People who visit Lake Okeechobee for the first time might be surprised to find that you can't…read morereally see it from the road. The Hurricane of 1928 caused the lake's dike to fail, resulting in catastrophic flooding and the loss of life. There are several mass burial sites of hurricane victims in the area. To protect the people who live around the lake, in the 1930's the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began constructing the Herbert Hoover Dike to prevent future flooding disasters. The dike was completed in the 1960s and serves to protect the surrounding communities from lake overflow. Consequently you need to find access roads that take you up to the lake in order to see it. One such favorite scenic spot to see the largest fresh water lake in Florida is in Lake Okeechobee Park. Through the years this park has been known as Jaycee Park, Lock 7, Lakefront Park, and Parrott Avenue Wayside. The park has been officially renamed Clif J. Betts Jr. Lakeside Recreation Area for a county commissioner who helped guide planning for county parks before his death in 2011. The highlight of this park is a 400 foot fishing pier which I enjoyed for the views of the lake and the birds but which is loved by anglers who fish for large mouth bass and speckled perch. Other park amenities include paved parking, picnic tables, and restrooms with potable water. Hikers and cyclists can access to the Florida Trail/Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail on the dike up above the recreation area. To reach it use the entrance road or the paved path behind the restrooms. If you head east you can travel three miles to Taylor Creek and if you head west you can travel four miles to Okee-Tantie.

This is a great place for a walk. It was upsetting to see all the power plants omitting toxins and…read morepoisoning the people of Okeechobee in the background.

The name Lake Okeechobee was first documented by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. Okeechobee…read moremeans "big water" in the Hitchiti Seminole Indian language. With a surface area of 730 square miles, it is the largest lake in the southeastern United States but relatively shallow at only 10 to 12 feet deep. The primary source of water for the lake is the Kissimmee River located just to the north of the lake. Before European settlers arrived, the lake was home to Native Americans including the Calusa and Seminole tribes. The late 19th century saw the arrival of European settlers who farmed and raised cattle which became an important industry in the region. The fertile land around Lake Okeechobee attracted many farmers for its agricultural potential. The Hurricane of 1928 caused the lake's dike to fail, resulting in catastrophic flooding and the loss of as many as 3,000 people who were in the area to pick crops. There are several mass burial sites of hurricane victims in the area. In the 1930's the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Herbert Hoover Dike to prevent future flooding disasters. The dike was completed in the 1960's and serves to protect the surrounding communities from lake overflow. The Okeechobee Waterway, a canal system connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, was completed in the mid-20th century. This waterway included the Caloosahatchee River and the St. Lucie Canal, providing a navigable route across the state of Florida. While the canal system facilitated the transportation of goods and contributed to the agricultural development of the region, it negatively impacted the health of Lake Okeechobee with agriculture runoff. Current efforts are focused on restoring the water quality and health of the lake while still meeting the agriculture needs of the surrounding farms. Lake Okeechobee is one of those Florida landmarks you have to experience at least once. Surrounding the lake is the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, a mostly paved 109 mile trail that sits on top of the Herbert Hoover Dike. Along the trail are parks with amenities like picnic areas and restrooms. The trail is ideal for bikers, bird watchers, and anyone who wants a scenic views of the lake. Some of my favorite stops around the lake are the John Stretch Memorial Park, Lakeside Ranch Stormwater Treatment Area, and the Lake Okeechobee North Pier. The lake is known for bass, crappie also known as speckled perch, and bluegill fishing and there are number of fishing camps and places that offer fishing and boating excursions on the lake. Charming small towns like Clewiston, Belle Glade, and Okeechobee also surround the lake and are places where you can see buildings and places of historical interest and grab a meal. One of my favorite Okeechobee festivals is the Speckled Perch festival which celebrates the fishing heritage of the area and where you can see an authentic cattle drive. Lake Okeechobee is a a great place to explore and experience the more natural side of Florida.

Great day for the family to experience some Florida wildlife! Airboat rides and bass fishing!read more

Had a blast artificial fishing with Justin Morgan on a 3 day trip. Caught my personal best bass on…read moremy birthday too.

