Where to fish anywhere near Orlando?

[WRangler506]

Im leaving Wednesday 3/20 to take my wife and young kids family down to Orlando again for a week, its going to be crazy busy Im sure so Im looking to find somewhere to fish 1-2 times. I would say for LM bass but really Im up for anything. Any shore fishing or piers within a short/medium drive? Or should I rent a small fishing boat for a half day, if so suggestions on lakes? If the options are not great, and can be patient and fish at home after now that the weather is changing.

 

Ive only fished in FL once, over in Venice/VEnice beach on a private golf course. Those ponds were loaded and caught tons of nice LM. That was 15 years ago, and my only FL fishing.

[geo g]

Well your in the right place.  Go to Turkey Lake right next to Universal Studios.  They have a deal with BPS and rent tracker boats for $35 dollars from first light to noon.  There are 5 boats, and those are the only boats allowed on the lake.  The lake has a bunch of good size bass in it.  But you would have to reserve a boat as soon as possible or they will all be taken.  There is a topo map online of the lake.  I have fished it 6 times and always caught decent bass up to 6 pounds.  If you get a rental P.M. me and I'll give you a bunch of other tips.

It's the best rental deal in the entire country as far as I'm concerned.  Turkey Lake is part of the Orlando Parks Department.  If you go to their site you can get all the information you will need.

 

I just looked at the date your going, but you're probably too late.  Try as soon as possible you might get lucky!  It's worth a try.

[soflabasser]

Orlando and surrounding areas has very good bass fishing so you should be able to have a good time. Do your research and locate bodies of water that you are allowed to fish and do not underestimate the many small ponds that are in the Orlando area. Lots of 8 pound and better bass are caught from those ponds and many of them are only a couple acres in size.

[Fishing_FF]

Yes, any pond or lake in Central Florida can hold a trophy catch bass. If you want to hedge your bets a little, then check out the Fish Orlando program. There are 5 lakes managed by the Florida Wildlife Commission. 

 

Turkey Lake has 4 boats for rent, but the months of February, March, and April usually require booking weeks in advance. 

 

https://myfwc.com/conservation/freshwater/fish-orlando/

[geo g]

You can fish Turkey lake from the shore any time of the day.  There are several fishing piers but I have done better just working the shore line.  Again the boat rental is your best bang for the buck almost anywhere in the country.  

[soflabasser]

Turkey lake is a nice to fish but they only allow you to fish a couple hours on the boat rental. Have fished it both on the boat rental and from land. Have caught quality sized bass from Turkey lake but catch much bigger ones in South Florida on average so it is not a place I plan on visiting anytime soon. With that said it is worth fishing Turkey lake on the boat rental in the morning, eat lunch, and fish the rest of the day from the bank. If you have another day you can fish one of the many ponds in Central Florida which might be the place you catch your next personal best bass from.