Water you thinking about?  Have you been herring about fishing at Walt Disney World?  I know – probably not your line of thinking.  Most do not consider tackling this activity when planning a Disney trip.  However, I encourage you to stretch your mental mussels!  A guided Bass Fishing Excursion is a catchy way to spend two or four hours if you are looking for something different to do, and you’ll meet a new cast member.

Up to five guests can go bass fishing with a guide, perched on a 21 foot pontoon boat – so you won’t be packed in like sardines.  Or if you’re feeling more shellfish, there is also bass nitro fishing which features a tournament-style Nitro Bass boat for one or two people.  My family has done the pontoon bass fishing excursion on a few occasions and we love it!

All Walt Disney World Resort fishing excursions include:

• An experienced guide
• Rod, reel, tackle, and artificial and/or live bait
• Non-alcoholic beverages (guests may not bring their own beverages, food, or coolers)
• One year BASS (Bass Anglers Sportsman Society) membership, which includes 11 issues of Bassmaster Magazine (one membership per excursion)

For more information including rates, please visit Fishing in Walt Disney World Resort.

Fishing excursions depart from several different Disney marinas so you have a choice of lakes to fish.  You can fish the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake (with wonderful views of the Magic Kingdom and the resorts that surround the lakes), Crescent Lake and the World Showcase Lagoon (with fantastic views of Epcot and  Disney’s Hollywood Studios), or Village Lake (with great views of Downtown Disney).

All of the fishing is catch-and-release so be prepared to catch some nice-sized bass.  Some grow to be a good size which makes reeling them in so much fun.  Don’t worry about talking about “the one that got away.”  Very few actually get away with a knowledgable guide helping you to land the fish!  If you don’t want to take the fish off the line (like me), the guide will handle it.  The guide will also make sure you get a photo opportunity before releasing the fish back into the lake.

Life jackets are provided for everyone and anyone under 13 years old must wear one at all times.

DIStracted Tip:  Remember to bring your sunscreen, sunglasses and your CAMERA.  We also bring a towel along.  And make sure you “use the facilities” before getting onboard.  There are no bathrooms on those pontoon boats!

The guides are very knowledgable.  Ask them questions!  They really do know their stuff.  Whether you are a complete novice or your neighborhood’s Babe Winkelman, the guided bass fishing excursion is so much fun.  We love to go on the first excursion of the day, before the parks open.  It is relaxing, quiet and the fishing is usually better in the morning!

DIStracted Tip:  Call (407) 939-BASS or (407) 939-2277 to make a reservation, or submit a Bass Reservation Request online and a Fishing Coordinator will contact you in 12 to 24 hours.  Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance.

Note:  Special shout-out to my fellow editor, Bruce Berglind!  You do have a way with worms!  I mean, words!