Ask any 10-year-old and they will assure you that Walt Disney World is the capital of Florida. For most families with kids or teens, this attraction is the No. 1 priority when visiting Florida. But it will take more than a weekend (or even a week) to cover Disney’s 47-square-mile kingdom. To make the most of your time, Disney has a free DVD vacation planner to help you map out the perfect trip.

“Most people don’t realize that Disney World is more than just the Magic Kingdom, says Dave Herbst, Walt Disney media spokesperson. “We actually have four theme parks the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom two water parks Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Downtown West End, Marketplace and Pleasure Island.

If you do plan to spend the majority of your vacation at Disney World, you will save time and money by staying at one of the 25 onsite hotels, which range in price and style from affordable to luxurious. Staying onsite offers several advantages: customized ticket packages, meal plans, hassle-free transportation between hotels and parks, and extended hours at the parks.

For a unique vacation experience, try Disneys Animal Kingdom Lodge. This luxury accommodation is surrounded by a 33-acre savannah with more than 30 species of African wildlife that can be viewed from your private balcony.

Some of the fun educational activities offered at the Lodge include animal tracking and safaris, African crafts and games, and folktales told nightly around the outdoor Arusha Rock fire pit. At Bomo Flavors of Africa, a family-friendly buffet offering breakfast and dinner, happy vacationers can experience cuisine from 50 African countries. Adults will enjoy the AAA Four-Diamond Jiko, The Cooking Place, which boasts the worlds largest selection of South African wines, as well as excellent multicultural cuisine.

Although Orlando is known for its great theme parks Disney, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, Sea World and Cypress Gardens (Orlandos very first theme park) the area offers a wealth of other fun and educational opportunities. Downtown Orlando is home to the Orlando Science Center with multiple floors of hands-on exhibits for kids, giant-screen films and the largest refractor telescope in Florida. And if you happen to be in town during basketball season, get tickets to see the NBAs Orlando Magic.

Interested in Biblical history? Orlando has a very unique theme park that will take you back in time 2,000 years. The Holy Land Experience explores the ancient city of Jerusalem through biblical exhibits, models and performances.

While Orlando boasts 52 million square feet of retail shopping and nine world-class malls, for kid-friendly shopping that will earn you a parent-of-the-year award, visit the 4,400-square-foot, free-standing LEGO Imagination Center and the largest Disney character store on earth, both located at Downtown Disney. Grab lunch at Bahama Breeze Island Grill and enjoy a tropical setting with an outstanding menu of fresh Caribbean-inspired dishes for adults and kids. Since you are in Florida, be sure to order their famous Rebeccas Key Lime Pie.

Several of Floridas state parks (161 in total) are within easy driving distance of Orlando and offer a variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Blue Spring State Park, with the largest spring on St. Johns River, is a designated Manatee Refuge and winter home (mid-November to March) for a growing number of West Indian Manatees. Bring a picnic lunch and cool off in the 72-degree spring where you can swim, snorkel or scuba dive. Cabins are also available for overnight stays.

You don’t have to go all the way to the Everglades to experience Floridas wetlands and wildlife. Several locations in and around Orlando offer airboat rides as well as full and half-day fishing trips. Orlando is one of the most popular places in the world to go bass fishing, the home of the BASS Masters Classic and just got to visit place for any fishermen in the family is fun for the whole family.

Heres a wave of grown-up-style fun redefining the Orlando experience,” says Amy Scott, relations representative for the Orlando Visitors Bureau. “From trendy restaurants and couture shopping to brand-name luxury hotels and spas and a growing cultural arts scene, adults have a variety of sophisticated new experiences to indulge in.”

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is one of those luxury hotel resorts that aims to be for adults what Disney World is for children. This 1,500-acre resort includes an equestrian center, racquet club, fitness center, lake, pitch and putt golf course, and a one-half-acre pool with several waterfalls and a swim-through grotto and bar. With 45 acres of natural Florida terrain, including a nature area and Audubon Walk with elevated boardwalk, you will find it hard to believe you are almost next door to Disneys Downtown area. While at the resort, dont miss the superb seven-course wine-pairing dinner at La Coquina Chefs Table a perfect spot for a romantic celebration.

