Hook'um Charters, Sarasota

Thanks to Hook'um Charters, the name "Hot Rod" has become synonymous with fishing. The 32-foot blackfin sportfish yacht floats the Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico in search of prize catches. Redfish, snook, snapper, and trout swim just beneath the surface of the area's Intracoastal Waterway, while even bigger prizes—including grouper, shark, sailfish, and giant bottles of tartar sauce—populate offshore waters. "Hot Rod," and more specifically its fishing guide Harry, float ready to catch them all. Harry has fished the area for nearly four decades, and he channels this experience during fishing trips. On these expeditions, he supplies anglers with all the necessary rods, lures, and know-how to reel in fish after fish.

In the evening, Hook'um Charters shifts focus to sightseeing. The setting sun casts a warm glow over Tampa Bay and its natural scenery, which serves as the backdrop for cruises. For a bit of dinner, captains can also ferry passengers to the area's many waterfront restaurants.