It . Key Largo Fisheries: The market and cafe, situated right on the marina, brings in fresh catches every day and provides stone crabs to many of South Florida's restaurants and fish markets. At one time, scallops were reported from as far east as West Palm Beach and as far west as Pensacola. The Nature Coast area is well-known for its scalloping grounds. Scallop season 2020 runs from early June to late September and it's the perfect adventure for the family. It's rich history and fishing industry makes it a go-to destination for tourists. . Everyone over 16 and under 65 needs to have a FL fishing license. The 2022 scalloping season in Tampa Bay starts in Citrus, Hernando and Levy counties beginning July 1-September 24, 2022. Where is the best place to find scallops? When scallop season rolls around on Florida's Gulf Coast, it's time to dust off your snorkeling gear and make sure that swimsuit still fits. Direct transit of legally-harvested bay scallops is allowed through closed areas. This is a great time to get outside and enjoy the Gulf Coast's beautiful waters, abundant fishing opportunities and . Houseboat Scallop ing Charters invites you for a fun-packed scallop ing adventure in Florida! The best way to clean a scallop is with either a spoon or dull and sturdy knife. By Karen T. Bartlett. Credit: DJ's Clam Shack. Steinhatchee is an pristine area located about 90 miles south of the State Capital in Tallahassee. Florida 32456. Crystal River. Scallops will try to swim away but they aren't very fast. Open the shell up (it's like a clam) and scrape off the meat and tissue from both halves of the shell. Most people start planning well ahead, usually 3 to 6 months in advance of the start of the season. Furthermore, it's one of the easiest locations for most Floridians because of its central location. Where Is the Best Place to Collect Scallops in Florida? Bay Scallop Season in Natural North Florida. Kids Fishing . Capt. Little John cuts the engine on his 21-foot fiberglass flatboat and drifts over a sandbar in the clear water of Deadman's Bay. Scalloping in Steinhatchee, a quiet little fishing village near the Suwannee River, is legendary. They have the highest average number of Bay Scallops found per 200 square meters than any of the other 8 counties in the 8 year survey and study. Specific rules and guidelines are in place when scuba diving for scallops . You can bring to shore 1 pint of shucked Scallops. To get started, all you need is a boat (guided trips are available), snorkel gear and a good attitude. While FWC says red tide blooms have been detected off the coast of Pasco, including the popular spot of . You will find useful information on places to stay, scallop . Steinhatchee is one of the best places in Florida to visit for scalloping. Below are our top 5 picks for the bet tours in Destin and keep reading for more fun in Destin: Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. Private Sail Boat Tour. Pasco County's two week season opens July 15-24, 2022. Port St. Joe is tucked away in an area known as "Florida's Forgotten Coast" on the Florida Panhandle. The 2020 recreational bay scallop season for Dixie County opens June 15 and will remain open through September 6. Steinhatchee is a charming fishing community nestled along the banks of the Steinhatchee River. June 11, 2022 Max Grind. It is a busy season and we wouldn't want you to miss out on the fun. . They have thirty little blue eyes . Clear water is best with sea-grass beds; scallops are usually found in the grass or at the edges of sandy spots. The best water depth is 4-8 feet. One of the most popular places to scallop in Florida is Homosassa - a little town of less than 3,000 people and located about an hour north of Tampa. Local chartered boats provide this for customers, included in the trip price. Wonderful seafood restaurants and activities, such as kayaking, snorkeling, swimming with the manatees, scalloping, biking, golfing, saltwater and freshwater fishing are all available nearby. We can accommodate groups of up to six people per boat and have multiple boats to accommodate any group size. A family-owned business, we support fishing families in Florida, sourcing our products from local fishermen bringing us the best from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic. These regions include Gulf County, Franklin County, Dixie County, Taylor County, Levy County, Citrus County, Hernando County, and Pasco County. Fishing charters and local boat ramps make it easy to spend a day on the water scalloping, fishing or . The most fertile bay for scalloping grounds on Florida's West Coast are found from Homosassa to St. Joe's Bay. Crystal River is one of the best scalloping grounds along Florida's Gulf coast. Best Places to Stay. Idling along over beds of thick, swaying eelgrass, he peers intently over the starboard side. Our expanded market now includes a full-service Caf with fresh seafood for lunch and dinner straight from our Market. