Fishing excursion

[KyGirl]

This might be in the wrong forum. If so, sorry!

We're planning a trip to Disney for the end of January 2017 so I'm in the thinking of things to schedule phase of my process.

We're going to be there over DH's birthday and while he enjoys Disney mostly to accommodate me and our DD, it's not his dream vacation. He's way more of an outdoors kind of guy. That said, I was thinking of surprising him on his birthday with a fishing excursion. It will be the three of us with my parents so we could either all go on the boat or possibly, DH and my dad could fish while DD, my mom, and I hit up the BBB for DD (She will be four years old.).

But other than what is on the official Disney website, I haven't heard too much about these outings. We will be at OKW so if I understand correctly, he'll have to travel to another resort. Is that right?

I guess what I'm looking for is personal experiences. The whole thing seems crazy expensive (but it's Disney so that's not surprising) but is it worth it? Do you catch tons of fish? (Not guaranteed I know, just looking to see what has happened for other people.) And is it a good choice for a pretty experienced fisherman or is it sort of a watered down experience? He has less opportunity to go now that we have a daughter of course but he used to fish all the time. Also, keep in mind that this will be January. I know weather cannot be guaranteed either but would that rule out the whole thing, do you think? Any tips, preferred time of day, etc?

Lots of random questions about something you don't hear much about. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[learningtolive]

I've always wanted to do this to be honest. I LOVE fishing. I've read on here the best are the sites around the lagoon. Haven't done it yet though, waiting for my daughter to get older (she's 4).

 

[mukorasirish]

We did the fishing trip at Epcot last year (we were staying at the Beach Club) and plan on doing it again summer of 2017. We will be staying at the Poly and will do it in the Lagoon.. My husband and I and our three kids went (DD 15 DD12 DS8) and EVERYONE loved it. The guides are amazing - very nice and very helpful. All of us caught multiple fish - and some really decent sized bass. We only did the 2 hour trip but will definitely do the longer one next time. All three kids were sad when it ended. I would recommend it for all ages.

 

[IndyRnRfan]

I've wanted to do this but just didn't have the time. Money is a little high but not too bad considering you will typically pay between $200-$400 for a 4-6 hour guided bass fishing trip just about anywhere in the U.S. I have seen many of these trips while at Disney and I'd say at least half the time I see at least 1 person pulling up a fish. From my POV being in the upper midwest, Florida bass are much bigger than where I am. Here a 2-3lb bass is pretty nice size with the occasional 4-5 lb being possible. In Florida, 2-5lb bass are considered bait by many fishermen. If he likes to fish then I say go for it. If he only does it once in a while, that's your call whether to do it or not. Fishing is hit or miss but since you can only fish with a guide and the lakes are not over fished, I'd say the chances of catching a nice amount of fish are pretty high. I'd offer one suggestion, book the early trip.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

As the PP said, the fishing guides are very good. We did it when we stayed at FW and went early morning, before the world woke up. We were on one of the pontoon boats - my brother in law, niece (6) and I. We raced over from Bay Lake and went into the Seven Seas Lagoon dock for the big ferry boat and fished there first. As the world woke up we worked our way around the lagoon. We used live bait only and everything was catch and release. We caught at every spot - and we had 1 unusual catch -- a sony video camera that was on the bottom near the Poly. My brother in law caught the largest fish and we took pics and measurements and my sister and niece gave him a mount for father's day -- 7lb 9oz bass!

Tom

 

[baler31]

We have always really enjoyed the experience. Even the non fishers and preteens initially not excited ended up huge fans.

 

[eastendlights]

After about 5 or 6 trips, my husband felt the same way yours does so I started booking the fishing trips for him to have some time away from the parks. He has done them about five times and enjoyed them. His opinion is that if you are a very experienced fisher that goes all the time it might be boring but for anyone else it is fun and worth doing.

 

[jade1]

Have been many times. EPCOT before it opens (from BC) was cool, Bay Lake in front of MK (Bay Lake is our favorite) though.

Never been end of Jan so not sure what its like, but we always get about 20 in a couple hours between us. They fight so it's a good time.

Have heard that Carribean Beach Resort Lake is good, maybe just boat from OKW?

Most around 2 pounds, did get an 8 pound near WL though. Guide said they get about 3 a year that size.

 

[conandrob240]

What resorts do these depart from? At what time of day?

 

[Kevin355]

We stayed at CBR last September and were standing on the deck outside OPR. There was a fishing excursion going by the deck. Wife casts and so does husband. About a minute later, wife has a fish and hubby still waiting. Guide takes the fish off of the hook for the wife and the husband reels in his line. They both cast again. Wife gets another bite, hubby is still getting shutout. Guide takes fish #2 off of the hook and hubby reels in again. They move the pontoon over by the lighthouse at CBR, and they both cast again. Wife gets fish number 3 and hubby breaks the rod and reel. Excursion over. Beautiful and funny.