Me and my family have lived in buckhead and have been fishing Lake Okeechobee for 30+ years. I Was…read morehoping it wouldn't come to this but after allowing several attempts to make this right and still nothing has been done I feel it only necessary to warn others before they feel taken advantage of as well. First and foremost Id like to say I have always been a diehard Fastbreak customer. I am there weekly, i fish weekly and have lived in Okeechobee all my life. I have purchased many jigs, rods, bait and their gas is all I put in my boat and truck, their ice is all I put on my fish. So this is not an attack on Fastbreak but rather a call for action and responsibility of a knowingly faulty product they promote. Everything I have said on this review has been said to the store in person as well as Glenn Harris and nothing has been done. I first purchased Unique crappie jigs by Glenn from Garrard's tackle shop as I was there for propane. I then found out Fastbreak carried them. I didn't have many issues with this jig at first...paint cracking and chipping and NOT just after multiple fish being caught but I liked the body and kept hearing good things so figured I would just buy more and as the paint came off I'd swap them out. At the end of November I had multiple hooks break or straighten to the point when bent back they would break which for me is understandable that you bend something enough it will break. Me and three of my neighbor went out in December and two of them were also using Glenn's crappie jigs and said they too had the same issue one with the paint and second with the hook not being of good quality and several that have broke. That same day one of my neighbors had one of the bodies partially unravel to where the tail came completely off the jig and into the water. We went in to Fastbreak that afternoon and told this to 2 employees at the counter and showed them the pictures of the unraveled jig. They both agreed that they have had some complaints about the quality of the hook and they had told Glenn about it as well. It just so happens the following day Glenn was at Fastbreak delivering jigs while I was getting gas and I spoke to him in the parking lot. Super nice guy, said he was aware of the problem,  that he had ordered new hooks and should have them that next week. I thought great, problem solved. Beginning of January I asked an employee at Fastbreak if they had gotten any of Glenn's jigs in with the new hooks yet and he said he didn't know what I was talking about but again said that they have made Glenn aware of the hook issue. I checked the few jigs that were there and surprise surprise they were all the same old cheap hooks. I really wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt because all I keep reading is the success of these jigs and I really did like some of the color combos. That day I bought a couple more new colors at the advice of a fishing guide that was in there that same day. He said he guides out of Fastbreak and because that's their biggest selling jig he promotes it to help them out. I mentioned to him the issues I had had and he agreed he had a couple like that as well but said "5 times out of 10 he doesn't have any issues". My exact words to him were 9 times out of 10? thinking I didn't hear correctly and he laughed and said 5 times out of 10. Seriously? With this my radar really went up and I started to question how and why this store would be promoting these jigs. A store that I and my fellow buckhead community use almost daily. People come here from all over to crappie fish this lake and this is the best we can do, this is the quality these guides and the 2 most prevalent tackles shops in this town are selling and pushing on people? So at this point I have brought my concerns/ complaints several times to the store and from what the Fastbreak employees have said multiple other customers have done the same as well. I've brought my concerns to Glenn himself who said he was aware and changing the hook and then as of yesterday they're still the same and yet the store is still promoting them not only themselves but through the people that frequent the store and guide out of the store just to not lose money? This is where I take issue. I've always been a Fastbreak fan but until they can recognize the garbage they're selling and not be so worried about the money they're making and Until Glenn can make good on his promise of making a better quality product I will voice my opinion to anyone that will listen about the quality of this jig and how Fastbreak knowingly promotes such an inferior product. I really am disappointed that this store would allow this to continue as I've always thought more of them and the owners but even more so that Glenn would say he's changing the hooks BECAUSE OF THE COMPLAINTS  and has yet to even do so makes us all that have voiced our opinions look stupid. I know this was a long review and I apologize but if I can keep one person from being ripped off like m

We were very pleased with service. They will get your boat out of the water if you do not have a…read moretrailer. Just meet at a ramp. Pricing reasonable. Very friendly. Will use again.

Amazing sunset experience truly magical. Excellent staff…read more Would highly recommend this experience.

Took a sunset ride on the treasure coast sailing and it was so beautiful for my boyfriend birthday!…read moreIt was lovely experience and awesome hospitality.

This was a great tour and we had a lot of fun. Very knowledgeable staff ! We recommend this placeread more

Awesome time! My family of 4 loved it. Captain Wayne did a great job explaining the ecosystem and…read moreanswering our questions. Highly recommend.

Outstanding! Not sure what I was expecting but Kenny and his tour far exceeded expectations. We had…read morea "bad" day due to high winds and still saw so many more gators than we thought we would. Really cool trip and highly recommend. Super family friendly too.

Kenny is the best! We had such a great time on our ride. He is very knowledgeable and friendly. We…read morecould not have asked for a better ride or guide.

I was looking to buy a small used boat and wanted to assure myself that there were no problems with…read morethe boat before purchasing. I was afraid that the boat which was 21' would be too small to get a surveyor to look at it. I was wrong about that. Tim Brown gave me a professional survey and gave me the kind of service as if he was inspecting a yacht. He was prompt and thorough. He inspected the boat on land and then gave it a complete sea trial. Tim gave me a complete analysis of the vessel along with a comparison of pricing of similar boats. I now have the peace of mind of knowing I am buying a boat that is in excellent condition. I also have all the information needed to show my insurance compnany. I would highly recommend TB Marine Services no matter what size your vessel is.

From the owner: Contact us now for a FREE Quote! TBmarinesurveyors.com 561 797 1334 We cover all SE South…read moreFlorida including Treasure Coast to the FL Keys, we are dedicated to providing our clients with Accurate & Reliable Marine Hull & Marine Engine Surveying Services. Marine Surveys = Pre Purchase / Insurance / Yacht Appraisals / Engine Surveys

A spa great place, my wife and I take a motorcycle ride out to the camp most every Sunday . There's…read morea taco truck that serves food which is great we had steak tacos last Sunday . A bucket of beer Basically you get one or two free . If you don't drink them all the beer turn them back in and they give you a poker chip for credit the next time you come back . Great service . The ambiance is old school Florida . Picnic tables , chairs , live bands Friday , Saturday, Sunday

Great little place...like the keys used to be! Band was enough and $2 beers is hard to beat! Worth…read morea stop