By Abigail Baker
Fishing poles and Nike’s may be the go-to dad present each Father’s Day, but this June 18, take a trip and surprise dad with hands-on entertainment just around the corner.
Since Father’s Day is on a Sunday, making a lazy-day drive to Tampa, Plant City or even Ruskin could be the perfect day trip for your family, and of course your dad.
Prep with the pros – If you and your dad are the outdoorsy types, you can get all your gear and skills organized at Bass Pro Shops Tampa location. Believe it or not the supply of fishing poles, camping gear and adventure garments can either be a quick stop or an all-day escapade.
“When I went on my hiking trip to California I had no idea about like anything,” said Nick Lawson, a local to the Brandon area. “I went into Bass Pro like just to figure out what I needed and I ended up being so well set in the “Cali” woods.”
With a seafood restaurant called Islamorada Fish Company Restaurant serving local marina snacks, two remarkable large aquariums and a huge selection of interesting tools to enjoy the outdoors, you may find a new addiction.
For information on prices and locations visit http://www.basspro.com/
Leave the Ground – For the more adventurous souls, Jump Florida Skydiving and iFLY are two picks that require more than a little courage.
Jump Florida is a skydiving service in Plant City that allows customers to launch out of a plane at 120 miles per hour. The training course before the final fall is only about one hour, so believe it or not this is an activity that can be done in only a margin of your day.
When you’re ready to hurdle out of a plane, book an appointment and give dad the thrill of his life.
“I’m a big guy so I was nervous that it wouldn’t work, you know?” said Zackary James, who had previously skydived, “Honestly though it was so fun and petrifying in a good way.”
If skydiving at 14,000 feet isn’t exactly your thing, iFLY offers the same excitement, but in a controlled environment.
iFLY is one of the few places that offers indoor skydiving, an experience that offers the same feeling and dynamics of jumping from a plane, but in a controlled room. Located in Tampa, Father’s Day could be a great excuse to try this growing trend out.
For Jump Skydiving, http://www.jumpfloridaskydiving.com/. For iFLY, visit https://www.iflyworld.com.
Cast a Line – Fishing in a lake or pond is great, but if you want to try something a tad more involved, a fishing charter could be a great way to relax this Father’s Day. Instinct Fishing Co., a fishing charter based in Ruskin, that four, six, or eight hour trips.
This is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Instinct Fishing Co. is fishing expedition led by expert Travis Yaecklel, and is a different experience each time. The diverse weather and seasonal changes of Tampa Bay calls for Yaeckle to explore various bays, creeks and rivers in the area.
Even if you are new to fishing or do not find yourself typically on the water, the experience of discovering the back waters of Tampa Bay can be adventure enough.
Plus, the experience is all-inclusive, so if you show up, Instinct will lead you naturally to the best Redfish, Snook and Tarpon. Don’t even worry about the water bottles, it’s handled.
To contact Instinct Fishing Co. about prices and bookings call 830-FISH or visit http://fishbyinstinct.com.
Take a Hike – If you have never been to Edward Medard County Park in Plant City, Father’s Day would be the perfect time to visit. It is located at 6140 Edward Medard Pkwy.
With tree spotted hills formed from the mining of phosphate that are unique to the usually flat Florida landscape, a fishing hole and grilling areas, this can fill your entire day.
If you’re in the mood for more than just hamburgers and casting lines, the park has a three-mile bridle trail. Horse booking services are offered.
Visit http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/medard.html.
