Its like a giant easter egg hunt under water in july and august. Thousands of residents and visitors will flock to the coastal areas of florida between the pascohernando county line and mexico beach canal to seek out their limit of scallops. It was the same during the summer of 2017, and i booked a vrbo at steinhatchee landing resort. How to scallop homosassa springs homosassa springs marina. Scalloping in crystal river is an exciting recreation for the whole family. The scallop season on the west coast of florida is open from june 25th to september 24th, this video was from august 2, 2016. Jul 09, 2017 getting scallops and snorkeling in steinhatchee florida 2017 july 4th weekend. The scallop report is for very large scallops and big numbers. Taylor county scalloping 2017 season ufifas extension. Steinhatchee has had the richest scalloping in florida in recent years. Here is a picture of the 2019 season from the fwc website. The scalloping out of steinhatchee is very good at this time of year. Scalloping season usually starts in june or july and ends in september. Best homosassa scalloping spots flats chance fishing.
Recreational scalloping in florida the florida bay scallop is a bivalve mollusk that lives in seagrass beds in relatively shallow water, usually 4 to 10 feet deep. Scuba divers and snorkelers are required to carry and display a diversdown flag. Thats because these dates mark the start and end of scalloping season. The new season dates are june 16th through september 10, 2017. See pictures of past trips around the steinhatchee, fl. Scalloping season runs july 1 through september 24, 2019 where. Recreational scallop season 2017 nature coast biological station. Direct transit of legallyharvested bay scallops is allowed through closed areas. Floridas 2014 recreational scallop season begins on june 28 and lasts until september 24. The most popular scalloping destinations on the west coast of florida are crystal river, homosassa, and steinhatchee. Youve heard all about it, but exactly what is scalloping and what do you need to do it. With scalloping season only being days away from opening i wanted to write this article to help you prepare for having a successful scalloping trip with your family this summer. Harvest periods, harvest locations and fishing regulations are subject to change. The 2018 numbers showed that things were about the same as 2017, except for a continuing downward trend for franklin, gulf, wakulla, and hernando counties.
The first month of floridas 2014 recreational scallop season has been a busy one. Scallop season welcome to the steinhatchee river inn during scallop season. Scalloping in homosassa and the gulf coast area crystal. The weekend guide to scalloping in steinhatchee, florida. Fin action charters, 1110 riverside drive, steinhatchee. Steinhatchee scalloping charters trips scallop guides. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page.
The only equipment you need is a mask, snorkel, fins, and a mesh bag to hold the scallops. Discover scalloping from crystal river to homosassa bay, florida if you have never scalloped but love eating them, think of an easter egg hunt while swimming above shallow saltwater grass flats. Scalloping season in florida fun for the whole family. Myself and a group of 15 went scalloping in steinhatchee a week ago, and we had a good time on the water. Recreational scallop season 2017 nature coast biological.
With june 1st being the first day of grouper season and doing some shallow water spear fishing every rock pile that we worked in the grass on the outside was plenty of scallops and nice sized. Marker one leaves at 8am and 1 pm during scallop season every day. This includes all state waters from the suwannee river through the fenholloway river. In fact, steinhatchee is the top places in the united states for catching bay scallops. Wrapping up our homosassa springs scalloping guide. Homosassa pre season scalloping report 2018 with scallop season only less than a month away many are wondering how plentiful the scallops are. Rent a boat at steinhatchee for 2017 recreational scallop season. At one time scallops were reported from palm beach to pensacola. Homosassa and steinhatchee, the most popular spots near us. Getting scallops and snorkeling in steinhatchee florida 2017 july 4th weekend. In july and august, thousands flock to the area to go scalloping in steinhatchee ans hunt for bay scallops. In a nutshell or a scallop shell, for that matter, scalloping isnt difficult, but there are a few basic things to know before you head out searching for them this summer. This is one of the most popular seasons for tourists and locals alike.
It is that time of year to go scalloping again with the 2017 scallop season here. The scallop hunter complete resource for recreational scalloping lean all about scallops and scalloping learn how to catch, a scallops life cycle, areas open to scalloping, and how to clean click here book a scalloping charter go out with the pros. The scallop numbers in steinhatchee has been great this year. Scalloping in crystal river 2020 scalloping season crystal river, fl. At one time scallops were reported from as far east as west palm beach and as far west as pensacola. This scallop season in steinhatchee and the big bend should be better than years past. Whether you choose a scalloping trip or fishing charter, you are sure to have a great time. November 2017 steinhatchee fishing report, from capt. On good advice, i skipped the first week, when an astounding 200 boats queue up every hour to claim the first harvest. You are welcome to bring your own equipment if you like.
