would absolutely recommend a 6hr trip.
Brandon M. recommends 1st Choice Charters โ€“ Destin
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Josh B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

July fishing trip

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Offshore Fishing (AM) on July 4, 2025
Josh B. recommends 1st Choice Charters โ€“ Destin
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Bree A.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Payton

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Offshore Fishing (PM) on June 23, 2025
Bree A. recommends 1st Choice Charters โ€“ Destin
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Gerardo V.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fun time

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Offshore Fishing (PM) on August 27, 2024
Booked an afternoon near shore fishing trip for my dadโ€™s 80th. It was a short trip (4hrs). Fishing was slow (not the captainโ€™s...
Gerardo V. 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
Gerardo V. 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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Joshua B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fantastic!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Offshore Fishing (PM) on July 31, 2024
Went on a 4 hour trip with Capt Dustin.ย  Very personable and energetic Capt.ย  Always kept us updated on weather and fishing...
Joshua B. 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
  1st Choice Charters (Formerly Southern Country Charters) Charter Operator replied
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