Hey all... Me and a friend are planning a trip down to Florida to fish okeechobee for a few days. Looking for a good place to rent a "Real" Bass boat. I have looked at Roland Martins place and it looks to fit the bill. I just want to know if they are the only game in town.

 

I take a trip like this every year and finding good place to rent a quality boat is always the hardest part.

If you want a bass boat there make sure you make a reservation, we got stuck with a Jon boat last november. Cool place though, great outdoor restaurant Roland Martin has.

If you want a bass boat there make sure you make a reservation, we got stuck with a Jon boat last november. Cool place though, great outdoor restaurant Roland Martin has.

Scott Martin has. Brian.

Roland Martin Marina has some 18-19 ft stratos boats for rental with graphs for pretty cheap, I would call ahead tho and make a reservation.

We rented a house for four days in Buck Head on the north west side of the lake. The house was fully furnished and very clean. It was on a canal and we never had to take the boats out of the water. It took about ten minutes at idle speed to get to the lock. The only thing I didn't like was, you were on the lock masters schedule. Miss the last opening and you were out there all night.

What's the costs if you don't mind

I'm sorry but it was 20 years ago.  The price was split between 6 guys with three boats, dock and electric hookup at the dock, so it came out way better then three hotel rooms and was a lot nicer.

Don'y want to steal a thread but if you are looking for a rental home I would recommend Buckhead Ridge Marina/resort. They have mobile homes for rent on canal that you lock through to the lake. Small docks with electrical hook up etc. We stayed there every year for about ten years before health issues stopped the trip. It has been a several years since we have been there but they had 12x60 mobile homes that they rented for around $350 a week if my memory serves me correctly. The trailers weren't new but perfect for guys on a fishing trip. You could leave equipment out and nothing was ever bothered, very safe and secure and everyone was very friendly..............Al

Thanks AL....I will look into that. 350 would be perfect for just two guys.....How big of a pain is the Channel. I hate the thought of being on the lock keepers schedule. or getting stuck in a line of boats. 

 

Thanks AL....I will look into that. 350 would be perfect for just two guys.....How big of a pain is the Channel. I hate the thought of being on the lock keepers schedule. or getting stuck in a line of boats. 

The lock schedule was never a problem for us, maybe a 10-15 min wait sometimes in the morning but straight thru in the afternoon. One good thing, the lock is directly across from where you stay, no idling for any distance. We frequently trailered our boats to other area ramps in order to fish different parts of the lake. Easier to trailer than boat ride for 20 miles of rough water.

The lock schedule was never a problem for us, maybe a 10-15 min wait sometimes in the morning but straight thru in the afternoon. One good thing, the lock is directly across from where you stay, no idling for any distance. We frequently trailered our boats to other area ramps in order to fish different parts of the lake. Easier to trailer than boat ride for 20 miles of rough water.

I also stayed in the Buck Head Marina trailers. They also slept a bunch of guys. Like you we also trailered to Fisheating Creek ramp and Harney Pond Ramps from the Marina. Several tournaments have been won in those shallow canals in the Marina neighborhood on real windy days.

We would trailer to Harney Pond or Okee-Tantie Park at the mouth of the Kissimmee River. Both are just a few minutes from Buckhead Ridge. Okee-Tantie Park is the best ramp and parking I have seen on the lake but my experience is limited. Launch about 4 boats at a time, great dock with a store/rest rooms and the best eating that we could fine on the lake. can't remember the name of the restaurant but it was very good. All in the same park

I think it is Lykesee's restaurant.  Great catfish dinner!  I have eaten there many times and never had a bad meal.