Everything You Need to Know About the Deep-Sea Fishing Excursion

Deep-sea fishing is one of the most popular activities for Gulf Coast tourists, but it isn’t always a common activity for people who actually live here. If heading out after some monster fish is something that you have always wanted to try, the Citrus HIlls Vacationers Club has the perfect day trip planned for you in October.

The club is planning an exciting deep sea fishing excursion out of Tarpon Springs that will be the perfect experience for all skill levels ranging from novice fishermen up to semi-professional anglers.

Gulfstar Fishing Charters

This particular trip will be a half-day trip with Gulfstar Fishing Charters, which is one of the most popular charter companies operating out of Tarpon Springs.

One of the best things about deep sea fishing on a chartered excursion is that you don’t have to worry about bringing any fishing gear with you. The captain will provide you with everything you need from rods and reels to bait and hooks. You don’t even need to purchase a fishing license.

The only thing that you will want to bring on this adventure is a cooler full of food and drinks for the day, which will then double as transportation home for all of the fish that you catch.

And as for what to wear, the only requirement is that you plan on being comfortable. It is often about five degrees cooler out on the water, so make sure to dress accordingly.

The Sundance II

The boat we will be boarding is the Sundance II, which was built by hand 1970. After surviving more than 40 years of cod fishing in New England, the Sundance II has found a new life operating charters here in Florida.

While the boat definitely has a rich history, it also boasts plenty of new technology.

Since its relocation to Florida in 2014, the Sundance II has been fitted with new electronics, a Furuno radar, and a digital fish finder.

What About the Fish?

After cruising for a little over an hour and getting about nine miles away from the shore, we will spend 2-3 hours fishing in water that is between 25 and 40 feet deep.

Once the captain drops anchor and we start casting our lines baited with squid, there is a good chance that we will see Key West Snapper, Black Seabass, Porgies, and Grouper coming onto the boat.

Another perk that comes with a deep sea fishing charter is that the crew will be happy to clean all of the fish that you catch so that you can take them home in your cooler and cook them up however you like.

Our Trip Details

The Citrus Hills Vacationers Club is planning this deep-sea fishing excursion for Thursday, October 3. Tickets are on sale now, and the cost is $105 for members and $110 for guests.

Tickets include round-trip transportation from the Activity Center and everything that comes with the fishing charter, as well as ice to pack your catch for the ride home.

The plan is to leave the Activity Center at 7:30 am and return sometime around 6 pm.

No matter how passionate you are about fishing, this is going to be an amazing experience for everyone who participates. Don’t miss out on the fun, and don’t forget to invite your friends and family over for the cookout when you return!

May Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

Whether you are ready for it or not, the month of May has officially arrived, and we are getting ready to kick off another summer season here at the Villages of Citrus Hills.  During the summer months, we tend to slow down on outdoor activities like golf and tennis, but we also pick up on fun social events and great dinner specials. And no matter what type of fun you are looking for around the community, there is something for just about everyone in May.  

Let's jump into the details and take a quick look at some of the most exciting events and activities happening around the Villages of Citrus Hills this month.  

Social Events 

The social fun will kick off right away with a 1950s Prom Dance taking over the Activity Center Auditorium on Saturday, May 4. In order to make it feel just like the high school dance from "Back to the Future," the theme is going to be "Enchantment Under the Sea" and there will be prizes for the best costumes! 

On Friday, May 10, the Vacationers Club is planning a bus trip to Tampa to see the Tampa Bay Rays host the New York Yankees. The Rays are off to a hot start this year, and every game against the Yankees is going to be a close one, so this is a great chance to see the home team in action.  

If you're looking for a laugh, you won't want to miss comedian Alan Schubowsky performing in the Hampton Room on Tuesday, May 14. Alan has performed on huge stages all over the world, and he is going to be cracking up everyone in attendance for this special event.  

