Things to Do in Englewood

Oasis Yacht Club and Boat Rentals employs friendly staffers who contribute to their community by getting friends, neighbors, and tourists to explore the local waterways via pontoons, kayaks, and fishing charters. The staff can accommodate almost any request, such as customizing cruises to stop along the beach for some shelling. All their charter vessels boast stereos with CD players, and upon request, the crew can load up the boat with refreshments, sunblock, and whale repellent. Oasis Yacht Club also replaces their boats once every year and a half to ensure their equipment is in top shape. On fishing trips, they rent out rods and reels and teach guests basic fishing and boating skills while dishing out information on secluded fishing spots. At the onsite ship store, boaters can stock up on hats, tackle, and gear to prepare for any tours or voyages.

Reel Kind Fishing charters boats on which adventurers explore backwater wetlands, protected freshwater, and saltwater regions that are home to diverse marine life. Along with licensed and experienced captains, the company supplies rods, reels, tackle, and bait, ensuring that even novice fishers can participate. Tour-takers might nab snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, and tarpon, the four of which can be housed together in a jumbo aquarium for a fish reality show, as long as a sassy blowfish joins the mix. Each boat seats up to three people for half-days, three-quarter days, or full days, with the vessels heading either inshore or offshore near the Gulf of Mexico. Explorers might bring a hat, sunglasses, snacks, and jackets, according to the weather, and smocks depending on how neatly their co-tourists can eat.

Captain Nate Maynard may just as well have been born on a boat. Growing up in South Florida, he spent much of his youth studying the waters off Pine Island Sound, Charlotte Harbor, and Matlacha and San Carlos Passes, learning the patterns of the prized catches lurking beneath. As he got older, Maynard tested his expertise by entering the tournament scene, refining his approach for fishing the area’s expansive shallow flats, bays, and outer-island passes.

With Lip’em N Grip’em Fishing Charters, Maynard imparts his knowledge to all levels of anglers during guided outings. Supplying all equipment and preferring live bait such as pinfish and shrimp—but willing to use artificial lures based on the availability of live bait and clients’ preferences—the captain leads parties on fishing excursions for hauls of South Florida’s many species, including redfish, snook, and trout. For fisherman seeking bigger trophies, Maynard motors his 22-foot, 225 horse-power Sterling boat toward waters home to tarpon, shark, and flounder shaped like Academy Awards.

Captain Maynard operates by a “no fish, no pay” policy to demonstrate his integrity toward clients. In addition to guiding, he also takes guests on sunset cruises and wildlife excursions such as dolphin and manatee tours.:m]]

From catching a 5-pound largemouth bass at age 5 to spending his summers competing in offshore fishing tournaments in the Bahamas, Captain Sean Adler's proudest moments have played out aboard a boat. Now the licensed captain strives to share the thrill of a taut line with passengers of all fishing-experience levels. To that end, he and his crew monitor the tides, barometric pressure, and moon phases to inform departure times for their fishing trips. They stock their boats with ample bait, ice, and fishing equipment for all guests. Once passengers reel in their catches, the crew snaps photos which anglers can proudly display at the office or threaten ungrateful pet goldfish at home.

Designed to take the hassle out of ocean outings, Destination Boat Clubs matches members with crafts from its fleet of seaworthy deck boats, cabin cruisers, fishing boats, and bow riders housed at five locations across the Florida coast. Using an easy online-reservation service, members set up a rental time and arrive at the club to find their boat ready to go, with tanks filled and interiors cleaned. Vessels come equipped with tools ranging from iPod-ready stereos to onboard GPS systems, which help members to navigate the waves without the need to weld their own sextant. Clubs also feature onshore amenities, with outdoor pools and jacuzzis helping members to unwind before dinner and drinks at onsite restaurants and lounges.