Fishing at the Fort

[Demosthenes]

My son, at 5, has become the world's biggest fishing fan. I am, sad to say, not much of a fisherman; it's not that I don't like to fish, it's just that I don't know what bait/tackle to use. We each own a cheap pole, and we've been going out frequently with friends and having a great time doing it. We will be staying at the BLT in October. My "home" is FW; I started my family trips in a pop-up, and still feel like that is where I belong (alas, I married a hotel kind of girl, so FW is just the place we visit now). I want to take my son fishing at the Fort, but don't know where is the best place to fish, nor what bait I should use. Also, is live bait available for sale anywhere at FW? Not being the experienced fisherman, I'd still like to rent a canoe and take my DS out, but want to make sure we have a good time. I've thought about the bass fishing experience, but I don't really want to spend that kind of cash. Would I be wasting my time out on the canals of FW?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

I think that it's a wonderful thing that your son has discovered fishing and that the two of you are enjoying it together.

I myself have nevered canoed the canals,,but I believe that your son would enjoy it,,it looks like fun. I do however fish the canals just walking the banks fishing and at times have done real well.

Oct is usaully a good time to fish the Fort. I like the morning hours before it gets too hot and the evening hours just before the sun is ready to start going down,,but thats not to say you can't catch a fish in between.

My favorite canal to fish is behind loop 300, I like in the area where the canal meets the lake best.

One of my favorite lures to use at the Fort is small to medium size Rooster Tails,,but don't spend a lot of money on them,,if you look around you can find them reasonably cheap in Wally World, K-Mart, etc.
The colors I like to use are white, maroon, yellow and black. If you can find cheap ones,, buy several,,if the fish aren't hitt'n one color,,try another color.

Yes you can buy worms at the Fort, at the Bike Barn and one of the other stores,(I think the Meadows store )


Yes, the Fishing Excursions are very costly,,but they are lots of fun and do offer the chance to catch one of those "once inna life time catch's",,that is however not always a sure thing either. But on that excursion up to five people can fish and if you split the cost between five people then the cost is worth it. Also you all you have to do is show up at the appointed time and they furnish everything.

Remember , it's catch and release only,,and don't forget to bring a camera,
Ya'll hava great time ,

 

[Demosthenes]

Thanks for the information. I wanted to try the canoe, because Ethan (my son) has asked each time we've gone out, when we were going on a boat!

Thanks so much for the input.

 

[5stljayhawks]

I was down there last year during oct. Didn't have great luck, but didn't put a ton of time into it either. Anytime you are fishing with your kids, it is time well spent. If you have a car head off to walmart and get worms. They will keep up to a week in a cooler or the fridge. I would fish with bobber and smaller hook, maybe the size of nickle, a few chairs and a few bags of fruit snacks.

Hopefully a few crawcads will be looking for a meal. The trail that heads off into the woods is not best bet. I would look at around the outlet and towards the lake on the marina side, there are a few places.

Fising is not always about catching fish. Didn't MM play hard to get with Mickey????

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I agree with Born 2 fish (Frank) on this...due to the fact that my fishing luck at FW is completely because of his advice....behind the 300 loop is great for bass on plastics. I used black/white plastic minnows and had some very decent luck. I also pulled in a few catfish just past the group camping area on the same lures.....this was the first time I personally have ever caught catfish on a plastic lure!!


You mentioned "cheap poles".....my favorite pole cost me $12 at walmart and has a broken tip, the reel was only about 30 or so. Honestly...the fish have no preference to what kind of pole you use...they wont hold it against you!!! Ive been spotted fishing with a pink Barbie pole on occassion!!!! (Right Frank????)

Catchin fish aint what fishin's all about(although it does tend to make it more exciting), but as mentioned before....time with your boy on the water, sharing a common interest that doesnt include a joystick or remote control....thats what fishing is about...thats what LIFE is about!!

Hope you have a great time!!

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

here is a picture of BDR kayak fishing at the fort.

Thats got to be the (Best Pirate) I mean the biggest fresh water flounder I have ever seen.

That picture is from Duttons island in Jacksonville FLA. I just thought it look a lot like ROGER

 

[BigDaddyRog]

That guy doesnt look anything like me!!!! He's fat & bald and......oh,wait....yeah, I guess he DOES look just like me!!!! Darn good lookin fella, there!!!

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

You see that kayak he's on. It would look great on top of your pop-up. You could take a boat with you on your camping adventures. I have a sit on top kayak set up for fishing with rod holders,depth finder and gps. I love to take it camping so I can get in some good fishing too. Monday it's going with me to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for some Red fish and Sea Trout fishing. I'll post up some pictures when I get back next Sunday.

