Boat Rental and Fishing

[goofyernmost]

I did it when we stayed at the Yacht Club a couple of years ago and absolutely loved it. It was an early morning and I went fishing in the EPCOT lagoon before the park opened. I was catching fish all around the world!

OK, but that wasn't the only reason you went there was it?

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

I agree, but that wasn't the question. It was basically... can I just fish off the dock and not pay for that arrangement. I don't even deny that it might be relaxing, but it is one expensive overall fishing trip. Want to really fish go to the coast and do some deep sea stuff and not try to snag whatever part of the fish that hasn't already had hundreds of hook run through it. It is a simple matter of Disney is a lot of things but it is way to expensive to be a fishing trip. Gator hunting, maybe, but not the captive fish in Disney's barrel.

The original poster would have preferred the fishing excursion option but as they mentioned, it is all booked for their vacation dates because it is an option people enjoy.

You seem to enjoy having a negative opinion about paying for the fishing excursion while at Disney. That's ok to have that opinion, I'm presenting a different point of view. For us and many others, it isn't too expensive to enjoy a fishing trip at WDW as that is how we choose to spend our money. Just as others choose to have park hoppers, take a Minnie Van instead of a bus, eat every meal at a table service, etc- there are lots of ways to choose to spend your money at Disney and this is how we choose to do so.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Please keep this thread on topic to OP’s request and not judging other guest’s vacation choices.

Further argumentative/off topic posts will be deleted and points may be given.

 

[JungleCruiseFan]

Yes. We were told when we rented a pontoon that whenever we wanted to change seats, change driver, etc, to please stop the boat first, then move around. We changed “captain” several times during our outing no problem, and they were definitely watching

That would have been helpful, they never told us any of that before we went on the boat. Seems way overboard for safety it is a pontoon with rails all around, getting on a moving dark ride like little mermaid etc. is way more dangerous. If they had told us the rules beforehand though we would have followed them and stopped the boat each time we wanted to switch seats.

 

[NCConch]

OK, but that wasn't the only reason you went there was it?

I'm not sure what you are asking.

 

[jade1]

We've gotten in when someone cancels. It's still tough to get a reservation though.

Have never tried the Fort W fishing, didn't think the Port Orleans was worth it.

Have rented a pontoon, but never asked about fishing from it. Highly doubt its allowed.

 

[Darth Insidious]

We've gotten in when someone cancels. It's still tough to get a reservation though.

Have never tried the Fort W fishing, didn't think the Port Orleans was worth it.

Have rented a pontoon, but never asked about fishing from it. Highly doubt its allowed.
View attachment 752676

View attachment 752677

Was this at Disney? That fish is huge!

 

[bama_ed]

The only officially allowed fishing in Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoons are the officially sanctioned (and paid for) fishing excursions with an official Disney Guide on the boat.

Officially speaking at Fort Wilderness, you are not permitted to cast your own rod into Bay Lake or the canals that run through the Fort. The only places you can officially fish in is the pond in front of the Bike Barn (between it and the Meadow Trading Post). If you are publicly casting anywhere else, you will probably encounter a CM coming up to you informing you of the above rules.

These are the OFFICIAL rules. Anything else is a lost revenue opportunity.

Bama Ed

PS - I can't speak for any other Disney resorts but I would think the approach is the same. The official policy is out there for you to follow at each resort.

 

[bama_ed]

Hey Bama Ed! Thanks for sharing these official rules and insights about fishing at Disney.

You're welcome. Officially.

 

[MagicalAdventures]

How far in advance can you book fishing excursions? Is it at 60 days? Thanks

 

[ReddOchtober]

I just stumbled on this. I went on a guided trip in 2023. Caught about six nice size bass; they would be large river bass here in Louisiana. Yes, I can fish for bass here; we even own a hunting and fishing club that has a mix of fresh, brackish, and salt water fishing much of it in private gated marsh and canals. I grew up fishing marshes, swamps, rivers. That said, catching bass in front of the Magic Kingdom, Contemporary, and Wilderness Lodge as the monorail hummed by and the transport boats lumbered along all loaded with Dad's staring me down with a bend rod wishing their wives would let them do such a thing: ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS.

All of that said, I found the price fair, it runs about what any guide will cost you: $100 per hour. The guide brings snacks and drinks, changes lures/rods, and pretty much does anything you need. If you go to the mountains, you'll find much the same rate for a float or wading trout trip. Our guides here on Calcasieu Lake at times charge much the same price, if not more, depending on season, demand, and fuel to chase sea trout (not true trout) and redfish. There are times I consider sneaking one of my fly rods (much more stealth than a bait caster) and shore fishing on some back water or creek, but I also don't want to get caught and evicted/banned from property of which I have a monetary vested interest.

And last, when WDW opened and until the sad incident at the GFV, there was open shore fishing all over Disney. It is what Walt and also Roy wanted: guests to enjoy the lakes. Now it is a control issue. Sadly, Florida needs more gator hunting to keep the man eaters down and less competition so they don't eye ball people; even if the gator that caused the attack was a 6 footer, most of the attacks/deaths were by 9+ footers. Yes, I've gator hunted; we usually sell our tags and gators to pay the property taxes and maintenance costs on the hunting land, which is mostly used for waterfowl. No dog or person has ever been attacked on our property. We also release small gators from the state on a grant and for a small fee to keep the population going. Florida could learn from Louisiana's wildlife management.