About Your Trip

Water Type

Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

About Your Trip

Join Captain Jay for a fun-filled day of bass fishing on scenic Lake Athens, a favorite among local anglers for its clear water, steady action, and healthy population of Largemouth Bass. This East Texas lake offers a great mix of accessibility and quality fishing, making it a go-to spot for anglers of all experience levels. It’s also home to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center and the Toyota ShareLunker program—an awesome stop if you want to learn more about bass conservation while you're in town.

You’ll start the day at 7:00 AM aboard Captain Jay’s 21’ Skeeter Apex bass boat. Built in 2021 and powered by a 250 HP Yamaha, this rig is built for performance and packed with everything you need for a productive day on the water. Whether you’re booking a quick four-hour outing or settling in for a full eight, Captain Jay will make sure your trip is smooth, efficient, and dialed into the bite.

You’ll be fishing exclusively with artificial lures, targeting Largemouth Bass using techniques tuned to current conditions—whether that means working the shallows or keying in on offshore structure. Captain Jay adjusts each trip to fit your goals and experience level, so whether you’re new to the sport or a seasoned angler, you’re in great hands.

All rods, reels, and tackle are included, and the boat is both kid-friendly and accessible for anglers with disabilities. Feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks—just leave the glass at home—and enjoy a laid-back day chasing bass in one of East Texas’s most consistent and enjoyable fisheries.

If you’re ready to hook into some big bass and enjoy a well-run trip with a passionate local guide, Captain Jay’s Lake Athens trip is the way to go. Let’s get you booked and on the water!

Amenities

Water Type

Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to small children.

Disability Friendly

This trip can accommodate those with disabilities.

Fish Cleaning

No cleaning service provided.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Flexible Cancelation

The deposit for this trip is non-refundable.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

Scroll for more

Pricing Matrix

	8 hours
1 Person	$650.00
2 People	$650.00
3 People	$750.00
4 People (two boats)	$1,300.00
5 People (two boats)	$1,500.00
6 People (two boats)	$1,500.00

Pay 20% of the price as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.

You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

Reserve Your Trip

Total

86% (14)

Select a date to view pricing. The date you selected is no longer available. Please select another date.

Date

Select a group size to view pricing.

Select an animal to view pricing.

Select a duration to view pricing.

Select a start time to check out.

You won't be charged yet

Total

Browse Similar Trips

You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

About Your Guide

Jay B.

Independent Guide

About Your Guide

Jay B.

Independent Guide

A note from Jay: "I've been fishing Lake Fork since I was old enough to walk. Fishing has always been a passion of mine. I'm a father and husband to my beautiful wife Lindsey and have a beautiful little girl and a baby boy on the way that will be here in January. I work hard on staying on the fish. Even if I'm not booked a day, I'm on the water looking for new spots. I look for the bigger fish. My spots have been producing some good fish. It's everyone's dream and a bucket list lake for people to come fish. Lake Fork is ranked #1 of bass fishing lake. I would love to earn your business. Let's get out there and catch some pigs! Thank you and God bless."

Jay has also fished O.H. Ivie Lake for several years, and applies the same work ethic and proven techniques to catching bass there! Book a trip with him today to see why these Texas reservoirs are known for epic fishing!

Scroll for more

Start Location & Lodging Options

Athens, Texas

Areas Fished

Lake Athens

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Bass Boat
Boat Manufacturer: Skeeter apex
Year Built: 2021
Boat Length: 21'

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Bass Boat
Boat Manufacturer: Skeeter apex
Year Built: 2021
Boat Length: 21'
Boat Restroom: No
Engine Manufacturer: Yamaha
Total Horsepower: 250
Number of Engines: 1

Scroll for more

Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Weather

You won't lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to small children.

Disability Friendly

This trip can accommodate those with disabilities.

Fish Cleaning

No cleaning service provided.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Flexible Cancelation

The deposit for this trip is non-refundable.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .

