I would be taking him up on the offer. Im about an hour to the north of the town of Okeechobee which of coarse is on the north end of the lake. So the north west end is the only area ive experienced. There are 2 large ramp facilities at the mouth of the Kissimmee River which flows down from the north. The river alone offers miles and miles of opportunity. Many of the locals there fish from pontoon boats with rod holders all around the boat. Lots of just telescopic rods with hooks, floats, and minnows, The party usually starts about the time the tourist quit for the day, and goes on till late evening.
Im about the same distance to the east of the second largest lake, that being Kissimmee, which is far less populated with fisherman than Okeechobee.
Blue Cypress Lake is the head of the Saint Johns river which flows north to Jacksonville, and it is about 25 miles west from me. About half the distance of the others mentioned. There are also numerous lakes not shown on maps along that river system before it reaches RT 192 at Melbourne. The closest to me is 18 miles and is known as Garcia. Stickmarsh is about 25 miles. One area on the west side of Palm Bay alone has 55000 acres most of which is water, and much of it accessable only by airboat.