Orlando Fishing
Photos From Tim Fey’s Guide Service
Orlando, Florida is such a popular tourist destination for families, but what most people don’t realize is that the bass fishing can be outstanding in the area lakes. There are plenty of places to fish with numerous fishing guides that will come pick you up at your Disney hotel.
Some of the places that the guides fish in the Orlando area are the Conway Chain of Lakes, Lake Toho (which is actually located in Kissimmee, Florida), John’s Lake and the Walk Disney World Lake.
Because most families are coming to the Walt Disney World area for the theme parks, there may not be very much time to get away and do some fishing. If you’re not sure where to go, we recommend calling a few of the fishing guides to get some of their latest reports. Many of the fishing guides will take their clients to the lake that has the hottest bite going on. Don’t get so caught up on the lake to fish down here. Let the guides dictate where you fish. They will put you on fish. You just have to be ready to set the hook.
Walt Disney World offers some of the most exciting fishing around with their Disney Fishing Excursions. These trips are expensive, but you should have plenty of action with a chance of catching a big bass over 5 pounds. Dockside fishing is also available at some of the Disney World resorts. Make sure to check the Disney website to see where you can fish dockside.
What type of fishing can you expect in the Orlando area?
If you’re coming to Florida and you’re hiring a fishing guide, there’s a really good chance you will be shiner fishing. Shiners are basically a big type of bait fish that Florida largemouth bass love to snack on. Shiners are typically 4 to 8 inches long and even bigger. If you want to catch big bass, go big with the shiners. They are expensive, but you’ll be glad you bought them when you pull in bass in the 3 to 5 pound range with a chance at catching one in the 7 to 10 pound range.
If you enjoy fishing with lures, many of the guides will not mind, but you typically will not catch nearly as many bass.
What other fish can we catch in the Orlando area?
Most anglers fish for largemouth bass, but you can also catch big bluegill, crappie and channel catfish. The bluegill and crappie fishing can be excellent, but you have to find a guide that will fish for them.
What about boat rentals?
It’s tough to find boat rentals in the Orlando area. Try a quick search online, but we haven’t been able to find boat rentals on any of the lakes besides Disney.
What about saltwater fishing?
The saltwater fishing can be excellent within an hour to hour and a half drive from downtown Orlando. Many of the families enjoy heading over to the beach for a day or two anyways, so why not rent a fishing charter or rent your own boat to experience some excellent fishing for a variety of species such as redfish, sea trout, snook, tarpon, black drum, jack crevalle, cobia, barracuda, shark, king mackerel and more. The inshore fishing can be excellent off the Atlantic coast with the Indian River. If you’re looking to head over to the Atlantic Coast, try the following areas:
Space Coast, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach
If you want to head over to the Gulf Coast, you can experience some excellent fishing inshore, offshore or off of the piers. (Try the Skyway Piers in St. Petersburg, Florida) Check out these following areas on the Gulf Coast:
St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa, Bradenton, Sarasota
For more information on the Orlando area, take a look at our tourism links.