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) set the 2020 bay scallop season in Gulf County (including St. Joseph Bay) via Executive Order. It's possible to collect up to the legal limit about 7.5 liters of whole scallops per person (approximately 1 pint of meat) in a couple of hours. The best water depth is 4-8 feet. Best Places to Scallop, according to Reelpursuits.com: Steinhatchee/Keaton Beach; Crystal River; Homosassa - an hour north of Tampa . Email Us: info@visitgulf.com. Clear water is best with sea-grass beds; scallops are usually found in the grass or at the edges of sandy spots. Steinhatchee and the Big Bend area are the best places to find scallops! However, the areas located in what is commonly referred to as the Nature Coast seem to offer the best opportunities for scalloping. Areas like the Homosassa River, and Crystal River including Bay County . The only way to catch a scallop is by getting in the water yourself and going after them. Places To Stay Restaurants & Nightlife Things To Do Events Plan Your Trip . CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. Florida's scalloping season opens July 1 in most of the Florida counties that allow the marine pastime, and every year tens of thousands head to the state's Nature Coast to snorkel the shallow waters and hunt . You want to keep the small oblong shaped white meat and throw away the darker, slimy membrane. Whether you bring your boat or hire a scalloping charter, the links below will help make the most of your adventure. At Florida Fishing Company, we only use the most experienced captains and crew. They have a bunch of small blue eyes that can be useful for spotting them. The best place to go scalloping in Florida is the Nature Coast area. Spotting starfish, turtles, crabs, and . You'll need to go to this page on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website HERE and hope you can understand it. The "gem of the nature coast" and made famous for its manatee population, Crystal River is also a great spot to go scalloping. A public beach is located 4 miles from the condo. The Florida Bay Scallop is a bivalve mollusk that lives in seagrass beds in relatively shallow water, usually 4 to 10 feet deep. Scalloping season runs from July 1 through September 24, 2022. Specialties: Since 2003, Lighthouse Seafood has provided dayboat fresh seafood every day. If you're planning a do-it-yourself excursion for a group, keep in mind that no more than 38 liters of whole scallops (roughly 4 pints of meat) is allowed on any vessel at any time. Between warm days, clear water, and refreshing waters - scalloping is a truly unique and fun event. Those that are visiting our sunshine state are required to buy a license regardless of age. 4 Hours. Related: A Very Florida STATEcation: Fun "Only in Florida" road trips to experience with the kids this summer. Crystal River is the largest of the cities on this list with just over 3,000 people who call it home. Guests can also head to nearby Homosassa Bay for some great spots filled with scallops. Florida scallops (argopecten irradians) live in seagrass beds in shallow water, usually 4 to 10 feet deep, along Florida's central and northern west coast. Some folks use a shop vac to separate the two but that seems . Scalloping In Florida - St. Joe Bay. Crystal River. Everyone who is fishing for scallops must have a license. If you're looking for sun, sand and superb shopping, Fort Lauderdale is the place to go. Scalloping season begins at the beginning of July until early September every year. That's a shorter season than the one for lobsters, but, while it lasts, it's just about as much fun as you and your family can have. Scalloping in Florida is a wonderful outdoor experience that the whole family can enjoy or even a . According to this data compiled by the Division of Marine Fisheries Management, the best place is Taylor County. Parasailing. Now try scalloping in Steinhatchee, the best place to scallop in Florida. Homosassa 30 ft 6 persons. Beginner's Guide to Florida Scalloping 2022. Passengers. Homosassa and Crystal River are both located in Citrus County. This includes Carrabelle, Lanark, St. Marks, Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa. #11 in Best Places to Visit in Florida. The bag limit is 2 gallons of whole scallops per person per day; or 1 pint of scallop meat per person per day. Seafood lovers will delight at the tuna, salmon, Chilean sea bass and lobster, while both indoor and outdoor dining make it an ideal post-beach family dinner spot. All your efforts will be rewarded with a tasty scallop dinner. Each summer, hundreds of Floridians and visitors come to our coastal community for the world's best scalloping. These regulations are set out by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) where scalloping is restricted to certain zones, dates, and catch limits. Located just a couple blocks off the Atlantic, Flagler Fish Company in Flagler Beach offers more than 20 types of fresh fish and seafood daily. Fort Lauderdale. The scallop season is Citrus County is July . The Florida Bay scallop grows in the seagrass beds in the Gulf of Mexico. Millions of scallops naturally grow here and every year from June to September, people can free dive for scallops in the . Where is the best place to fish for scallops? Advertisement A glove is a must when harvesting bay scallops. You'll find Argopecten irradians scattered throughout the Gulf of Mexico, but places where freshwater rivers flow into the ocean are where the scallops are thickest. up to 2 people. Call Us: 850-229-7800 800-482-GULF. Jimmy Nelson goes over all you need to know in order to. Once you see a scallop, dive down and grab it. My shadow causes clouds of tiny fish to scatter and reform as I . Bay scallops are legal game in the Gulf from June 25 until September 25, 2016 and our ports between Horseshoe Beach and St. Marks are busy with scallopers. However, there are many beautiful, secluded places where you can scallop that stretch along the west coast of Florida. You can snorkel underwater and search for bay scallops, which rest under four to six feet of water along the seagrass bottom. Come visit Captain Rod Johnson in Homosassa and join him on a memorable trip in search of this lovely seafood delicacy. July is not only the middle of summer or a time to celebrate our nation's independence but also marks the opening of scallop season in Crystal River and Homosassa Springs. By Terry Tomalin. Harvesting is done about 2-3 miles from shore in the gulf, and can be found