 

[mousefan73]

What are the costs? The website doesnt say? How early?? My DS would love this.

 

[dansdad]

What resorts do these depart from? At what time of day?

What are the costs? The website doesnt say? How early?? My DS would love this.

Here you go.

2hr. trip 1:30PM Only $170 (Single Person)
2hr. trip 7AM or 10AM $270 (2-5 ppl)
2hr trip 1:30PM $235 (2-5 ppl)
4hr trip 7AM or 10AM $455 (2-5 ppl)

Maximum of 5 people per boat

The excursions depart from the following locations

Grand Floridian
Polynesian
Contemporary
Wilderness Lodge
Old Key West
Saratogo Springs
POR
POFQ
Coronado Springs
Caribbean Beach
Yacht Club
Beach Club
Boardwalk Inn
Ft. Wilderness
Disney Springs Marina

 

[Spoiledraf]

I've taken probably 5-6 fishing trips. a couple on Cresent Lake from the BC and the rest on Bay Lake. Our first, at least 10 years ago was mid June and we spent a lot of time in the canal between Cresent Lake and Epcot and did really well on live bait. The following trips I changed over to artificial lures and plastics and worked the weed beds. I didn't do quite as well and got smaller fish, but it was a little more exciting since you actually set the hook. My last trip was in December and it was tough fishing. We changed to live bait and it picked up a bit but the guide said cooler temps tend to slow things down. Not to be a downer but over the years, the fishing has gotten slower and the fish smaller. I saw a chart somewhere once that showed the ten largest fish each year and they were gradually shrinking. Having said that, I'm currently considering taking my grandkids out when we visit in September. As mentioned above, although the BIG fish are harder to came by, the normal are still bigger than most I catch here in Ohio. You never know when or where you will get a big one. That's why they call it Fishin! Otherwise they would just call it Catchin! Have Fun.

 

[jade1]

Some from inside EPCOT.

 

[Disneytam]

My husband ,son and I did the early morning 2 hour one at EPCOT since we were staying at the BWI and in the two hours only caught one fish! We still loved it and had a good time, though I really felt bad for the guide who was just beside himself over the lack of hits by the bass. He ended up refunding half the cost because things were so slow. I really enjoyed being out on the lake that early and really getting a chance to see the world showcase from a different point of view, and of course watching the sun come up over the "world". I would recommend it and are thinking of trying again later this year.

 

[mousefan73]

I am trying to think which lake would be better.. Bay Lake or Epcot? Has anyone done both and can comment which they preferred?? Scenic etc....

Ex. Bay Lake does the tour go from GF side all the way over to Wilderness Lodge
Ex. Epcot the lake by the resorts ( BWI,YC ) and then take you into the Epcot lake?

thanks

Also what do you guys think about this: tour is for 5 ( does that NOT incl. driver/guide?).. As we are only 3 we have a spot for 2... so do you think I would have any luck getting any DISers. to share cost.. kind of a waste of 2 spots since its a flat rate!

 

[jade1]

I am trying to think which lake would be better.. Bay Lake or Epcot? Has anyone done both and can comment which they preferred?? Scenic etc....

Ex. Bay Lake does the tour go from GF side all the way over to Wilderness Lodge
Ex. Epcot the lake by the resorts ( BWI,YC ) and then take you into the Epcot lake?

thanks

Also what do you guys think about this: tour is for 5 ( does that NOT incl. driver/guide?).. As we are only 3 we have a spot for 2... so do you think I would have any luck getting any DISers. to share cost.. kind of a waste of 2 spots since its a flat rate!

We always have 5 (plus the guide is 6), so yea that's too bad but maybe somebody will take you up on it.

 

[jade1]

I am trying to think which lake would be better.. Bay Lake or Epcot? Has anyone done both and can comment which they preferred?? Scenic etc....

Ex. Bay Lake does the tour go from GF side all the way over to Wilderness Lodge
Ex. Epcot the lake by the resorts ( BWI,YC ) and then take you into the Epcot lake?

thanks
!

Bay Lake is our favorite. We found mornings a bit better, but Jan it may be cool in the am so check into that.

You can request areas, but they took us to the best fishing spots-and seemed to always fish in front of Magic Kingdom for a bit, get some nice photos there as well.

They stopped in front of the POLy, then the MK, then the CR bridge, then near WL. And the one time near WL Campground we got our biggest fish.

Yes BC took us into EPCOT as well as a few other spots.

Even BC dock was good.

 

[mousefan73]

We will be going end of Aug. first week september so it will be HOT..so we almost need to do the 7am one... 10-noon might be too hot.

 

[jade1]

We will be going end of Aug. first week september so it will be HOT..so we almost need to do the 7am one... 10-noon might be too hot.

Oh sorry, I was thinking OP.

Have gone in August and agree-first thing in the AM. Again we landed about 20 total then, so not a huge amount but fun when the bite.

I think we have used some discounts over the years.