I'm heading to Orlando, Florida in early May for work. It looks like I'll have at least one day to fish down there. We will have a rental car available.

I know nothing but I'd guess there would be good largemouth fishing in or near Orlando itself. I'm guessing that driving to some of the closer places on the coast would be possible but I'm not sure if it is worth it or what opportunites that would open up? Redfish? Tarpon?

I'm not interested in anything that doesn't involve active fishing (casting and/or having the rod in my hand when the fish hits).

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Kaiser D.

Probably some great largemouth lakes within proximity of Orlando. I hear all the little ponds and ditches have bass in them. Not sure if your into bassing, but that would be a great time of year as the lakes would be heating up and it would probably present some opportunities to catch bass, if not tons, if you know what your doing...

You could contact the hotel your staying in and ask the desk what the local opportunities are...

Lake at Downtown Disney, I think there's a guide there. Or contact Bass Pro shop in Orlando.

Drive an hour east and fish what they call the "Space Coast". It's the inland and near-shore waterway near Pt. Canaveral. They catch multiple species there including Redfish. There are guides that work the area.

Click http://www.addictivefishing.com/Charters/ for some more info.

b-rad tgl has been catchin white crappie in the area....

Start researching Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River area. Make the trip over to the coast and spend a day chasing redfish. The area has blossomed into a world class fishery and well worth it.

I fished there and caught a tarpon and a lot of spotted sea trout it was a blast.

Definateley fish Florida, I do it every year, absoluteley love the salt water fishing there.

Peace
Fly

I could be wrong here but take a look into the Red Fish too. I was there two years ago around this time and the fish were in pretty good. That was over in Pensacola area though.

You could also look into heading down to the south to Lake Okochobee. I think that is about an hour and a half away from Orlando mileage wise. I know that there is some good fishing to be had there.

Whatever you do, if you go to the fish the Coast waters or anything salt. Do yourself a favor and get a hold of some wire leaders. Otherwise you will just lose fish left and right, toothy damned bastards over there.

Go West! Call Rob at http://www.gianttarpon.com. Best in the biz from Tarpon springs to Boca. all within 1 to 2 hrs or so from Orlando. Awesome Tarpon in May. Giant tarpon are starting there migration schedule to spawn. They'll be stacked like cord wood in Boca by the end of May waiting for the hill tide and the crab to wash out. You wont be dissapointed. Boats are about 600 for 2 guys for 6 to 7 hrs. We jumped 11 in 2 half days last late May. We were in the pass. You'd probably be cruising the beaches stalking them.

Its the best theme park in Florida. Bar none!

Thanks for all the advice. I'd rather not have to pack a rod with me but I'm considering bringing my own reels since I'm a left-hand retriever. For the bass scene, I'd guess that the Curado 201s with 20 pound braid would be OK. I'm guessing that would also work for redfish and seatrout. What size reels are enough for tarpon? Would a Calcutta 401 with 30 pound braid cut it? Or is that way too light?

Head a little south and east and try the Indian river lagoon anywhere from Sabastian Inlet State Park (just north of Sabastian) south to St. Lucie Inlet which is south of Fort Pierce. You'll find red drum, snook, jack corvalle, pompano, sheephead, and maybe some tarpon. The water is protected from the Atlantic, but it's beautiful and incredibly productive. The wildlife is also spectacular - dolphins, mantatees, crocs, and every type of bird imaginable.

My parents have a retirement home in Florida so I try to visit at least once a year. It's a beautiful place to be, especially if you're fishing.

Good luck.

I'm flying out to Ft. Pierce on Saturday .Watching the Bowl at my Uncle's house then hoppin'on a Cruise to the Bahamas for 4 nights on Royal Caribbean on Monday. My cousin fishes there all the time and recently had to sell a 32' Luhrs due to health problems ( tumor at the base of his spinal cord). Trying to get him out here to try Salmon Or Steelhead fishing while he can. He's only 35 years old. Tarpon and Redfish sound like fun!

REDFISH! REDFISH! REDFISH! on the space coast. Hire a guide and enjoy. Its only an hour s drive from the Orlando area