Tasty Trivia Tuesday will be back in the Hampton Room on Tuesday, May 21. Dinner this month will include Swiss Chicken, Bourbon Salmon, Potatoes Au Gratin, Broccoli with Red Pepper and Shallots, Salad, Rolls, and German Chocolate Cake.  

The biggest social event of May will actually be happening on the very last day of the month. That is when the Slice of Summer Poolside Party will be taking place at the Activity Center. DJ Benny Cruz will be playing all of your favorite songs by the pool at this exciting dance party under the stars.  

Arts & Education 

Dr. Trish Kallenbach will be speaking about Holistic Pet Nutrition in the Activity Center Auditorium on Tuesday, May 7 at 10 am. During her presentation, she will be covering everything you might want to know about how a healthier diet can improve your pet's lifestyle.  

The Healing Power of Music will be back in The Garden Room on Thursday, May 16 this month. Gayle Cohen will be focusing on topics like everyday stress, loss, divorce, and other issues while covering how music can help our bodies heal.  

Golf & Tennis 

The Oaks course will be hosting the Cinco de Mayo Open on Saturday, May 4 at 8:30 am. This will be one of the most enjoyable golf outings of the summer, so make sure you don't forget to sign up to participate.  

The more serious golf event this month will be the Men's Better Ball A/D - B/C tournament at Skyview on May 6 and 7. This exciting tournament is open to all Skyview members, and everyone will be playing from the white tees.  

If you are simply looking for a way to improve your golf game, we highly recommend heading out for one of the Free Golf Clinics with our resident expert, Mary Slinkard. There will be clinics for complete beginners on May 6, 7, and 8. Then there will be intermediate clinics on May 14, 21, and 28.  

The monthly Free Beginner Tennis Clinic at the Skyview Tennis Center will be happening on Tuesday, May 14 at 11 am. If you have been thinking about dusting off that old racket and need a refresher on some of the basics, this is the perfect place to get that.  

Dinner Specials 

Mother's Day meals are going to be big at Skyview Restaurant and The Grille this month. Both of our community restaurants will be celebrating with specials on Sunday, May 12. Skyview Restaurant will be serving up fabulous entrees, while The Grille is going to be the destination for anyone looking for a spectacular buffet-style offering. 

In addition to their Mother's Day special, Skyview Restaurant is also going to be hosting a Spring Wine Dinner on Tuesday, May 7 and a Turkey Buffet on Thursday, May 23.  

Not to be outdone, The Grille is staking its claim as the place to be on Memorial Day for a first-class summer BBQ Buffet featuring everything from Baby Back Ribs to Smoked Brisket.  

The Tiki Bar is going to be the place to be on the first weekend of the month with a huge party for the Kentucky Derby on May 4 that will be almost immediately followed by another wild party for Cinco de Mayo on May 5.  

In addition to all of the events that the people at the Activity Center have planned for the month of May, there are also some fantastic Mother's Day specials happening all month long at BellaVita Spa.  

Whether you are planning to hit all of the social events or are booking some private time for yourself at the spa, make sure you have a great month here at the Villages of Citrus Hills.

Upcoming Events with the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club

In addition to all of the exciting events and activities happening here at the Villages of Citrus Hills each and every month, there are also lots of fun excursions available to members thanks to the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club.  

If you have been throwing around the idea of taking a fun day trip to somewhere like Tampa or Clearwater, you'll be delighted to learn that the Vacationers Club has already done the planning for you...and they're also taking care of the transportation, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy yourself! 

Tampa Bay Downs 

We have spent entire blog posts discussing how much fun there is to be had rooting for the horse races at Tampa Bay Downs, and you can experience that fun for yourself with the Vacationers Club on Saturday, April 27.  

Tickets for this event include roundtrip transportation, group seating for the races, and a massive buffet lunch.  

Tampa Bay Rays 

Baseball season is already back in full swing, and the Vacationers Club is planning two trips to see the Rays in action this summer. There will be groups heading down to see the Rays host the New York Yankees on Friday, May 10 and the Boston Red Sox on Friday, September 20.  

