Shellcracker Fishing - Lake Okeechobee Guide Service


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Shellcracker fishing on Lake Okeechobee with a Florida fishing guide service that is USCG licensed and approved to operate on Lake Okeechobee.

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Shellcracker fishing: Best Time To Fish

During the spawn shellcrackers are highly vulnerable to being caught easily. The male shellcracker after establishing their nesting area which are usually the same spawning sites year after year, will become very aggressive. They will in fact strike at anything that intrudes into their nesting territory.

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Shellcracker fishing: Spawning Months

Redear (shellcracker) will spawn as the water temperature nears 70 - this may be as early as March and last as late as September. The male shellcracker begins building a dish shaped nest that is a round sandy depression that is 2 - 4 inches deep and from 8 - 24 inches wide. Shellcrackers gather in large colonies during the spawn. There are dozens of nests side by side in an area of 50 - 75 square feet. Shellcracker spawning activities also cycle around the full moon periods. The 5 day period before and after the full moon is a great time to catch a limit of them.

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RATES UP-DATED JUNE 1, 2007

Shellcracker Fishing
Lake Okeechobee Year-Round
2 Half Day 1 Night Special

This Special Rate of only $165.00 is for 1 person and includes: 2 (four hour) half days of shellcracker fishing, 1 night of motel lodging free of charge, USCG licensed guide, bass boat, fuel and all tackle.

We require 2 persons on our Special Rate:

TOTAL COST OF PACKAGE FOR 2 PERSONS IS ONLY $330.00

Required Deposit for 2 persons is $165.00

Third person 2 half day 1 night rate charge is $100.00 additional and includes 2 (four hour) half days of shellcracker fishing, 1 room for 3 persons for 1 night of motel lodging free of charge, USCG licensed guide, bass boat, fuel and all tackle.

Required Deposit for 3rd. person is $100.00

TOTAL COST OF PACKAGE FOR 3 PERSONS IS ONLY $430.00

florida bass fishingPARTICULARS: 1) your first 4 hour half day session of fishing is during the afternoon of your first day from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.

2)
After fishing you would check in and stay the night free of charge.

3) your second 4 hour half day session of fishing is on the following day during the morning from 6:30 a.m to 10:30 a.m.

STUFF NOT INCLUDED

1) Fishing license. They can be purchased online on my web site or locally.

2) Live bait: crickets, worms and minnows which are at the clients cost can be purchased locally.

3) Soft drinks, food & ice. These items can be purchased locally.

4) Rain Gear. Inexpensive rain wear is recommended.

5) Gratuities
for your guide are not included in the above rate.

6) Guides do not clean fish.

Bag limit for shellcrackers (red ears) is 50 per person per day. Possession limit is two days' bag limit per licensed angler.

Click here for shellcracker fishing half and full day rates information.

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Included Lodging Information

Motel lodging at the Glades Inn is provided only on our 2 half day 1 night special fishing package. Check in is after a party completes their afternoon session of fishing. A Party who would like to arrive prior to the day they start fishing can reserve an additional night of lodging at the Glades Inn or any of the below listed motels.

LODGING REFUNDS

We offer a courtesy lodging refund in the amount of $25.00 for the 1 night of lodging that is included with the 2 half day 1 night special fishing rate. This credit will be subtracted from a party's 2 half day 1 night fishing package rate total cost in the event that the Glades Inn is closed, the special package is booked up, the party would prefer to stay somewhere else other then at the Glades Inn, or have other lodging options available such as a RV camper, trailer home, camping out, staying with friends, etc.

LODGING RECOMMENDED

Ron's Guide Service recommends the Holiday Inn or Best Western in either the town of Clewiston on U.S. 27 which is 25 miles south of where we meet in the town of Lakeport or the town of Okeechobee on route 441 which is 21 miles north of where we meet in the town of Lakeport.
Holiday Inn (Clewiston 863-983-5100), (Okeechobee 863-357-3529)
Best Western (Clewiston 877-478-1700), (Okeechobee 863-357-7100)
You can also make reservations and stay at the Lakeport Lodge in the town of Lakeport (863-946-2020). The Lakeport Lodge is located behind Beck's Store where we meet.
See the aerial view on my web site
"Directions" link for location.

