How To Scallop At Steinhatchee, Florida

Scalloping along the Big Bend region of Florida is a very popular late summer activity from the northwest end of the "bend" at Port St. Joe, to the southern edge of the bend in Pasco county.

Due to our location in the middle of the scalloping area, we usually go either to Crystal River or to Steinhatchee for our scalloping fun. I tend to be partial to the Steinhatchee area, because it's usually productive with beautiful clear water, and because we have so many family boating memories from this place.

We had not scalloped for about two years due to our 13 year old outboard motor finally giving up the ghost. At this point in our life, with 3 2 kids in college, buying a new motor is not in the picture, so our beloved "Summer School" sits on her trailer, waiting.

This year, my pal Captain Denny Voyles came to our rescue. One day while we were fishing together on his beautiful 24 foot Old Pro boat, he said, "Hey, we ought to get your kids and go scalloping this summer".

Well, you don't have to ask us twice.

So it was that yesterday found Denny, me, and my two daughters, Katie and Emma, floating on a warm, clear, green sea ... chasing scallops.

Wild hair 1

Wild hair 2

If you are scalloping at Steinhatchee, you will launch your boat in the river and travel out to the Gulf of Florida. There are marinas that will launch your boat or even rent  boats.
For boat owners, be aware that there is a brand new, beautiful boat ramp on the north side of the river where you can launch for a $5.00 fee.

Once in the Gulf, you turn left (south) or right (north) depending on your own "where they are" information.

When in doubt, scan for clusters of boats flying red and white dive flags. Then head that way.

Just remember, that dive flag means there are people underwater in the area and you need to keep your distance and GO SLOW. 

The scallops will be lying above and under the rich seagrass beds in anywhere from knee deep to 10 feet of water.

Once your dive flag is up, you hit the water with snorkel, mask, and mesh bag for collecting your scallops.

Emma and Kate with a scallop.

A mess of scallops.

This is only about 4 gallons of whole, in the shell scallops.

Legally, we could have kept 10 gallons of whole scallops per vessel, but, really, this was plenty to clean and to eat.

We take what we need, and that doesn't always mean taking the maximum amount allowed by law.

It is especially important to not be a scallop hog since the state of Florida has recently become more focused on economics than biology when it comes to scallop populations.

For two years now, they have opened the season earlier and ran it later.

In the early part of the season, when scallops are small, you might take twice as many scallops to hit that 10 gallon limit.

The longer season puts more money in coastal businesses in the short run, but what kind of long term damage does that do to the scallop population?

(Whoa, almost ranting there buddy)

I will post a separate post on how to clean scallops in a following post.

Beautiful water and beautiful skies.

Even if you don't find any scallops, you win.

 

The water over the seagrass beds was a little warm.

This is a screen shot of Denny's depth finder screen.
Yes, that is the WATER temperature.



Heading back in after a great day on the water scalloping.



Captain Denny at the helm.

Thanks pal.



Emma, Kate, and me.
Remember to slap on lots of sunscreen when you go scalloping ...
...especially on your back.

When you snorkel, your back is exposed to the sun for hours. I bought one of those clingy workout, quick dry shirts just for snorkeling and it worked great. It's snug so it fits like a wet suit, but it's thin so you don't get any drag in the water like you do if you are wearing a regular T-shirt.

I still used sunscreen on my back ... no need to make my cute dermatologist any richer than she is already.

So there you go, nothing to scalloping if you have a boat or a generous friend with a beautiful boat.

Next up, ... how to clean and cook  those little critters.

Also, if you want to charter Captain Denny for great Gulf fishing adventures, check out his website. There is a link to it on my sidebar.

Just expect to catch fish if you do.