SGT Bryan Larson; US Army

BassOnline was fortunate to work with VetTix.org to provide a couple of days of fishing experience on the world-famous Lake Okeechobee for a wounded veteran.
Through this partnership, we were able to make this dream come true for Sgt Brian. Who has a true love for fishing and had always wanted to experience Lake Okeechobee. Here’s a little about Sgt Brian Larson and how his two days went on Lake Okeechobee.

SGT Bryan Larson was deployed to Iraq with the 3rd Coscom in 2005-2006 and was a Gunner on a HUMVEE. He has been awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was wounded by a roadside bomb in Taji, Iraq. Since Iraq, he has returned home to Minnesota and married his wife, and had two beautiful children. He went through a medical evaluation process and was medically discharged from the army. He has always found peace in fishing and has always hoped to be able to fish on the famed Lake Okeechobee.

Read along to experience his two days on the water…

First Day Fishing With Capt Dave Lauer

Hey, this is Captain Dave Lauer calling in, fishing out of Belle Glade, the southeast corner of the big Okeechobee. I had the pleasure to fish with Sergeant Brian Larson Out of Minnesota and his longtime friend been buddies ever since they’re little kids, I call him iron Mike because his hook set is so hard that it rips the lips off the fish. Anyway, These guys came down for a 2-day fishing trip on Lake Okeechobee We started off with a little artificial we ran into some schooling fish in one of the cuts of the rim canal fish busting all over.

Then we went out to the lake to the outside grass line and threw shiners. Ended up having to call shiner catcher to get some more. We started off with 5 dozen and picked up another two dozen. Had a good bite going from 8-1:30 and just had a good time with those guys and they caught some big ones. Not including, the big ones they lost. The fishing was pretty much steady all day long till about 1:30. Then the heat got to them and they went on strike, just turned off. It was a pleasure to fish with a Hero, an Iraq veteran protecting our liberties so that we can fish down here in Florida. So say thanks to a veteran. This is Captain Dave signing out, tight lines.

Second Day Fishing With Capt Mark Shepard

This is Captain Mark Shepard with your Lake Okeechobee update. Well, folks out on the water with Brian and his friend Mike. Brian is a wounded warrior He’s been torn up pretty bad there is a war, and it was a great honor to be able to take him out on the water. It was kind of spotty at best, fishing all over doing some light tackle fishing, but what fish we caught was a lot of fun. We were catching them on that light line light tackle, We went around to a lot of different areas and picked up Just a little bit here and there. Hit one good Spot and put quite a few numbers in the boat with one decent fish about 4 pounds.

It’s always an honor to be part of these trips and to get these guys out on the water. It means a lot and for the service they’ve given us, It’s great to give back. This is Captain Mark Shepard all the best.