Here is the web site for the guys kayak fishing out of Jacksonville.
(Gatordads and Slacktesters back yard) http://www.jaxkayakfishing.com/

 

[njcamper95]

i fished there last year in Oct behind the 1400 loop and was catching tons of blue gills from small to med size we would use bread rolled into a ball on a size 8 hook worked great for days the 1400 loop runs into the lake by the canoe rental place so you should get them almost anywhere i'm sure worms would work great also and as mentioned you can get them either at the bike barn or outside you can use many different types of lures also my best luck has been with either rubber worms or small rapala hard baits by where the dam and lake meet behind 300 loop caught several bass there no monsters but still fun good luck and have fun

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Ive been spotted fishing with a pink Barbie pole on occassion!!!! (Right Frank????)

Hope you have a great time!!

Thats a fact !

i fished there last year in Oct behind the 1400 loop and was catching tons of blue gills from small to med size we would use bread rolled into a ball on a size 8 hook worked great for days the 1400 loop runs into the lake by the canoe rental place so you should get them almost anywhere i'm sure worms would work great also and as mentioned you can get them either at the bike barn or outside you can use many different types of lures also my best luck has been with either rubber worms or small rapala hard baits by where the dam and lake meet behind 300 loop caught several bass there no monsters but still fun good luck and have fun

Believe it or not, I haven't fished there, gonna try this next trip tho,

 

[stacktester]

You see that kayak he's on. It would look great on top of your pop-up. You could take a boat with you on your camping adventures. I have a sit on top kayak set up for fishing with rod holders,depth finder and gps. I love to take it camping so I can get in some good fishing too. Monday it's going with me to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for some Red fish and Sea Trout fishing. I'll post up some pictures when I get back next Sunday.

Here is the web site for the guys kayak fishing out of Jacksonville.
(Gatordads and Slacktesters back yard) http://www.jaxkayakfishing.com/

It's funny you posted this Jeff. I recently started kayaking and want to do some fishing as well. You can get up in some good creeks that hold nice fish in a kayak. I have a 13' Emotions fishing kayak. The place where that pic was taken is about 5 miles from my house. I usually go there to catch mud minnows when I flounder fish.

I was also going to say Frank's advice of the rooster tails is great. My cousin turned me on to those a few years ago and they work really well. I usually put 2-3 split shot weights about 1 foot up from the lure to get extra casting distance. I find the small white one's work best.

 

[CampingBandit]

We are a fishing family....and I didn't even consider it for this trip, but now we will. Pack some poles and plan on it. The canoing sounds fun.

Ok, don't all pounce at once. But are there actual gators in/around the fort and/or canals? DH mentioned it to my about to be 9yo and I want to have correct info. He's a bit timid at times and I can see him bailing on the canoes idea if he thinks there are gators. But I don't wanna lie to him either....

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I havent seen any adult gators in any of the canals...Bay Lake is a different story.

 

[CampingBandit]

I did a quick google search and found this article:
http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/WDW/Property/Secrets/Animals.html

How come they don't mention any otters?

 

[Gatordad]

here is a picture of BDR kayak fishing at the fort.

Thats got to be the (Best Pirate) I mean the biggest fresh water flounder I have ever seen.

That picture is from Duttons island in Jacksonville FLA. I just thought it look a lot like ROGER

actually that guy is good looking, couldn't be rog...... j/k ;-)

 

[Gatordad]

I did a quick google search and found this article:
http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/WDW/Property/Secrets/Animals.html

How come they don't mention any otters?

Here is some video I've taken of the various alligator sightings at the Fort. If you look, you can see the contemporary and 300 loop in the background.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmzFinBIjuY

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

Here is some video I've taken of the various alligator sightings at the Fort. If you look, you can see the contemporary and 300 loop in the background.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmzFinBIjuY

Now there should be more room at the Fort. Ever since that 20' Gator ate those two families the 300 loop has been empty.

 

[Shan-man]

Hey Pete, next time you're up in a chopper to shoot aerial footage of Bay Lake could you get a nice shot of 600? GoogleEarth still hasn't updated their imagery for the new loop. Thanks Champ!

 

[CampingBandit]

Here is some video I've taken of the various alligator sightings at the Fort. If you look, you can see the contemporary and 300 loop in the background.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmzFinBIjuY

LOL you couldn't help yourself, could ya?

 

[Dillonmom]

Thanks Everyone for all the fishing info...the boys have been asking about fishing since I told them I booked the trip. Something tells me they will be skipping the Princess Breakfast with Abby and me and will be fishing with DH.

Just wanted to say Thanks to all of you for such great posts and info on this forum. This is my first time at FW. I grew up with a hotel mom, so GF and Poly were where we stayed growing up. Have been back with the kids (at Port Orleans), but never thought I would would stay at FW, and now I am so EXCITED to be at the Fort! Is it really bad when you are at work, and you are getting mad bc the DISBOARDS are blocked from ur CP??? SO not fair!!!