It's a Large(mouth) world, after all

Even sport fishermen’s dreams really can come true at the Walt Disney World Resort, where trophy-sized largemouth bass in the 14-pound range sometimes lurk in lakes and canals almost within casting distance of Cinderella Castle.

But this fish story from Disney’s publicity office gets even better: “Wannabe” sports fishermen’s dreams also come true.

On fishing excursions led by expert bass guides, guests with lots of experience -- or with little or no fishing experience -- can all enjoy the exhilarating thrill of a feisty largemouth “striking.” Here are the tour details:

-- Two-hour guided tours are offered daily on an advance-reservation basis.

-- Tours are aboard pontoon boats with the fishing guide at the helm.

-- Boats arrive at the dock fully stocked for the excursion with rods, reels and other fishing gear, cold drinks and a camera to prove you’re not telling “fish stories.”

-- A party of up to five people can participate in the tour.

-- No fishing license is required.

-- It’s a catch-and-release program -- and if you’re timid about handling those critters, that’s not a problem: the bass-guides are there to help.

-- The tour costs $160 for the whole party of one to five guests.

-- Shiners are extra: $13 for one dozen, $23 for two dozen.

-- Typical tour hours that can be arranged are early morning, mid-morning or afternoon.

-- Guests can make reservations up to two weeks in advance at 407/WDW-PLAY (option 4).

The kids have a tour, too. While youngsters can participate in the general bass tours, there’s also a two-hour guided experience designed just for children aged 5 to 12. Cost is $30 per child. Information and reservations are available by calling 407/WDW-PLAY (option 4).

Tours start at Disney’s Polynesian, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness resort docks on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon; at Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts and Disney’s BoardWalk on Crescent Lake; and at Downtown Disney Marketplace and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort. During construction of the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom in the late 1960s, more than 70,000 bass fingerlings were released into Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon next to Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the Magic Kingdom. Organized fishing tours didn’t start until 1977, leaving the bass to grow and breed undisturbed for years.

The result is some spectacular fishing that has even caught the attention of several professional bass fishermen. Jimmy Houston, Hank Parker and Bill Dance have all fished the productive lakes at Walt Disney World Resort. Three professional bass fishing events -- FINS, Bass & Race, and Bass & Golf -- have been held on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon and televised on ESPN.

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