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Even sport fishermen's dreams really do come true at the Walt Disney
World Resort, where trophy-sized largemouth bass in the 14-pound
range sometimes lurk in lakes and canals almost within casting distance
of Cinderella Castle.
But this fish story gets even better: "Wannabe" sports fishermen's
dreams also come true.
Guided Fishing Tours Offered
On fishing excursions led by expert bass guides, guests with lots
of experience -- or with little or no fishing experience -- can
all enjoy the exhilarating thrill of a feisty largemouth "striking."
Here are the tour details:
 Two-hour guided tours
are offered daily on an advance-reservation basis.
Tours are aboard pontoon
boats with the fishing guide at the helm.
Boats arrive at the dock
fully stocked for the excursion with rods, reels and other fishing
gear, cold drinks and a camera to prove you're not telling "fish
stories."
A party of up to five people
can participate in the tour.
No fishing license is required.
It's a catch-and-release
program -- and if you're timid about handling those critters, that's
not a problem: the bass-guides are there to help.
The tour costs $195-$215
for parties of five. Shiners are extra: $13 for one dozen, $23 for
two dozen.
Typical tour hours that
can be arranged are early morning, mid-morning or afternoon.
Guests can make reservations
up to two weeks in advance at 407/WDW-PLAY (option 4).
Tours start at Disney's Polynesian, Contemporary, Grand Floridian,
Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness resort docks on Bay Lake and
Seven Seas Lagoon; at Disney's Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts
and Disney's BoardWalk on Crescent Lake; and at Downtown Disney
Marketplace and Disney's Port Orleans Resort.
During construction of the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom in the
late 1960s, more than 70,000 bass fingerlings were released into
Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon next to Disney's Contemporary Resort
and the Magic Kingdom. Organized fishing tours didn't start until
1977, leaving the bass to grow and breed undisturbed for years.
The result is some spectacular fishing that has even caught the
attention of several professional bass fisherman. Jimmy Houston,
Hank Parker and Bill Dance have all fished the productive lakes
at Walt Disney World Resort. Three professional bass fishing events
-- FINS, Bass & Race, and Bass & Golf -- have been held on Bay Lake
and Seven Seas Lagoon and televised on ESPN.
The heaviest largemouth bass caught and recorded at the Vacation
Kingdom was 14 pounds, 6 ounces. Guests routinely catch bass weighing
from 2 to 8 pounds -- and guides relate tales of catches in the
12-pound range.
Kid's Tour
While youngsters can participate in the general bass tours, there's
also a two-hour guided experience designed just for children aged
5 to 12.
Cost is $30 per child. Information and reservations are available
by calling 407/WDW-PLAY (option 4).
Fort Wilderness
Marina Fishing Excursion
On Seven Seas Lagoon. Guests can be picked up at their choice of
the following marinas: the Contemporary, Fort Wilderness, Grand
Floridian, Polynesian, or Wilderness Lodge.
Available - 8am - 10am, 11:30am - 1:30pm, 3pm - 5pm.
Cost $160 (plus tax) for a 2-hour trip for group of up to 5 guests,
$60 (plus tax) for one additional hour. $13 (plus tax) per dozen
of live bait. Kids Fishing Around the World - A child's fishing
excursion is available for ages 6 - 12 on Tuesdays 12pm - 2pm, and
Fridays 8am - 10am. Grand Plan and Deluxe Magic packages apply.
(Hours vary according to season).
Yacht
and Beach Club Fishing Excursion
On Crescent Lake.
Available - 7am - 9 am (includes opportunity to fish in Epcot's
World Showcase Lagoon), 11am - 1pm.
Cost $160 (plus tax) for a 2-hour trip for group of up to 5 guests.
BoardWalk
Fishing Excursion
On Crescent Lake.
Available - 7am - 9am (includes World Showcase lagoon), 10am - 12pm.
Cost $160 (plus tax) for 2 hours and a maximum of 5 guests. Grand
Plan package applies. Must make reservations 48 hours in advance
and you must arrive 10-15 minutes prior to start.
Port Orleans
Riverside Fishing Excursion
On Sassagoula River.
One trip daily 6:30am - 9am (hours vary seasonally).
Cost $65 (plus tax) per guest for up to five guests. Grand Plan
and Deluxe Magic packages apply. Not available for children under
age 12.
PO Riverside Resort also has a 'Fishing Hole' at its Ol' Man Island.
It is an enclosed, stocked fishing hole available from 7am - 3pm
(hours vary seasonally). They offer a cane pole and worms at $4
per hour, and a family rate of up to six guests for $12.50 per hour.
Downtown
Disney Marketplace Fishing Excursion
On Lake Buena Vista.
Hours from 6:30am - 8:30am, & 9am - 11am
Cost $160 (plus tax) for a 2-hour trip for group of up to 5 guests,
$60 per additional hour, $10 plus tax per dozen of live bait.
Reviews
"We reserved the BASS fishing excursion from the Yacht club
for my dad. He,my husband, brother and two family friends went and
they had a great time! Two of the group even tried to convince the
whole lot they should stay out all day, have a guys day! My dad
was all smiles when he got back, saying it was some of the best
fishing he's seen. That's saying a lot, since he even has his own,
custom built Ranger Boat at home!" (10/04)
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