Want an adult vacation that will allow you to bring your extended family? The Ginn Reunion Resort, located just six miles south of Disney World, is the perfect spot to satisfy everyones vacation itineraries. Accommodations include a choice of condominiums, villas and multi-family homes. The resort is within easy reach of the theme parks, yet miles away from the hustle and bustle. Guests enjoy three signature golf courses, a fitness center, tennis courts, a rooftop pool and lounge, a full-service spa and excellent food at Forte, a contemporary chophouse. Relax or play at the resort or spend the day away.

If your’e still a kid at heart and would like to enjoy some of the theme parks at a more leisurely pace, visit Epcot in the evening and take the 1.3-mile walk around the 11 countries in World Showcase. Stop for dinner in Germany to enjoy folk dancing and an oompah band, belly dancers in Morocco, or singing waiters in Italy. Be sure to stay for the IllumiNations nightly outdoor show of fireworks, music and laser lights.

Another option is Disneys Hollywood Studios and Universal Studios, both of which offer sights and activities for those who would rather skip the zero-gravity thrill rides. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, stop in the Brown Derby Restaurant to view sketches of famous Hollywood stars and sample their famous Cobb Salad and Grapefruit Cake.

If you enjoy the nightclub scene, both Universal City Walk and Downtown Disneys Pleasure Island offer a variety of musical and comedy clubs. Two shows you wont want to miss are the famous Cirque du Soleil, La Nouba, with its mesmerizing acrobatics and stunning costumes (Disneys West End), and the Blue Man Group offering a unique evening of music, comedy and multimedia theatrics (Universal Studios).

Enjoy a traveling Broadway show or Orlandos own ballet, opera or Philharmonic orchestra at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre in downtown Orlando. The downtown area is also home to several museums, including the Orlando Museum of Art the Mennello Museum of American Art and the Orange County Regional History Center, a Smithsonian affiliate. Dont miss the Harry P. Leu Gardens, a 50-acre botanical park featuring the largest documented collection of camellias in the nation.

Take a day to get off the beaten path with a trip to the quaint, brick-lined town of Winter Park. Stroll down Park Avenue with its upscale boutiques and restaurants, and be sure to sample the famous chocolate popcorn at Peterbrook Chocolatier. Have lunch at Caf de France, a favorite with locals who appreciate its authentic French food and excellent service.

After lunch, visit The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, which is home to the worlds most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, including an elaborate chapel interior. End your relaxing day with a scenic one-hour boat tour on Lake Osceola.

Whether you plan to ride every theme park ride, explore the cultured side of the city or simply cocoon yourself at a luxury resort or enjoy a day of bass fishing on of the lakes, Orlando has it all!

 Well this is my 4th day with Phillip and its going to be a good day on Lake Okeechobee. Yesterday we discussed all of the options for other locations to fish and explained that there was a tournament on the lake and asked he would be intersted in fishing it with me. He got really excited and almost yelled, yes I would love to!

My game plane was to fish down South where I’ve been catching some good fish first thing in the morning. We missed a few good fish, then Phillip new what to do with another bait of his own, he then caught the next fish it was about 3 pounds… good job Phillip, his first Okeechobee bass. After the bite slowed down we moved to a flipping area that I have but the fish did not bite so we moved to another spot, caught a few more fish to get our limit of just under 14 pounds. First place had 20lbs, Second was 14.8 and third was 14.4 and we came in fourth place that was good for 20 plus boat field.

Phillip was so happy about fishing his first tournament he decided to fish next Sunday tournament also.

 He will be back next week for another 4 day sunrise to sunset trips.

 If you are visiting South or Central Florida for work or vacation and want to experience the best bass fishing that there is to offer then please give us a call. We can be reached at (888) 629-BASS or email me…

 Capt Brett
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The fishing in Central Florida is improving each day as anglers are catching nice bass in the 4- to 8-pound class and bluegills are still hitting.

Anglers are continuing to fishing at night around the full moon and are catching some nice speckled perch on minnows and large mouth bass on top water.

The Winter Haven Chain is giving up 10 to 20 speckled perch per angler who are using minnows for bait.

The best lakes for these panfish are Cannon, Jessie, Mirror and Hartridge. Bass are biting in Winterset, Summit and Lulu.

Plastic worms and/or live shiners are still producing the best results. Plenty of bluegill are still being caught on crickets out of Howard, Eloise, Jessie and Idyllwild.

