First Mate Academy

09/16/2026

Thank you FWC Officer George Hughes!

What a wealth of knowledge and educational opportunity for our students!
….and to learn it from our biggest ally, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)! MyFWC Florida Fish & Wildlife

Our students (and instructors) had great questions and were given even better answers from Officer Hughes! We are lucky to have him in our community.

Thank you to Officer Hughes and to all FWC Officers who work tirelessly for keeping EVERYTHING in our environment safe & protected…especially us humans❣️

If you have a young angler or mariner interested in advancing their skills, we’d love to have you!

Contact founder, Captain Andy Benedict with questions:
[email protected]
(727) 338-4857

PROGRAMMING (ages 5+)
-Mighty Mates (ages 5-7)
-“Academy” (ages 8-14)
*Advanced Training (experience & age based)
-Advanced First Mate Training
-Captains Apprenticeship Program & Training (CAPT)

*Homeschool Program (Step Up Direct Provider)
*Evening/Afterschool Program

DETAILS: www.FirstMateAcademy.com

Join us for a one-of-a-kind learning experience at FIRST MATE ACADEMY!⚓️🎣



Yamaha Outboards YamahaMotorUSA Speckled Trout Marina 𝙿𝚊𝚕𝚖 𝙷𝚊𝚛𝚋𝚘𝚛 𝙿𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚁𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 Step Up For Students

09/13/2026

Lines are tight at FIRST MATE ACADEMY!🎣⚓️

Fishing charters available!

Details:
www.FirstMateAcademy.com

Contact founder Captain Andy Benedict with questions:
[email protected]
(727) 338-4857

ACADEMY PROGRAMMING (ages 5+)
-Mighty Mates (ages 5-7)
-“Academy” (ages 8-14)
*Advanced Training (experience & age based)
-Advanced First Mate Training
-Captains Apprenticeship Program & Training (CAPT)

*Homeschool Program (Step Up Direct Provider)
*Evening/Afterschool Program

DETAILS: www.FirstMateAcademy.com

Join us for a one-of-a-kind learning experience at FIRST MATE ACADEMY!⚓️🎣

Yamaha Outboards Yamaha Motor Speckled Trout Marina FIRST MATE ACADEMY

Send a message to learn more

09/11/2026

Watching these students’ determination and desire to learn is truly impressive!⚓️🎣👏

Registrations for the next 5-week session are coming in quickly. If you have a young angler or mariner interested in advancing their skills, we’d love to have you!

Contact founder, Captain Andy Benedict with questions:
[email protected]
(727) 338-4857

PROGRAMMING (ages 5+)
-Mighty Mates (ages 5-7)
-“Academy” (ages 8-14)
*Advanced Training (experience & age based)
-Advanced First Mate Training
-Captains Apprenticeship Program & Training (CAPT)

*Homeschool Program (Step Up Direct Provider)
*Evening/Afterschool Program

DETAILS: www.FirstMateAcademy.com

Join us for a one-of-a-kind learning experience at FIRST MATE ACADEMY!⚓️🎣

Yamaha Outboards Yamaha Motor Speckled Trout Marina Palm Harbor Parks and Recreation

09/11/2026

First time trolling for grouper with deep diving lures! Was pretty awesome….needless to say!🎣

Thank you Mike for teaching me your ways and having me on your quick trip. What an awesome outing!🎣

09/02/2026

Our Homeschool ACADEMY group is taking care of business!…and somehow still having tons to of fun!!😁⚓️🎣

PROGRAMMING (ages 5+)
-Mighty Mates (ages 5-7)
-“Academy” (ages 8-14)
*ADVANCED TRAINING (experience & age based):
-Advanced First Mate Training
-Captains Apprenticeship Program & Training (CAPT)

*Homeschool Program (Step Up Direct Provider)
*Evening/Afterschool Program

DETAILS: www.FirstMateAcademy.com

Join us for a one-of-a-kind learning experience at FIRST MATE ACADEMY!⚓️🎣

Contact founder Captain Andy Benedict directly with any questions!
EMAIL:
[email protected]
PHONE: 727-338-4857

Yamaha Motor Yamaha Outboards Speckled Trout Marina Palm Harbor Parks and Recreation First Mate Academy

08/31/2026

Where did the summer go??!! WHAT A BLAST!🎣⚓️

*Join us and make new memories in our School Year ACADEMY sessions!

DETAILS: www.FirstMateAcademy.com

Keep an eye out for the 2026/2027 seasonal program/camp schedule!

Contact founder Captain Andy Benedict directly with any questions!
EMAIL:
[email protected]
PHONE: 727-338-4857

Yamaha Motor Yamaha Outboards Speckled Trout Marina Palm Harbor Parks and Recreation Step Up For Students

Coastal Native Fishing Charters K Team Fishing Charters CaptKenny Brush Captain Andy Benedict First Mate Academy FIRST MATE ACADEMY

08/26/2026