Lake Okeechobee Fishing Trips
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Target bass, bonefish, redfish, snook, and trout speciesAll equipment provided, fishing licenses required for guestsSmall groups of two guests maximum per trip
Welcome to some of Florida's most productive fishing waters! When you book with Mike Jones Guide Service, you're getting access to two legendary fisheries that consistently deliver trophy catches. Lake Okeechobee, known as the "Big O," is Florida's crown jewel for bass fishing, while the Indian River offers world-class saltwater action. This isn't your typical weekend fishing trip – it's a top-rated adventure where serious anglers come to fill their coolers and make memories. We keep our trips intimate with just 2 guests max, so you'll get personalized attention and prime fishing spots without the crowd. Just grab your fishing license and we'll handle everything else, from tackle to techniques.
Your day starts early when the fish are most active and the Florida sun isn't beating down on us yet. We'll meet at a convenient launch point – meetups can be arranged to fit your schedule – and get you set up with everything you need. The Big O is shallow and weedy in most spots, perfect for working topwater lures and soft plastics around the abundant vegetation. You'll be casting into some of the best bass habitat in the country, where 10-pounders aren't just possible, they're expected. When we hit the Indian River, it's a completely different game. This saltwater paradise runs along Florida's east coast and offers crystal-clear flats where you can sight-fish for reds and snook cruising the shallows. The variety keeps things exciting – one minute you're flipping jigs into heavy cover for bass, the next you're working a live shrimp under a popping cork for trout.
We come equipped with everything you need, but here's what we're working with. For the Big O, we're talking medium-heavy baitcasting setups with 15-20lb fluorocarbon. Topwater action is phenomenal here, especially early morning with buzzing frogs and poppers over the grass beds. When fish go deep, we'll switch to Texas-rigged worms and jigs to punch through the vegetation. The Indian River demands a different approach – lighter spinning gear with 10-12lb braid for the flats work. Live bait is king here, but artificial lures like soft plastics and spoons produce just as well when worked right. We'll be poling the flats, so stealth is crucial. Keep your movements smooth and your voice down – these saltwater fish are spooky in shallow water. Both fisheries require reading the water and adapting quickly, which is where having an experienced guide makes all the difference.
Largemouth Bass are the main attraction on Lake Okeechobee, and for good reason. These Florida strain bass grow fat and aggressive in the nutrient-rich waters, with fish over 8 pounds being caught regularly. Spring months from February through May are prime time when bass are shallow and feeding heavily. What makes these fish special is their fight – they'll jump, run, and use every piece of cover available to throw your hook. The grass beds provide perfect ambush points, so expect explosive strikes when your lure hits the right spot.
Smallmouth Bass might surprise you in these waters, but don't underestimate them. While not as common as their largemouth cousins, smallies in the Big O are scrappy fighters that love rocky areas and drop-offs. They're most active during cooler months and will absolutely test your drag system with their acrobatic fights. These bronze-backed beauties typically run 2-4 pounds but fight like fish twice their size.
Sea Trout in the Indian River are a customer favorite for their abundance and willingness to bite. These speckled beauties love grass flats and drop-offs, especially during moving tides. They're active year-round but really turn on during fall and winter months. Trout hit both live bait and artificials eagerly, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Their delicate mouths require a gentle touch, but once you dial in the technique, you can catch them all day long.
Redfish are the bullies of the flats, and the Indian River holds some of the best populations in Florida. These copper-colored fighters cruise the shallows in schools, often with their backs out of the water. Sight-fishing for reds is addictive – watching a 30-inch fish inhale your bait in 2 feet of water never gets old. They're strong, stubborn fighters that will test your equipment and patience. Best part? They're catchable year-round with peak action during warmer months.
Bonefish represent the ultimate flats fishing challenge in the Indian River. These silver ghosts are incredibly spooky and demand perfect presentations. When hooked, they make blistering runs that can empty your reel in seconds. Most bones here run 3-6 pounds, but their speed and endurance make them feel much larger. They're most active during warmer months and incoming tides. Landing a bonefish on light tackle is a badge of honor that separates casual anglers from serious flats fishermen.
