If you would like to go out on the water, but don't want to hire a boar, then just phone Don Meilner on 941 778 3875. Don will take you on a sunset dinner cruise, out along the Gulf side of the island or exploring the inland waterways. He is a really great character with a marvellous sense of humour, so you are guaranteed a really good trip.

If you are coming to the island then you can't do better than to stay at the brand new Villa Serena, It is Italian Mediterranean style design and the interior is absolutely gorgeous, smooth Canadian maple wood floors, hugely comfortale sofas and a swimming pool with waterfall. Check it out at

http://www.annamaria.com/

http://www.annamaria.com/default.asp?PID=361

For the fishermen amongst you, you can go out with one of the local Captains for a day or half day trip:

Local fishing news:

Capt. Sam Kimball, out of Annie’s Bait & Tackle on Cortez Road, said he’s staying in the backwater, catching snook, redfish and trout.

Capt. Mark Johnston of Annie’s said he’s also catching trout, redfish and snook.

Bill Lowman at Island Discount Tackle at Catchers Marina in Holmes Beach said offshore fishers are catching grouper. Backwater anglers are catching redfish, snapper and trout.

Bob Kilb at the Rod & Reel Pier said anglers there are catching small mackerel, mangrove snapper, redfish and black drum.

Dave Sork at the Anna Maria City Pier said fishers there were pretty much echoing what was coming from the Rod & Reel: macks, snapper, reds and drum.