Here is a list of other motels you can make reservations in the town of Okeechobee and Clewiston:

OKEECHOBEE MOTELS
HOLIDAY INN
on SR 441 Ph: 863-357-3529 or 800-465-4329
BEST WESTERN on SR 441 Ph: 863-357-7100 or 800-305-6237
FLAMINGO MOTEL on SR 441 Ph: 863-763-6100
TRAVELERS INN on N. Parrott Ave. Ph: 863-763-3146
BUDGET INN on SR 441 Ph: 863-763-3185
ECONOMY INN on SR 441 Ph: 863-763-1148
PIER II MOTEL on SR 441 Ph: 863-763-3146
TREASURE ISLAND MOTEL on SR 441 Ph: 863-763-2895
TROPIC MOTEL on S. Parrott Ave. Ph: 863-467-0053
WANTA LINGA MOTEL on SR 441 Ph: 863-763-1020 or 800-754-0428

CLEWISTON MOTELS
HOLIDAY INN
on U.S. 27 Ph: 863-983-5100 or 800-313-4591
BEST WESTERN on U.S. 27 Ph: 863-983-3400 or 877-478-1700
EXECUTIVE ROYAL INN on U.S. 27 Ph: 863-983-3141
MOTOR INN on U.S. 27 Ph: 863-983-4115
WEST EXPRESS INN on U.S. 27 Ph: 863-983-9161
RELAX INN on U.S. 27 Ph: 863-983-9309
PLAZA TRAVEL INN on U.S. 27 Ph: 863-983-5181
ANGLER’S MARINA MOTEL off of U.S. 27 Ph: 863-983-2277
Clewiston Inn off of U.S. 27 Ph: 1-800-749-4466

CAMP GROUNDS, TENT CAMPING, RV PARKS, ETC:
This type of information is best answered by the local Chamber of Commerce. The Moore Haven number is 863-946-0440. Clewiston number is 863-983-7979 and the Okeechobee number is 863-763-6464

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Reservation Requirements

The above rate is for 2 persons per boat.
The rate for a third person as noted above is additional.
Bass boats cannot carry more than 4 persons (guide included).
Reservation deposits are listed after each rate and can be made by
money order, certified check, or
online by credit card
Personal checks are not accepted.
Remaining balance due is payable upon arrival by Cash or Money Order only.
We do not accept credit cards or personal checks on the balance due.

Reservation date/s are final and can not be rescheduled.
Reservation deposits are non-refundable in the event of a cancellation. See our:
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY

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How To Make Reservations

Click here to make reservations online with a credit card

MONEY ORDER DEPOSIT
To make reservations by U.S.Postal Mail Service, UPS or FedEx

Click here to print out the required RESERVATION FORM
you will need to mail out with your money order deposit to make reservations
by U.S.Postal Mail Service, UPS, FedEx, etc.

Click here for DIRECTIONS to Ron's Guide Service.

Click here for LOCATION MAP to Ron's Guide Service.

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Reservation Confirmation

Ron's Guide Service
will e-mail a written confirmation upon receipt of a party's reservation deposit confirming receipt of deposit, the total cost of the fishing trip that would include the guide rate, the date of the reserved fishing trip, lodging date if applicable, credit card fee if applicable, where to meet, time to meet, balance due upon arrival and other information.

The total cost of the fishing trip and balance due upon arrival (minus the deposit) will florida crappie fishingalso be listed to ensure that there are no additional hidden fees or charges whatsoever!!!

I can "promise" you that you will not be supprised will a bill for any additional fees at the end of your fishing trip!!!

It is the booking party's responsibility to e-mail me back as soon as you receive my e-mail confirmation verifying that the information containted in it is correct.

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Lake Okeechobee Rim & Access Canal Areas We Guide Fish On

We primarily guide fish on Lake Okeechobee, the rim canals that surround Lake Okeechobee and the boat ramp access canals that give boaters access to Lake Okeechobee. A client will be fishing either out on Lake Okeechobee or just in the rim canals and/or access canals depending on where the fish have been located or thought to be holding by your guide. Your guide has sole priority over the area chosen to fish which is determined by the fishing conditions, the weather conditions, windy conditions and/or low water conditions which would make fishing out on the big lake not safe and dangerous.

We are presently fishing Okeechobee's boat ramp access canals and rim canals due to the low water conditions on Lake Okeechobee which has moved the fish into Okeechobee's deep water canals.
See the latest
fishing reports and photos of fish caught in the canals.

