Headed to Orlando in a few weeks and won't really have time to run over to Toho or Okechobee. Staying near the Disney resorts. Anyone have info on decent fishing around that area with and without a boat. Looks like there's tons of small lakes around that area. Guides? Probably only have either a half day or maybe one day if we use a guide. Driving down so I can bring a couple of rods and a small amount of gear. Last time we went we stayed at a Marriott and I used the crappy, worn out Zebco 33 they had and pulled in a 5 and a half pounder, so I know some of these little lakes have a couple of decent bass in em. We'll be at the Marriott at International and Central Florida Pkwy. Thanks boys!

If you don't have time to drive from Disney's property to West Lake Toho, you probably don't have time to drive to any of the other lakes either. It's 15 to 30 miles from the Disney park area to ramps on West Toho (depending on whether you meet a guide on the east or west side of the lake, there are ramps on both). I'd go with Toho; you'll have endless cover to flip. Fish often stack up in reeds and under cover for the summer so be sure to take a flipping stick, or at least your favorite flipping reel to put on a rod you borrow from a guide. Tell the guide to get you some bags of whatever bug they are eating. I have a 20 year history fishing central to southern FL lakes - lived there.

I've not done a "Disney fishing trip" but have heard they are not what a typical bass fisherman would be happy with. They are for people who really don't fish who want to burn a lot of cash quickly.

Won't have a boat, so unless I get a guide I'll just have to fish some of the small lakes I can bank fish from. Guide recommendations on Toho? I don't want to shiner fish...at all. Thanks Flippin!

They rent boats for fishing in the Disney property lakes.

I've heard that the fish in those lakes are very "angler educated" and can be reluctant to eat anything other than a live shiner. Again, not confirmed by my personal experience, but I don't doubt it and would not spend my time on their lakes.

Big Toho Marina is right in the town of Kissimmee, so is very close to the Disney properties. You should be able to book a guide for artificial-only fishing on a standard bass boat via the Marina. I see they list half-day (4 hours) for $300. If you book a trip, be certain they know you're doing artificial only. A lot of the vegetation is on the northern half of the lake and it's not that big, so you will spend less time running and more time fishing than you might on some Texas lakes. I suggest you do morning and start early in case you can get some topwater bites. The brutal heat that builds during the day will push into the night, so afternoon fishing will be uncomfortable to say the least. I can remember nights where the temp was still 90+ at 11 PM newstime there! The website is: http://www.bigtoho.com/guide-service.html

You might try getting on a Florida fishing forum or Facebook group and trying to link up with a local that’s already going to be fishing while you’re there.

That's certainly worth a shot.

I agree with the above posts....Toho is not far at all from disney property. You can hire a guide for a half day and just grab an UBER to Lakefront park in Kissimmee. I have done that a few times.

Call Chuck Pippen 407-580-8458 he will come to your hotel and pick you up. Wife and I went with him in March of 2020 we whacked em, caught 40 fish up to 8.5lbs, he will put you on fish as he runs about 280 trips a year

Was that during the spawn David? Techniques? Live bait? Full day? Etc, etc. PM if ya want. Headed down there next week.

Awesome...looks like momma caught the "big un"!

Post spawn, we were throwing flukes in hydrilla edges in 20 foot of water, full day $500 I think - he’s worth every penny

I used to travel to Orlando for business regularly. I would look on google maps for small ponds near whatever hotel I was staying at and fish those. I caught a ton of fish that way with just a small telescoping rod that I could put in my roller board and handful of flukes. There are small ponds/lakes everywhere down there. Just make sure and be on the lookout for gators.

Awesome...looks like momma caught the "big un"!

Did the Disney based trip...Honestly it was a waste as they want you to use live bait and when I told them I did tournaments and wanted to throw actual baits he was very happy to do so as he was also a tournament guy. The issue though, it's like a 2 hour window and expensive as heck.

Next time I will be going to Toho or the like and getting a 1/2 day trip.