September 2019 - Grape Hammock

How Are Airboat Tours Different from Other Boat Tours?

With so many Central Florida attractions vying for a top spot among the hearts of residents and visitors, it can be hard to find the best bang for your buck. Anyone looking to have a truly exclusive experience in Florida will end up deciding between a range of outdoor adventures, but there’s only one option that fits the budget and exceeds the expectations of every passenger possible: airboat tours.

Airboat tours are a great way to walk on the wild side without spending wild amounts of money, and they’re a fantastic, family-friendly option for parties of all ages. If you still aren’t entirely sure whether these tours are right for you, take a look at what makes them stand out from all the rest.

They’re Super Personal

Unlike ferry rides and other large boat tours, airboat tours provide a truly intimate experience. Tour guides can effortlessly maneuver the watercraft through intricate passages to bring guests to some of the most exclusive scenes in the state. And, rather than pushing their way to the edge of the ride just to get a decent glimpse at what lies beyond, every airboat passenger gets the best seat on the boat.

They’re Full of Adventure

You don’t have to be a thrill-seeker to enjoy an airboat tour, but these rides are an absolute blast for adventurers of all ages. Airboats can reach high speeds and rip through virtually anything that Florida waters throw their way, but they’re also a safe outdoor alternative. Because these captains have years of experience navigating the waves and controlling the watercraft, you can bring your entire family along for a Florida airboat tour without a worry.

They’re Practically Unlimited

Regular motorboats easily get stuck in the muddled waters of Florida, but airboats were designed to coast across waves and navigate through all kinds of vegetation. Airboats can easily trek through shallow waters, crowded coves, and tangled depth, because the massive propellers allow the boat to graze just above the surface.

They’re Safer for Wildlife

Airboats aren’t fueled by underwater motors, which means they can safely skim across waters without disturbing surrounding wildlife. Sure, these large boats can cause some ripples and ruckus on the surface, but they aren’t nearly as upsetting to Florida’s aquatic creatures as some other boat tours can be.

They’re Incredibly Affordable

Considering the speeds you reach and the scenes you encounter on an airboat tour, these attractions certainly pack in a ton of value. Rather than drifting through calm waters with a cheap paddleboat tour or racing through waves with a luxuriously priced speedboat rental, airboats offer top-speed adventures, one-of-a-kind views, and safe sailing at an unbeatable rate.

Airboat Tours on Lake Kissimmee

If you want an unforgettable outdoor adventure, book your spot on an airboat tour with Grape Hammock. Our seasoned tour guides take passengers throughout the exceptional waters and abundant ecosystem of Lake Kissimmee to provide a unique experience on every single outing.

6 Interesting Facts About Alligators

Floridians like to think they know everything about alligators, but scientists continue to find out more about the extensive history of these creatures every day. So, let’s take a look at six interesting facts that’ll put your alligator knowledge to the test.

They Aren’t Carnivores

Next time you decide to take an alligator tour, you might see one of these creatures munching on anything from fish to fruit. Because, despite how movies and other media depict alligators as flesh-crazed fiends, alligators actually appreciate a little variety in their diet. Beyond a multitude of meats, alligators enjoy a range of other wild harvests like watermelon and wild grapes.

They Have a Big Appetite

It’s no secret that alligators have an appetite; however, most people don’t exactly know how they manage to eat as much as they do. Turns out, these creatures have the ability to relocate blood from their lungs to their stomach, which elevates the production of stomach acid. This helps to increase the rate of gastric breakdown, allowing them to digest food faster and ingest meals in larger amounts.

They Are Social Creatures

They might not be as in touch with their emotions as humans are, but alligators still have strong communication skills. Whether they need to send a message through air or water, alligators can easily communicate through non-verbal and verbal signals. And, these signals often vary depending on where an alligator is in the courting, mating, or nesting cycle.

They Easily Fight Infection

You often find alligators wading in murky swamps or trudging through muddy marshes, but you don’t often find them bothered by the germs and bacteria around them. That’s because alligators secrete a slightly antiviral serum that naturally fights infection in their daily lives, which means that alligators can easily survive some of the harshest wounds of the waters.

They Eat Other Alligators

These prehistoric predators may come across as a threat to humans, but they’re usually more of a threat to other alligators. In fact, a 2011 Florida study found that adult alligators are likely to feast on newborn or juvenile ones, which scientists believe is responsible for removing roughly 7% of young alligators each year.

They Regulate the Environment

Alligators play a huge role in controlling their own population by eating young alligators, but they also help regulate the environment by feasting on animals that would otherwise overpopulate, like certain species of fish, insects, and crustaceans. And, the holes these gators dig for hibernation provides another source of water for local aquatic animals.

Test Your Knowledge on an Alligator Tour

Whether you want to fact check our alligator information or just want to get a look at one of Florida’s favorite mascots, schedule an airboat ride with Grape Hammock Fish Camp. Our adventurous alligator tours take you through the waters of Lake Kissimmee to see alligators in their natural habitat—with some insightful information from our expert airboat captains, of course.

8 Tips for Catching a Lunker Bass

Florida is known for its abundant waters and exotic fishing opportunities, which is why every fisherman insists on experiencing it for themselves. However, out-of-towners only have so much time to catch a lunker before they have to catch a ride back home, which is why it’s essential to come as prepared as possible. If you’re planning to visit a Florida fish camp to find your next big catch, here are eight tips to optimize your odds.

Fish in Different Places

It’s not impossible to earn a sizeable catch right from the dock, but you can open up more opportunities by casting where others don’t. In fact, the areas that most fishers avoid, like spots with tangled growth or lots of cover, are often the best places to find the greatest hidden catches.

Cast to the Wind

If you want your lure to be the first thing a fish sees on its journey, you need to cast your line against the current. Otherwise, bass may come in contact with your boat, or anything you’ve got hanging overboard, which can put them on alert before they even reach your bait.

Use Your Biggest Bait

You wouldn’t expect an adult to eat the same amount of food as a child, so don’t put the same restrictions on your ideal catch. Small lures aren’t going to grab the attention of large fish, because they’re usually on the hunt for a sizeable dish. So, if you want a big bass, use the biggest bait in your tackle box.

Sharpen Your Hooks

Attention to detail can make the difference between sinking and sacrificing your greatest catch. If you want to improve your chances with every cast, throw a small file in your tackle box so you can easily sharpen your hooks in between catches. This will make it easier for you to hook and harder for fish to escape.

Choose the Best Time

There’s no right or wrong time of year to sink a lunker on your line, but there are some seasonal signals that can improve your chances. For example, after a long winter of little activity in the waters, fish are often itching to jump back into action for spring. Similarly, during mating and hatching season, fish are almost always posted to their eggs and easy to track down.

Invest in Your Equipment

Whether you’ve set a goal of upping your personal best or are just trying to increase your general big catch record, you can drastically improve your results with the right equipment. Investing in stronger lines, quality bait, and tools to fortify your hooks can make the difference between reeling and losing.

Remember to Stay Patient

Being patient has never stopped anyone from earning a great catch. Even the most experienced fishers must continue to cast their line before landing a lunker, which means that you’ll have to dedicate a serious amount of time to taking home a trophy-sized catch.

Pick the Right Location

If you’re searching for the biggest catch in Central Florida, tote your tackle box to Florida’s favorite fish camp, Grape Hammock. Located right at the southern end of Lake Kissimmee, our fish camp is the prime spot to make the biggest catches. For more information or to book your camping spot, contact us today.

Month: September 2019