In addition to the standard things like a ticket to the game and roundtrip transportation, anyone attending these events will also receive a free Tamp Bay Rays hat.  

Early Bird Dinner Theater 

Anyone looking for a day trip with a bit of culture will want to be involved in the group heading to Clearwater on Saturday, May 18 for Early Bird Dinner Theater.  

Following the lunch buffet, the curtain will go up for a live performance of "The Dixie Swim Club", which is a hysterical play that focuses on the lives of five southern women who get together once a year.  

Publix Aprons Cooking School 

Looking for a good way to improve your skills in the kitchen? There is nothing quite like the Publix Aprons Cooking School for that!  

On Thursday, May 30, a group will be heading down to Tampa for a private class where instructors will teach four different dishes while pairing each with a perfect wine accompaniment.  

Anyone attending the class will learn fresh new dishes like Blistered Tomato and Burrata Crostini, Crispy Miso-Glazed Pork Belly, Marinated Flat-Iron Steak, and Mixed Berry Crumble. And then there is the complimentary wine! 

Eastern Caribbean Escape 

The Citrus Hills Vacationers Club was largely founded based on their members' love for cruising, so there is rarely a year that goes by where they aren't working on some type of ocean adventure.  

The next big cruise will be happening January 4 to 11 with Holland America Line, and it will take travelers to Turks & Caicos, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, and the Bahamas. Cabins are available from $600 to $900, so reserve yours today.  

As with any of the trips being planned by the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club, you can find more information about anything you might be interested in at the Activity Center. Just pick out a few events that sound interesting and get yourself signed up!

7 Citrus Hills Themed New Year's Resolutions for 2019

Whether you’re ready for it or not, 2019 has arrived, and we are all planning for it to be the best year ever here at the Villages of Citrus Hills.  

And if you have not yet committed to picking a resolution for the new year, we have put together a few Citrus Hills themed suggestions that will help you get more out of your fabulous life here along Florida's Nature Coast.  

Attend More Social Events 

Spending more time with friends and neighbors is one of the most popular New Year's Resolutions here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, but we suggest taking that idea one step farther and committing to attending more of our regular social events throughout the year.  

There are dozens of fun and exciting events happening every month around the community and making a point to attend as many of them as possible is a great way to fill up your social calendar while spending quality time with friends and neighbors.

Dinners with Friends 

In addition to attending the many social events happening around our community throughout the month, you can also spend more time with friends and neighbors by planning a regular dinner at Skyview Restaurant, The Grille, or the Tiki Bar.  

This can be an extra special resolution if you can get a group of friends to all commit to meeting for dinner on a specific day each month.  

Join a Class at PrimoVita 

Another popular resolution is to work on getting yourself into better shape, and there are tons of fun options to help you out with that in the form of exercise classes at the PrimoVita Fitness Center.  

Whether you are looking for beginner Pilates or advanced yoga, there is a class that is perfect for everybody who is looking to improve their fitness in 2019.  

Hit the Range More Often 

If improving your golf game is high on your list for the coming year, a great New Year's resolution that you can make is to put a priority on getting yourself to the Skyview Driving Range more frequently.  

Like most resolutions, this one will be more powerful if you attach real numbers to it, so pick a specific number of times you want to hit the range each week or month and hold yourself to it.

 Read Good Books at the Pool 

Reading more books is also a popular resolution, and the pools throughout the Villages of Citrus Hills are perfect places to kick back with a good one.  

The Coffee Shop is another popular spot to catch up with your reading or a friend. 

Pick Up a New Hobby 

If you would like to bring a new hobby into your life this year, there are quite a few excellent clubs to choose from that meet regularly all over the Villages of Citrus Hills.  

We have everything from Bocce to Wood Carving, and all you have to do is call up the club leader for more information. 

Plan a Trip 

For members who are looking to add a little more excitement to their lives in 2019, we recommend checking out some of the exciting trips that the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club has planned for the coming year.  