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Boats and Equipment

Florida shellcracker fishing is done in comfort and safety from a 18 - 20 foot fully rigged bass boat or 18 - 20 foot airboat. All boats have a ice cooler for food and soft drinks, livewell and plenty of storage which will make your day an enjoyment. All guide boats are also equipped with VHF Marine Radio and/or Cellular Phone. U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD's for each person are carried as required by law.

Here's Captain Ron's new 2006 Diamondback 20 foot custom crafted airboat.

This one of a kind huge airboat on Lake Okeechobee is powered by a 496 cubic inch GM Levitator 8.1 HO fuel in-jected motor that has a horse power ranting of 425 - 450 hp. A CH 2.1 gear reduction box that turns a 3 blade ultra wide Q series Sensenich propeller 4800 rpm and a custom built stainless steel exhaust system makes this airboat the quietest airboat you will ever ride in.
I have not to date had a client ask for ear plugs!
Custom built into the deck is a large insulated livewell and cooler. There are also 7 other large built in below deck and 2 under the seat storage compartments. A custom installed 80 lb. trust Minn-Kota trolling motor, 2 front mounted fishing seats, a 6 foot bench seat and full walk around deck make fishing from this airboat a true pleasure. A fold down bimini top is an added pleasure of providing shade and rain protection during a party's fishing trip.

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Things To Bring

Rain gear, camera, sun screen, cap and other such items.crappie fishing, lake okeechobee, uscg licensed, guide service A light or ultra light action spinning rod and reel combo spooled with 6 - 8 pound test line, jigging pole with 6 - 8 lb. test line, jigs (assorted colors), beetle-spins (assorted colors) 1/16 - 1/64 oz., small (quarter size) bobbers, small size # 6 or 8 hooks, small size split shots and a 50 to 60 quart cooler for keeping your fish in. All guide fishing boats have a ice cooler storage compartment for soft drinks and food. Ice for the guide boat food and soft drinks cooler as well as the fish holding cooler can be purchased locally. Rods and reels as well as terminal tackle (hooks, floats, weights, etc.) are furnished free of charge by Ron's Guide Service. We provide artificial lures on a you replace it if you loose it basis. We do not provide live bait. Live bait can be purchased locally.

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Seasonal Weather

Winter's general day temperature is 75 degrees. Nights and mornings are cool to cold. Late spring and early fall days are in the 80's. Summer days range in the 80's - 90's. Rainfall during the winter, early spring and late fall is slight. Brief afternoon showers are common in late spring, throughout the summer and early fall. Guides fish "rain or shine and under all weather conditions". Rain gear is a must bring item. If you are fishing during the winter months, be sure to bring some warm clothing with you -- it can get quite cold at times.
Hopefully bad weather does not interfere with your reserved fishing trip. We do not offer rain checks or a refund in the event a party is not able to fish due to bad weather conditions. We have no control over the weather and therefore we cannot be responsible for the disruption of your trip due to bad weather. Please bring rain gear with you. If bad weather moves in the decision to leave is up to the guide.

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Florida Fishing License

A Florida fishing license is required to fish in Florida. Children under 16 years of age are exempt. Non-resident 7-day freshwater fishing license cost is $17.00. Non-resident 12-month freshwater fishing license cost is $32.00. Resident 12-month freshwater fishing license cost is $14.00. A computerized license option is now available in the state of Florida. Anglers may purchase their fishing license
using a toll-free telephone number and a credit card. Telephone agents will issue a license number over the phone which will entitle anglers to fish immediately or at some later date during the year. If you would like to use this service the Florida Game & Fresh Water Commission's toll-free number is 1-888-347-4356

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Purchased Your Fishing License Online

A Florida fishing license which will entitle anglers to fish immediately or at some later date during the year can now be purchased online. Non-resident 7-day freshwater fishing license cost is $17.00. Non-resident 12-month freshwater fishing license cost is $32.00. Resident 12-month freshwater fishing license cost is $14.00.
Children under 16 years of age are exempt.
Click here if you would like to use this convenient option to instantly receive your fishing license online!

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Click on any of the below links for more information on our Florida bass fishing and hunting USCG licensed guide services we offer.


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Crappie Fishing Home Pagelake okeechobee fishing, bass, crappie, bluegill, shellcracker, uscg licensed, guide serviceBluegill Fishing Home Page

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