"Okeechobee Bound" was written by a loving grandfather for his grandson, a young man who discovered a passion for fishing at an early age. What began as the simple excitement of casting a line and waiting for that first strike grew into something much more. Today, that passion has carried him to competitive collegiate fishing as a member of the Auburn University fishing team.
Learning to fish at a young age can teach lessons that reach far beyond the water. It requires patience, preparation, persistence, respect for the outdoors, and an understanding that success rarely comes without time and effort. For this young fisherman, those early experiences helped develop a passion that has continued to grow as he has grown.
Few places capture the excitement of freshwater bass fishing quite like Lake Okeechobee in Florida. Its vast waters and renowned bass fishery have attracted generations of anglers. There is something special about the early-morning drive to the lake, launching the boat while much of the world is still asleep, and heading across the water wondering what the day might bring.
But this song is about more than catching fish. It is about the joy a grandfather finds in watching his grandson discover something he truly loves—and seeing that childhood passion become part of the young man he is becoming.
Sometimes one of the greatest gifts a young person can receive is the opportunity to discover a passion of his own. And sometimes one of the greatest joys for a grandparent is simply being there to watch it happen.
LYRICS
Yeah… early mornin' on the water
Got up early in the morning, fired up the old boat
With Captain Lucky Luke, I'm ready to go
Lake Okeechobee bound, cuttin' through the dawn
Chasin' that first light before the night is gone
Sun's just breakin' on the water line
Got a feelin' today might be our time
When that sun comes up, I'll be right there
Castin' lines in that cool morning air
Boat runs fast, gotta hit that spot
Where the big ones live and the bite gets hot
Full moon's hangin', might slow things down
But peace like this don't come around
Don't matter if they bite or not
This water right here is my sweet spot
Crankbait swimmin' like a wounded minnow
Reelin' slow where the shadows flow
Then that rod bent hard, drag started singin'
Eight-pound bass got my whole world swingin'
Heart was poundin', hands were shakin' tight
Man, that fish put up one heck of a fight
When that sun comes up, Captain Lucky Luke will get me there
And I'll be Castin' lines in that cool morning air
Boat runs fast, gotta hit that spot
Where the big ones live and the bite gets hot
Full moon's hangin', might slow things down
But peace like this don't come around
Don't matter if they bite or not
This water right here is my sweet spot
Gators driftin', snakes don't make a sound
Still as glass, just slidin' around
Then a monster hit, snapped my line in two
Left me standin' there thinkin' what I knew
Some you land… some you don't
That's just fishin', yeah it's all you wrote
When that sun comes up, I'll be right there
Thankin' God for this life I share
Moon or no moon, bite or not
I'll be back here givin' it all I got
'Cause peace like this you can't replace
Out on the water… my happy place
Yeah God knows I love catchin' fish
And with Captain Lucky Luke I can't miss