Dockside Fishing

[ljlaurajane]

Really keen to try our hand at fishing on our next trip. We are complete and utter novices, none of us have ever even held a fishing rod. It'll be 2 adults and a 3 year old. The excursions seem great, but the 2 hours would be too long for the little one to be stuck on a boat. So if there a shorter option?

We did like the idea of the dockside fishing at Ft Wilderness, but is there anyone there to help teach us what to do? Honestly we'd be clueless what to do if we actually caught one!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

POR would be perfect if it's not closed. They have cane pole fishing right there at the resort.

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

We've never fished at WDW but I've heard great things about the bass fishing boat excursions. Your guide would likely do everything for you as well which would be a big help if you've never fished.

 

[ldo]

no one to teach at Ft W, but they used to rent gear for a small fee. They might be able to show you how to bait a hook or you can just roll a small piece of bread and put in on the hook.
you can also just buy a little fishing "rod" at walmart/amazon for a 3 yr old and use bread. When you catch something. hold the fish firmly around his body/neck and get hook out of his mouth. Or fish when someone else is fishing and ask them to help. My son caught his 1st fish at Ft W. good luck! It's fun.

 

[ljlaurajane]

no one to teach at Ft W, but they used to rent gear for a small fee. They might be able to show you how to bait a hook or you can just roll a small piece of bread and put in on the hook.
you can also just buy a little fishing "rod" at walmart/amazon for a 3 yr old and use bread. When you catch something. hold the fish firmly around his body/neck and get hook out of his mouth. Or fish when someone else is fishing and ask them to help. My son caught his 1st fish at Ft W. good luck! It's fun.

Thanks yes I had sort of hoped someone could help us out if we get, people are usually so friendly!

 

[FRANKTSJR]

I've been out on the fishing excursions many times. If cost is not an issue, the guide would be just what you are looking for. The guide will bait the hook, take the fish off and be very instructional. Believe me, time will pass quickly but you can go in early if you want.

 

[cobright]

Thanks yes I had sort of hoped someone could help us out if we get, people are usually so friendly!

As the Reverend Bachman–Turner Overdrive once said, "... easy as fishing..."

Here's a link to someone cane pole fishing at POR.

The fish are trained to bite at anything. I mean, not directly trained, but it's catch n release so those fish that bite get food, a poke in the lip, and a one minute visit to fish-heaven. I watched a family fishing this same dock once and they caught a fish on a bare hook.

Generally the technique goes like this. Bait the hook with some of the cut up hotdog or whatever. Dip the pole so the hook drops into the water up to the bobber, so that the bobber is floating freely but there is not much slack between bobber and pole. When the bobber dips under the water, set the hook by giving a bit of a tug up on the pole. then hoist your catch up for a photo before returning the slimy guy to his home.

It seemed like the barbs on the hook were a little wore down, maybe intentionally to make getting fish off the hook easier.

It looked like they were having fun.

 

[cpep42]

I used to fish at Ft. Wilderness all the time. It's really nice there and lots of fish (or at least there used to be). I used pieces of hot dogs and they seemed to like it. However looks like they would bite on corn or most anything. Have fun.

 

[ljlaurajane]

As the Reverend Bachman–Turner Overdrive once said, "... easy as fishing..."

Here's a link to someone cane pole fishing at POR.

The fish are trained to bite at anything. I mean, not directly trained, but it's catch n release so those fish that bite get food, a poke in the lip, and a one minute visit to fish-heaven. I watched a family fishing this same dock once and they caught a fish on a bare hook.

Generally the technique goes like this. Bait the hook with some of the cut up hotdog or whatever. Dip the pole so the hook drops into the water up to the bobber, so that the bobber is floating freely but there is not much slack between bobber and pole. When the bobber dips under the water, set the hook by giving a bit of a tug up on the pole. then hoist your catch up for a photo before returning the slimy guy to his home.

It seemed like the barbs on the hook were a little wore down, maybe intentionally to make getting fish off the hook easier.

It looked like they were having fun.

Thanks thats super reassuring! definitely give it a go ourselves if its that straight forward