Most are being caught in the evening just after dark while fishing on the bottom. Speckled perch also are being caught at night on minnows while drifting with minnows.

A few bass in the 2- to 5-pound class were caught during the week on plastic worms.

A few guides who fish on Lake Ashton, said speckled perch are hitting good at night on minnows. Bass are hitting spinner baits in the late afternoon when the wind blows. Bluegills are still being caught while fishing with crickets.

Anglers trying their luck at night for speckled perch in Lake Silver are averaging about 10 per boat while fishing with live minnows. There is plenty of bluegill action in this lake. Bass are hitting crank baits while slow trolling.

Guides reported last week bass were hitting shiners good at night on Lake Mariana. They caught five bass in less than an hour, with the largest tipping the scales at 11 pounds.

Try your luck this week in Lake Elbert with minnows as the speckled perch are beginning to hit in this lake while drifting at night. A few bass in the 3- to 8-pound range were caught on spinner baits in late afternoon. Bluegills are still hitting crickets.

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  Hello everybody its been awhile, I have been on the road a lot and it sure is good to fish at home. The lake “Okeechobee” that is, is looking great and I am going out on the limb by saying this could be one of the best winters in the last 10 years.

 There is more cover(vegetation) to fish than I have ever remember. The cover is a little different than the past years, there is going to be a lot of adventures this year as we try to follow and locate these big bass…the up side is we should have plenty of water to ourselves.

 Just getting back from New York fishing Lake Champlain on the FLW tour, a beautiful lake good fishing but it’s nice to see Florida largemouth again, there giants here compared to Champlain. Today, I fished with Harry Swauger and his father both are very good fishermen with baitcasters and/or spinning reels, today they were on top of there game. We fished the glades and caught good size fish most of the day. The biggest fish of the day was 9lb largemouth, it sure is good to see how healthy Florida bass are.

 Well, I hate to run, but I have to go to Clarks Hill for the last FLW series tournament of the year. I will be back in about two weeks, I hope to bring some of the cooler weather with me. If we get some cool weather while I am gone that will be the thing to fire these fish up!

Until then good fishing…If you are visiting South or Central Florida for work or vacation and want to experience the best fishing that there is to offer then please give me a call. We can be reached @ (888) 629-BASS or email me below.

Good fishing,

Capt Mark Shepard
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To all bass anglers, if you considered yourself a “river rat,” you will be happy to know when fishing the north end of Okeechobee you now have the option of using the Kissimmee river again.

The locks at S65E and the new tailwater weir on the Kissimmee River above Lake Okeechobee were opened on Wednesday.

Anglers and boaters can now navigate north and south through the lock and weir during regular operating hours.

Those hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays year-round; 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from March 1 to Oct. 31; and 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from Nov. 1 to Feb. 28.

Farther north, the section of the river at the north end of the restored river is closed to boats.

For information, call the SFWMD in Okeeechobee at 800-250-4200 and in Orlando at 800-250-4250.

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 Today I had the pleasure of taking out Shawn and Kelly from Ohio out on the Okeechobee . We started out on the South end of the lake in a spot that I’ve been doing good in since the recent storms. So, we can fish in the grass again and Shawn which is a real good fisherman caught on to throwing the frog really good. The frog is a top water bait and all of our fish came off the frog on this day, we had about 20 largemouth bass with several fish over 5 pounds.

Below is a testimonial Shawn &  sent  after there trip!

Shawn and I wanted to let you know we had a wonderful time.  It was Shawn’s dream to fish Lake Okeechobee for years and now I know why.  When Capt Brett took us out he made sure that we did have the trip of a lifetime. It was really exciting seeing the size of these bass on Okeechobee, its just not what we are used to in Ohio. You could not have taken the smile off of our face that day. He is still talking about it and probably will for the rest of his life. We don’t get to vacation much, but he is already planning a trip back. Shawn is in love with the lake and BIG fish…ha ha and thanks to you guys I will get to vacation more often.  I just wanted to let you know you completed a dream for us and we will be back every year. The guide service couldn’t have been any better, honestly it exceeded all of our expectations. Capt Brett is a great guy and fishing guide, he made sure we had an unbelievable time catching big bass. The fishing was just as unbelievable we can’t say enough.