And if you can't find anything there that excites you, there are dozens of day and weekend trips that we have profiled on the blog over the years.  

You can't put it off any longer. 2019 has arrived, and just like 2018 it will fly by before you know it. Make sure you get the most out of the new year by making a resolution to take advantage of all that there is to see and do here at the Villages of Citrus Hills!

December Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

It's the most wonderful time of the year here at The Villages of Citrus Hills, and we are rolling right into a jam-packed month of December that is going to be filled with all kinds of holiday fun.  

Whether you are looking for fun things to do with friends and family, opportunities to get out and learn something new, a little competition, or just a great meal, we have the best of the best activities and events happening around the community this month.  

Social Events

The first big event of the month will be the Hanukkah Party on Tuesday, December 4 in the Hampton Room. This special party to celebrate the festival of lights will feature tray-passed hors d'oeuvres, a Mediterranean platter, and a pasta bar.  

On Monday, December 10, the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club will be taking a group down to Tampa to see our Lightning host the New York Rangers at 7:30 pm. Tickets for this event are $145 per member, and that includes great seats and round-trip transportation.

The second biggest social event of the month will be the Holiday in the Hills Golf Cart Parade that is scheduled for Sunday, December 16. Everyone is encouraged to decorate their golf carts for the holidays and join in the parade from the Activity Center

down to Skyview Restaurant for an awards banquet.  

And the only reason that the Golf Cart Parade is the second biggest social event of the month is that there will be an even bigger party happening in the Hampton Room on New Year's Eve. Tickets are still available for this fun evening that will include appetizers, a full dinner buffet, live music, and a champagne toast at midnight.  

Arts & Education

The Citrus Hills Speaker Series will be back in the Activity Center on Friday, December 7 when we will be welcoming Veteran Frank Jolliff. He will be discussing the book he published about his time in Vietnam starting at 5:30 pm.  

On Wednesday, December 19, Steven Davis will be discussing Florida-Friendly Landscaping in the Activity Center as part of the Citrus Hills Seminar Series. Everyone who attends the event will learn all of the basics of landscaping practices that work best here in Florida.  

Looking ahead to January, Gayle Cohen will be returning to lead a regular seminar discussing The Healing Power of Music and how you can use her tips to lift and heal your body, mind, and spirit.  

Golf & Tennis

Most golfers tend to slow down a bit over the holidays, but this can actually be the perfect time to work on your game in between the two halves of our season here at The Villages of Citrus Hills. So, make sure that you are still booking your tee times! 

The two big golf events this month will be the St. Nick Open at The Oaks course on Saturday, December 8 and the Husband and Wife Championship at Skyview on Monday, December 10.  

In addition to those fun tournaments, there is a new "Newbie" Nine-Hole League starting up on Thursdays at The Meadows course, and PGA Pro Mary Spinkard will be hosting her usual Free Golf Clinics throughout the month.  

December is also a great month to get involved at the Skyview Tennis Center, and they will be hosting a Free Beginner Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, December 11 at 11 am. There will be a sale on all tennis apparel at the Skyview Tennis Center throughout the month of December.  

Dinner Specials

Our community restaurants are also getting into the holiday spirit this month, and Skyview Restaurant is going to be celebrating the season with their 10th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Special Event on Tuesday, December 4 and a Members'

Holiday Party on Tuesday,  December 11. Both events will feature holiday themed buffets.  

Members will also want to hit The Grille on Saturday, December 15 for their Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. In addition to great food and drink specials, there will also be a holiday sing-a-long and some special surprises. 

BellaVita

And, if you are looking to pamper yourself during the holidays, BellaVita Spa has December specials like a Perfect Appearance Dermalife Facial, a Cranberry Spa Pedicure, and a Holiday Massage Special.  

It doesn't matter which events you are most excited for this month; the important thing is that you make a point to enjoy them and spend as much time as possible with friends and family. Have a great month and we'll have more events from the Activity Center staff in the New Year!