Largemouth Bass Trips on Lake Okeechobee
This is the trip that brings most anglers to the Big O. Lake Okeechobee is one of the best largemouth fisheries in the country, and a day chasing Florida-strain bass through its grass, pads, and reed lines is something you’ll remember. Some anglers come to hunt a true trophy; others just want a good day with a real shot at a big fish. Either way, I’ll build the trip around you.
I launch from Roland & Mary Ann Martin Marina in Clewiston and run to whatever cover is producing that day aboard my 23-foot Key West bay boat — a comfortable, stable rig that fishes up to four anglers. I handle the boat, the spots, and the coaching — you just bring sun protection, polarized sunglasses, and a good attitude.
Built Around Live Wild Shiners
This trip centers on live wild shiners — my specialty and the most effective way there is to fool a trophy Okeechobee largemouth. A lively native shiner fished along the reed and grass edges is a bite waiting to happen, and I work them around the points, cuts, and thicker clumps where big fish ambush.
It’s also the most beginner-friendly way to fish: when that cork goes down, the excitement is electric, and your odds of a quality fish are excellent. Shiners are my top recommendation for just about everybody on this trip — trophy hunters and families alike — and the reason most anglers book it.
Artificials on Request
Prefer to cast and work for your bites? Artificial-lure trips are available on request. Depending on the season and conditions, that means flipping and pitching plastics into heavy grass and pads, working topwater frogs along the edges in low light, and covering water with swimbaits, lipless cranks, and bladed jigs. It’s hands-on, technical, and a ton of fun for anglers who want to earn it. Just let me know when you book, and we can also mix both in a day.
What to Expect
- We’ll talk goals before we leave the dock and set the plan around the bite.
- I’ll have everything rigged and ready, and I’ll coach as much or as little as you want.
- The cooler-month spawn (roughly December–April) is the trophy season, but bass bite year-round.
- Early-morning starts often produce the best topwater and the most active fish in warmer months.
Who It’s For
This trip works for everyone. Seasoned anglers will appreciate fishing fresh, productive water with someone who knows the lake; beginners and families will love the steady action and the chance at a big fish, especially on shiners. I love a good family charter — Mom, Dad, and the kids are all welcome aboard.
Book a Bass Trip
I run 4-, 6-, and 8-hour trips. Reach out with your dates and what you’re after, and let’s put together a day on the Big O.