Fishing:
Kingfish, as they are commonly called, can pull a line off a reel so fast, they will actually make the gears smoke. These big 'smokers' can weigh 50 pounds or more. Conservation measures in recent years have increased their stock, which has led to a vibrant professional king fish tour up and down the Gulf Coast.
And where you will find king fish, you will find Spanish mackerel. 'Macks,' as they are sometimes called by local anglers, are a thrill on light tackle. These lean, mean eating machines travel in schools, and when the bite is on, it is not uncommon for an angler to catch 20 or more in a day.
And once you have exhausted your opportunities with these two near-shore species, the big decision is whether to head offshore for the deep-water sport fish - grouper and snapper - or head into the protected back country of Sarasota Bay for a little light-tackle flats fishing.
Big-Kid Fun at G.Wiz:
G. WIZ: The Hands-On Science Museum may surprise you because it's just as fun for big kids as it is for the little tykes toward which it is geared.
EcoZone has creatures such as snakes, adorable turtles, fish viewable through a special reverse periscope and a creepy crew of Madagascar giant hissing cockroaches.
Admission for adults 19 and older is $9, $8 for seniors age 65 and older, $6 for children ages 3-18, and free for children younger than 3. Hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. on Sundays. Call 941-309-4949 for more information
Beach:
On Casey Key, Nokomis Beach is a diamond-quality spot inviting folks to set their picnic baskets and brightly colored coolers in the sand.
Golf:
Sarasota County has long been a golfing gold mine. A surge in course construction in recent years has only added to the quality and range of challenges for even the casual golfer. By word-of-mouth alone, many see Sarasota on the brink of being mentioned among the country's top golf destinations, a secret waiting to be discovered and explored by vacationers, seasonal visitors and full-time Floridians alike.
In the heart of Sarasota, you'll find four can't-miss courses. For an expanse of scenery, including 11 lakes, bring your foursome to Tatum Ridge Golf Links. The Ted McAnlis course is just east of I-75 and Fruitville Road. The Groves at the Meadows isn't too far from downtown, but you'd never know it by the wildlife that make the Arthur Hills facility home. Be sure to swing by the centrally located Village Green Golf Club, an 18-hole executive course. To truly test your skills, hit the links at the River Club. Having received a four-star rating from Golf Digest, it's considered one of the county's most challenging layouts.
The county's most historic golf property has to be Bobby Jones Golf Complex, a municipal 45-hole layout owned and operated by the City of Sarasota. Bobby Jones, the famed amateur and course namesake, himself cut the ribbon at dedication ceremonies on Feb. 13, 1927. Legendary architect Donald Ross designed the original 18 holes, and nine of them remain untouched after several splendid upgrades in the '90s.