View Full Species Seasonality Chart »

Get it while it's HOT!
This species is in play.
You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

Artificial Lure Fishing

Everything Else to Know

All rods, reels, and tackle are included, but we also recommend bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, weather-appropriate clothing, and any gear of your own you want to use on the trip.

You'll need to buy a fishing license before getting out there. Find out more about licenses here.

We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).

The deposit for this trip is non-refundable except for weather-related cancellations. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.

In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

Reviews

3.8

based on 5 reviews

Jonathan

Verified Review

April 16

We had an epic day on Lake Fork with Jay! He knows the lake like the back of his hand and had us throwing off points and dropoffs, and up and around structure where the big bass hang out. Jay doesn't miss a beat and had us dialed in all day. Felt like fishing with an old friend and can't wait to be back for more. - Jonathan with Captain Experiences

Jonathan

Verified Review

April 16

Scroll for more

Trip: Big Bass On Lake Fork

Michael

Verified Review

July 19

Our trip would have been better served had we gone to Lake Fork. It was apparent my guide was more familiar with Lake Fork as he had fishing spots located at that lake and knew what baits the fish were biting. These are among the fundamental reasons you choose a guide. I should have done some more information seeking prior to finalizing the booking.

Michael

Verified Review

July 19

Scroll for more

Trip: Lake Bois D’ Arc

Response from Jay:

Sir it was a tough day fishing. We missed serval. I took you to the offshore flat that showed a lot of fish and you didn’t even get out of your seat and dropped your Texas rig brush hog straight down and jigged it up and down a few times. I’m good on this lake as well as lake fork and others or I wouldnt be guiding on them. I have spent many many days by my self fishing them. I felt like you really didn’t try hard cause you only casted about 20 feet from the boat. You had several bites you missed. I’m sorry you feel this way.

Scroll for more

Response from Captain Experiences:

Hey Mike. We're sorry to hear that the trip didn't live up to expectations and we've reached out so we can talk about how to make it up to you!

Response from Captain Experiences:

Hey Mike. We're sorry to hear that the trip didn't live up to expectations and we've reached out so we can talk about how to make it up to you!

Scroll for more

Greg

Verified Review

July 22

Jay has a great knowledge of fishing and has all the gear! I will definitely fish again with Jay!

Greg

Verified Review

July 22

Jay has a great knowledge of fishing and has all the gear! I will definitely fish again with Jay!

Scroll for more

Trip: Lake Bois D’ Arc

Response from Jay:

Thank you sir. I would be honored to have you back.

Response from Jay:

Thank you sir. I would be honored to have you back.

Scroll for more

Kyle

Verified Review

June 26

Captain Jay was great. Put us on the fish right away. We caught many bass. Will go with him again.

Kyle

Verified Review

June 26

Captain Jay was great. Put us on the fish right away. We caught many bass. Will go with him again.

Scroll for more

Trip: Lake Bois D’ Arc

Response from Jay:

Thank you so much it was a great day.

Response from Jay:

Thank you so much it was a great day.

Scroll for more

Johnny

Verified Review

June 14

I don’t have anything good to say!!! He should receive “0” Stars

Johnny

Verified Review

June 14

I don’t have anything good to say!!! He should receive “0” Stars

Scroll for more

Trip: Trophy Bass On O.H. Ivie Lake

Response from Jay:

He did everything I told him not to do. I told him to fish off the right side of the boat cause he would get hung up on the left side. He fished the left side and I tied on 9 hooks in 45 mins. Even his son was back talking me. I’m here to teach and I can’t do that when you do the opposite of what I say

Response from Jay:

Scroll for more

Response from Captain Experiences:

Hey Johnny - I am sorry to hear about your experience, we would like to get some more context here so we can make things right. Please reach out to us. Hope to get you back on the water soon!

Response from Captain Experiences:

Hey Johnny - I am sorry to hear about your experience, we would like to get some more context here so we can make things right. Please reach out to us. Hope to get you back on the water soon!

Scroll for more

First Time Booking with Us?

Captain Experiences is home to thousands of quality, vetted fishing, hunting, and other outdoor sports guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.

We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.

Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!

In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.

Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.

After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.