Back to how it started,.......

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Last night was like any other night before a big fishing day. I was off the following day and I knew I could spend time prepping the boat, sorting tackle, etc. Just a few hours on the local lake enjoying time to learn new area patterns. Then I decided I wanted to try something. I hadn't bank fished in so long. Since my intro to the sport in 2011 I've been bank fishing for some time before I purchased my bass boat. It seemed as if I forgot the simple ease and pleasure of a stroll around the banks. I unhooked everything from the Jeep and picked one tackle bag and a couple rods. I decided to hit up 3 of my favorite ponds and boy did they miss me!  Seemed as if nobody had broken the glassy surface of these small waters since I left. Almost like the prodigal angler had returned. The absence of fishing pressure on these private ponds was bliss. I felt like the new Classic champion out there. No fueling the boat, loading, unloading, plotting on the map, just cast after cast and getting some nice winter bass. Just felt like I had to take a day off of the boat, a day off of thinking of how to please sponsors, a day away from thinking like a pro mentality. It felt like a vacation from the norm and it felt good. I must say that the joys of casual bank fishing are things I won't ever take for granted and make sure to do as often as possible for sure!

Tight lines...

Joe 

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Anyone else ever share this similar experience?  Just kinda getting back to basics or even leaving the boat at home for a simple day of bank fishing?

[FloridaFishinFool]

Yes. Some of the members here on this forum that live in this area don't have boats, so sometimes we beat the bank together at their spots, and sometimes one or more will go out with me in my boat to some of my spots.

Not going to mention any names but one of the members here showed me a really great spot last summer that is actually in the area I work in. I met him out there one day and it was bass fishing heaven on earth.

There was a nice lily pad covered canal, a retention pond and a lake. I found one spot in between three different separate bodies of water that I could stand and cast into all 3 of them just from one spot. Kind of cool actually.

But yeah it is a good feeling to come upon new virtually untouched waters and have all the bass to yourself! I find that a lot here in Florida. And I mean a lot! I have been known to use google satellite imaging to spy out some new water and even bring a machete and hack my way in to a remote pond in the woods no one fishes.

I'll give away one secret spot I love to fish that virtually no one fishes at Walt Disney! Yes, they do have guided bass fishing at Disney here in Orlando, but only on a couple of the main lakes where they can take boats.

But the real secret to bass fishing at Disney is their canal system! Old Walt Disney actually bought up a bunch of swamp land cheap for his magic kingdom back in the 1960's and one of the first things he had to do was drain out those swamps and so all over Disney you will find canal systems with locks all over the place behind the various resort hotels.

No one fishes them! Who comes to Walt Disney to fish? Well I do! I do a lot of trade show type of work all over the place, and any time my boss says I am going to Walt Disney World in Orlando, I am running for the fishing rods to put in my vehicle for beating the banks at Disney.

I have yet to see any "no fishing" signs any where on Disney property, but sometimes if a security guard sees me they ask me pack it in which I do. But most of the time I am in places no one can see me fish and it is incredible out there! Most of the canals are perfect casting distance across so I can lay a lure on the opposite bank and bump it into the water easy enough. Plenty of parallel shore fishing, bridges and pilons, lily pads- Disney has it all! And many of the canals are mowed right to the edge and accessible too. Just walk out of sight of the roving white security vehicles with the flashing yellow light on top and you got it made!

Disney have big bass out there that have never seen a lure! Better than riding Space Mountain!

So guys, when the kids are screaming for you take them to Walt Disney, take your fishing rods too! Use google satellite imaging to look down on Disney so you can pick the resort with plenty of water, lakes, ponds, and canals all around.

And, what makes this area around Disney so nice, is that the local governments and other businesses have done the same thing in digging a massive canal system to drain wetlands for development. So those Walt Disney canals are now connected up to lots of other canals off Disney property that run all over the place around there. A short drive around the area and you will find some awesome places to fish that people just don't fish because everyone who comes to this area are there for the theme parks and beach type of thing.

Who brings a fishing rod to Walt Disney? Dad does! 

[fishinfiend]

Thanks for mentioning that. Maybe i won't dread blowing money on a trip to disney.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Our family has been visiting Disney World Orlando every year for one week since 2006!  We've done the bass trips near the contemporary resort and other little pond locations too. ;-)

 

Going on the boat is fun with the guide, but you can't beat the ease of the bank there too fishing!!!

[Robeng]

Puts it all in perspective.   

[geo g]

Yes Disney has plenty of big fish.  Don't miss out on Turkey Lake right next to Universal.  It has boats to rent really cheap and lots of big fish.  A Tracker rental is 25 dollars for a half day.   All catch and release.  Only six boats a day.   I rent every time I stay for a few days.