This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to experience two of Florida's most renowned fisheries with a guide who knows every honey hole and seasonal pattern. Whether you're chasing personal bests on the Big O or testing your skills on the technical flats of the Indian River, we've got the local knowledge to put you on fish. Our small group size means you're not fighting for rod time or prime spots. Everything's provided except your license, so all you need to bring is your enthusiasm and maybe a cooler for your catch. Don't wait on this one – the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. Book your Lake Okeechobee fishing adventure today and find out why anglers keep coming back to these world-class waters year after year.
This motorboat is perfectly set up for targeting the diverse fish populations across Lake Okeechobee and Indian River. The onboard GPS keeps you positioned over the best fishing spots, while the fish finder helps locate schools of bass, redfish, and snook holding in deeper water or around structure. Built for two anglers, there's plenty of room to work your lines without getting tangled up with your fishing partner. The boat handles the transition from Okeechobee's expansive open water to the Indian River's winding channels with ease, getting you to productive waters where largemouth bass stack up around grass beds and trout cruise the flats. Whether you're casting topwater plugs at first light or working live bait along the shoreline, this setup puts you in prime position to hook into Florida's best freshwater and inshore gamefish.
Albula VulpesThe "gray ghost" of the flats - these silver bullets average 16-30 inches and 4-8 pounds of pure speed. Bonefish cruise shallow grass flats and sandy areas in just inches of water, often "tailing" while they dig for crabs and shrimp. Incoming tides bring the best opportunities as they move up to feed. What makes bonefishing addictive is the sight-fishing challenge and their legendary runs - they'll peel 100+ yards of line in seconds. Most anglers release them since they're bony, but the fight is the real prize. Stealth is everything with bones - they spook easily, so approach quietly and cast well ahead of cruising fish. Watch for their dark shadows or tails breaking the surface, and remember: if you can see them clearly, they can probably see you too.
Micropterus SalmoidesThese are the classic bass everyone thinks about - thick-bodied fighters averaging 12-24 inches and 1-4 pounds, though Lake O produces some real giants. Look for them around vegetation, fallen timber, and drop-offs in 3-15 feet of water. They're most active early morning and evening, especially during spring and fall when water temps are in the 60s-70s. What makes largemouth so popular is that explosive strike and the way they jump when hooked - pure adrenaline. They're also excellent eating with firm, white meat. Pro tip: when fishing the thick grass mats on Okeechobee, punch through with a heavy tungsten weight and let your bait fall straight down - that's where the big ones hide in the cool shade below.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored bulldozers averaging 20-35 inches, with that distinctive black spot near their tail. These fish love super shallow water - often so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up, but they bite year-round in our waters. What makes reds special is their power and that classic "thump-thump" headshake fight, plus they're fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. They're not picky eaters either, hitting everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. Local secret: look for nervous water or "pushes" on calm mornings - that's redfish feeding just under the surface. Cast a gold spoon past the disturbance and work it back slowly.
Salmo TruttaAlso called speckled trout, these beautiful fish run 14-24 inches and pack amazing flavor into their 1-5 pound frames. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow bays in 2-8 feet of water, especially around structure like oyster bars and dock pilings. They bite best during moving tides, particularly early morning and evening when baitfish are active. Trout are a favorite because they're aggressive feeders and excellent table fare - soft, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key is not to overcook them since the meat is delicate. My go-to technique here is drifting live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds - keep the cork popping every few seconds to mimic feeding sounds, and when it disappears, set the hook gently.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth are scrappy fighters that'll test your drag system - typically 18-20 inches and 2-6 pounds of pure muscle. They prefer clearer water with rocky or hard bottom structure, usually hanging in 8-20 feet around ledges and drop-offs. Best fishing happens during cooler months when they move shallow, or early morning and late evening in summer. What sets smallmouth apart is their tenacious fight - they'll jump, dive, and make long runs that'll surprise you. The meat is fantastic too, firmer and slightly sweeter than largemouth. Here's a local trick: use a weightless soft plastic rigged wacky-style and let it slowly sink near rocky structure - the subtle action drives them crazy and you'll get that satisfying thump every time.
South Bay