Thanks again and hope to see you soon, again thanks for your wonderful service,

Kelly and Shawn Smith

If you are visiting South or Central Florida for work or vacation and want to experience the best bass fishing that there is to offer then please give us a call. We can be reached at (888) 629-BASS or email us fishing@bassonline.com

Capt Brett
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Three construction teams will beef up repair work at Lake Okeechobee’s aging dike in South Florida.

The Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $29 million contract on Wednesday to Hayward Baker of Maryland. A reinforcing wall is being built through the middle of the earthen dike and a supporting berm will be added around the outside. Two other companies were already approved to start work this month.

The 143-mile, 70-year-old Herbert Hoover Dike protects lakeside communities from flooding.

The companies will shore up the most vulnerable section, a 22-mile stretch between Port Mayaca and Belle Glade.

The project is projected to cost more than $800 million and take until 2030.

Summer storms prompted the corps to start dumping lake water out to sea to ease the strain on the dike.

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 A mere rainstorm isn’t enough to discourage FWC fisheries biologist Don Fox from working in Lake Okeechobee to ensure the lake’s good health. Fox was excited to find this clump of coontail growing on its own in the lake. Coontail is important to nurturing the bottom of the food chain that makes the lake a world-class fishery.

OKEECHOBEE — It used to be nasty, worthless muck inhibiting plants and wildlife at the bottom of the lake; now, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, that same muck is supporting turkeys, turtles, several types of mammals and even a covey of quail.

Don Fox, a commission biologist, said muck dredged from the bottom of Lake Okeechobee to help re-establish the plant life that nurtures the lake’s world-class fishery has been used to build islands, and a variety of plants thriving on the dried-out muck provide food and cover for the animals.

Lawson Snyder, the commission’s deputy director of habitat and species conservation, said the dredging began in 2001 when drought lowered the lake level, was postponed when hurricanes in 2004 and 2005 filled the lake and restarted this summer when the lake was at a record low.

“I won’t say a drought is ever a good thing,” Snyder said, “but it did give us the opportunity to get in and get this work done.”

Since then, Tropical Storm Fay has raised the lake to about 15 feet; but Snyder said the man-made islands in the marshy northwest still rise above the water.

“Even at 16 feet, you can pull up to the islands,” he said.

Snyder said the islands do not contain any of the arsenic-contaminated muck that was scraped from southern Lake Okeechobee and hauled away.

“All of the muck is tested before it’s used,” he said, “and everything in the area of the lake where the islands were made had either no contaminates or levels that were low enough to be acceptable for use.”

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(Sep. 29, 2008 - Okeechobee, FL)… Boater Alex Picos of Davie, Fla., won the Walmart Bass Fishing League Everglades Division Super Tournament on Lake Okeechobee with a two-day catch of 10 bass weighing 38 pounds, 14 ounces. The victory earned Picos $3,560 plus a $628 Ranger bonus.

Picos said he used a shad-colored soft-plastic jerkbait to target bass hugging isolated grass on the main lake.

Rounding out the top five boaters are Brandon McMillan of Belle Glade, Fla. (10 bass, 38-08, $2,095); Rene Gonzales of Lauderhill, Fla. (10 bass, 37-14, $1,396); Steve Fairtrace of Okeechobee, Fla. (10 bass, 36-10, $978) and Bryan Honnerlaw of Moore Haven, Fla. (10 bass, 35-10, $838).

Greg Sorrell of Fort Myers, Fla., took home the Boater Division Snickers Big Bass award, earning $465 for an 8-pound, 8-ounce bass that he caught on a trick worm on an 18-foot ledge.

Raymond Riendeau of Saint Cloud, Fla., earned $2,095 as the co-angler winner thanks to 10 bass weighing 29 pounds, 1 ounce that he caught while fishing a soft plastic frog near isolated grass.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Brock Stanaland of Jupiter, Fla. (seven bass, 24-14, $1,047); William Wood of West Palm Beach, Fla. (10 bass, 24-02, $700); Robert Wood of Jupiter (nine bass, 23-11, $489) and Ernie Johnson of Okeechobee, Fla. (nine bass, 22-10, $419).

Stanaland earned $116 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 5-pound, 3-ounce bass that he caught on a white soft-plastic frog.

It’s so great to see really good catch results on lake Okeechobee once again, the lake is on it way back!

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