almost anywhere eelgrass is located. Steinhatchee is perhaps best known for scalloping in this area. When Is Scallop Season In Florida. Florida's Big Bend, from the Pasco/Hernando County line to the Mexico Beach Canal, offers a relatively short scalloping season from July 1 to September 10, the only area that I'm aware of that provides for "catch your own" scallops. It is about 70 miles west of the University of Florida in Gainesville. My mask and snorkel allow me to keep my eyes on the bottom as I drift along. Some of the most popular destinations for scalloping in Florida' Big Bend area are Homosassa, Crystal River, Steinhatchee/Keaton Beach, and Port St Joe/Cape San Bliss. Alongside, you are surrounded by an amazing ecosystem with awesome sealife viewing opportunities. Media; About Us; Contact; Site Map; Florida's bay scallop season runs from June to late September on the West Coast. The late morning sun is lighting up the sandy and grassy bottom of St. Joseph Bay as I drift along under my orange and white "diver down" flag floating behind me. First step is to acquire a recreational Florida saltwater fishing license. 2021 Florida Scallop Season Dates. Of course, part of the attraction is the fact that scallops are delicious to eat, and scallops are one of Florida's easiest delicacies to harvest yourself before eating! However, if you're looking to get in on the action and later in the planning process, don't worry, as cancellations or trip modifications may free up charter and lodging space. Crystal River ranks #2 on my top spots to go scalloping on the west coast of Florida. To go scalloping, simply float along the surface or gently swim over the expansive grass flats in four to six feet of water. Learn more about scalloping by checking out our Blog on Scalloping in St. Joseph Bay! 3. Catching scallops is easy. 4 Hours Crystal River Scalloping Charters. Gulf County - scalloping season is 40 days long from August 16 to Sept 24. Scallops will try to swim away but they aren't very fast. Port St. Joe. Once you spot a bay scallop, hold your breath, take a shallow dive down, place either your hand or small dip net under the scallop . . From August 16 - September 24, locals and visitors are allowed to go scallop harvesting in the waters of the St. Joseph Bay and Gulf County. Look for clear water with sea-grass beds. The FWC has broken down the counties where you can harvest bay scallops into 8 different regions. Once you see a scallop, dive down and grab it. With all your gear on, snorkel along the surface, usually in 3-6 foot of water looking for the elusive scallop. Scalloping is allowed north of the . The best water depth to find scallops is usually 4 - 8 feet. Crystal River Scalloping. Recreational bay scallop season for Franklin County through the northwestern portion of Taylor County, as well as Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties opens July 1 and will remain open through Sept. 24. 4. Pick either one, Crystal River Scalloping Adventures or Homosassa Scalloping Adventures, we will be glad to take you out for This trip includes back and forth transportation to the scalloping grounds, coolers w/ice, mask, fins, snorkel, and a discounted room rate at the Best Western Resort right on the Crystal River. Fort Lauderdale's palm-tree lined beaches are some . Join us for a fun day on the water looking for scallops out of the Plantation on Crystal River! Just a two-hour drive away from Tallahassee, Port St. Joe is the location of the annual Florida Scallop Festival and is without a doubt one of the best scalloping spots in Florida. See the chart below from this page. Pasco County now has its limited 10-day scalloping season back, which runs through Sunday. Perfect for hunters of all ages, the refreshing spring waters are an ideal way to cool off on a warm summer day. The daily catch limit per person is 2 gallons (over 7.5 liters) of whole shelled scallops or 1 pint . From the white sand beaches in and around Port . You will find scallops in the sea-grass or at the edges of the sandy spots. Scallop season in the Florida Gulf runs from June 16th to September 30th. The river flows into the Gulf of Mexico and is home to excellent scallop grounds. Bay scallops are . 2. Our boats are also some of the best in Homosassa. We also bring . Like the rest of Florida, Steinhatchee has a limit of 2 gallons of Scallops (in their shells) per person, with a maximum limit of 10 gallons per boat. Credit: ken ratcliff via Flickr. These tasty mollusks need the right mix of saltwater and freshwater to . Book a Scalloping Trip in advance (352) 427-3610. This is required by state law to all Florida residents between the ages of 16 and 65. The 2021 open season dates for scalloping are: July 1 - September 24, 2021. Today, populations can only be found in selected locations along Florida's west coastprincipally St. Joseph . In Florida, the waters in the Gulf of Mexico that are open to scallop harvest extend from the Pasco-Hernando County line (near Aripeka - latitude 28 degrees, 26.016 minutes North) to the west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal in . Popular with anglers looking for Scallop fishing charters in Homosassa. The seasoned scalloper usually has on a quality set of flippers, a mask and of course a mesh bag in tow. Dolphin Cruise. The space This condo with beautiful views, features an open floor plan and a second floor master loft. What is scallop season in Florida? Plan Your Trip to Cape San Blas for the 2022 Scalloping Season. Scallop season in Cape San Blas takes place each fall, and it's one of the best times of the year to visit. Where is the best place to find scallops? Franklin County to NorthWest Taylor County - the harvesting season is 55 days from July 1 to Sept 24.