Captain
Michael Dawson

Member since September 2017 Holiday, United States
Background
Growing up in Tarpon Springs area, I grew up fishing the waters of the Tampa Bay area. The first fish I ever caught was a 32" Speckled Trout. Ever since then I have been hooked. My fishing career took off in high school when I started a fishing club at Tarpon Springs High School. I then went to USF Where I was the president of the USF fishing club and team. I have done work with TheOnlineFisherman and am the official guide of The Patriotic Angler Podcast.
Techniques
Fishing Changes everyday, This is why there is no preferred style of fishing. As a Captain I also pride myself in asking the client how they want to fish, what they want to target, what do they want to learn. When you book a trip with Patriotic Guide Service, the day is for you, not for us.

Hey, I'm Captain Michael Dawson

Holiday, United States
Background
Growing up in Tarpon Springs area, I grew up fishing the waters of the Tampa Bay area. The first fish I ever caught was a 32" Speckled Trout. Ever since then I have been hooked. My fishing career took off in high school when I started a fishing club at Tarpon Springs High School. I then went to USF Where I was the president of the USF fishing club and team. I have done work with TheOnlineFisherman and am the official guide of The Patriotic Angler Podcast.
Techniques
Fishing Changes everyday, This is why there is no preferred style of fishing. As a Captain I also pride myself in asking the client how they want to fish, what they want to target, what do they want to learn. When you book a trip with Patriotic Guide Service, the day is for you, not for us.

My Charter Listing

Excellent
5.0 / 5
(107 reviews)
Holiday
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $350

Fishing Reports

REDFISH BITE IS RED HOT!
REDFISH BITE IS RED HOT!
Sep 17, 2017 Holiday
Hurricane Irma did not effect the bite out there for us. On this 6-hour charter we caught fish until the family could not lift there arms any more. The morning starts off for myself as i launch the boat at 4am in search of bait. After filling both 40 gallon live wells with thousands of bait fish i return to the dock. Meeting the family of 4 at the dock at 8am, we ran through some introductions then were off. The first stop of the day was a shallow Rockpile in search of some tasty mangrove snapper and grouper. The first bat full of chum over the rocks was a great sign. Every bait we through over was immediately eaten by a predator fish. The first fish of the day was caught by young Ian, and it was the one fish he wanted to catch more than anything. A shark! A 4 foot Black tip to be precise. Soon after all the rods and the boat were going off. A list of species we caught on that single spot included: Mangrove snapper, Gag Grouper, Red grouper, Speckled Trout, Spanish Mackerel, Black Sea Bass, Flounder and sharks. And this was all before 10am! As i looked at my watch i knew the tide was high enough for our next spot. This fishing spot is located up in the Back country where you will not see any other boats, people, or signs of civilization. We pulled into this shallow spot and could see fish darting all around the spot before we even put down the power pole. This was going to be great! From that moment we caught Redfish every single cast!!! We fished in this area for 1.5 hours and in that short time we must have caught 50 Redfish! After the Redfish no one could lift their arms to bear catching another fish. So we started the next task of the day. Teaching 12 year old CJ how to catch bait like a pro. We headed out to my bait spot where Cj learned how to chum for bait as well as of the other types of bait available in our area. He did a great job catching bait. (Maybe i should hire him to be my first mate) We finished the day out by watching the dolphins play in the wake of the boat for a little bit, and then a few opportunities at a nice Snook. Unfortunately the Snook wouldn't cooperate, all of them breaking off or spitting the hook before they could come up for a nice picture. Tight Lines- Captain Michael Dawson Patriotic Guide Service
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 107 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (154)
Lots of fun
Lots of fun
Lots of fun
+151
Angler rating
105
2
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
98%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
99%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
93%
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Showing:
5 of 107 reviews
Frederick S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Big Sharks!!!

VERIFIED   Afternoon Shark Fishing on February 26, 2024
The trip was great!ย  Started with Captain Michael arriving 15 minutes early.ย  Communicated with us to let us know exactly...
Frederick S. recommends Patriotic Guide Service
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Frederick S. recommends Patriotic Guide Service
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Chad R.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Had a blast catching sharks!

VERIFIED   Afternoon Shark Fishing on December 23, 2023
Took my 3 kids, and Dad out for some afternoon shark fishing on 12/23/23. Mike was waiting and ready to roll. Turns out that...
Chad R. recommends Patriotic Guide Service
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Chad R. recommends Patriotic Guide Service
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Gregg P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

What a fun trip!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip - Inshore (AM) on December 12, 2023
My son and I booked a morning trip for inland river fishing due to high winds. Michael was a very knowledgeable guide that...
Gregg P. recommends Patriotic Guide Service
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Gregg P. recommends Patriotic Guide Service
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Thomas B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing trip in July

VERIFIED   2 Hour Trip - Beat The Heat on July 2, 2023
Thomas B. recommends Patriotic Guide Service
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Thomas B. recommends Patriotic Guide Service
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Grant S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Trip of lifetime!

VERIFIED   Afternoon Shark Fishing on December 30, 2023
Captain mike was amazing, very helpful and friendly. Great with my 3 kids aged 13, 9, and 6. Boat and equipment were great....
Grant S. recommends Patriotic Guide Service
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Grant S. recommends Patriotic Guide Service
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