Guiding isnt a side job here at marker one, its our only job. Its no wonder people come from all over the country to go scalloping in our local waters. Homosassa scalloping charters scalloping homosassa charters. Today, healthy populations can only be found in selected locations along floridas west coastprincipally st. Great news the florida wildlife commission fwc has approved no changes for the 2017 scallop season in citrus county. A listing of hotels and motels to stay in steinhatchee.
Recreational bay scallop season is quickly approaching. Hotels and motels for scallop season in steinhatchee. Fwc just announced that scallop season will open on june 15, 2019 and closed on september 10, 2019. Wrapping up our homosassa springs scalloping guide youre now a scalloper.
Thousands of residents and visitors will flock to the shallow coastal areas of floridas big bend to go scalloping and seek out their limit of the sweet and tasty meat. Youll find scalloping opportunities along our entire coastline. Get your rooms and captain booked early so you get the days you want. Charters and hotel rooms are scarce the first and last weekends of season. But come july 1, it really starts hopping, and the action continues nonstop until september 10. In 2017, open harvest season for bay scallops along floridas gulf coast runs june 16thseptember 10th. I have had children as young as four years old and in there mid 70s diving and collecting scallops. Come get your limit on scallops in steinhatchee florida. Set a reminder to call to us then to make room and boat reservations. After buying some ice and a cap, because i accidentally left my cap at home, we pulled out of river haven marina in steinhatchee, florida.
Core population of scallops in florida scallop season june 16september 10, 2018 steinhatchee, florida. All you need is a mesh bag to place your scallops, as well as a mask and snorkel, although fins are helpful to be able to cover more area. Note you have to check the website each year to see when harvesting begins in your region. Scalloping in steinhatchee is a fantastic way for you and your family to spend your summer vacation. Rent a boat at steinhatchee for 2017 recreational scallop. Youll find scalloping opportunities along our entire coastline, including keaton beach, hagens cove and steinhatchee. Anybody go scalloping in steinhatchee this weekend. Recreational scalloping in floridaflorida sea grant. The remaining portion of taylor county and all of dixie county including keaton beach and the steinhatchee area. I went scalloping yesterday with captain steve kroll of pepperfish key charters. Scalloping in the nature coast and big bend seagrass beds regions of the gom in florida has historically been a very important recreational and economic activity. The gear youll need and the rules to follow to get the most out of this short season.
Joe is historically a popular spot for scalloping in florida but is closed for scalloping this 2017 season until further notice. This year, the season begins june 15th and runs through september 10th. The ecofriendly plantation on crystal river is surrounded by the natural springs of kings bay and pristine lakes and rivers, as well as wildlife refuges and state parks. The 2017 bay scallop season for dixie county and parts of taylor county will be open from june 16 through sept. The 2017 bay scallop abundance survey showed that scallops are less abundant than in 2016 but more evenly spread out across the scalloping grounds. It is our pleasure to host another adventurefilled scallop season in steinhatchee taylor county, one of the best areas to harvest scallops.
Jun 07, 2018 recreational bay scallop season is quickly approaching. Scalloping sea hag marina and the shacks at sea hag. Homosassa scalloping charters scalloping homosassa. Help biologists learn more about how many bay scallops live along floridas gulf coast by submitting your bay scallop harvest data through our web survey. Scallop season june 16september 10,2018 steinhatchee, florida. The florida keys lobster season and the homosassa scalloping season have three things in common. Taylor county is one of the few places in florida where you can harvest your own scallops. Most of the year, the tiny town of steinhatchee pronounced steen, not stein, is a peaceful backwater, a remnant of old florida, visited mostly by anglers. Over the last 5 years we have visited and stayed a week at a time. Joseph bay, here youll find some of the tastiest scallops in the sunshine state. Check your zone to find out the dates that will apply to you. These changes are for 2017 only and are an opportunity to explore regionallyspecific bay scallop seasons. While there are other big bendnatural north florida ports that offer access to scalloping grounds, its steinhatchee thats truly worked hard to make the experience a great one for everyone. At its february meeting near tallahassee, the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc approved regionallyspecific bay scallop open season dates for 2018, including a change to the season for levy, citrus and hernando counties that was proposed in december.
Scalloping 2017 steinhatchee florida gopro 4k youtube. Scallop season steinhatchee river inn official website. Season opens the saturday before july 1st every year. See actions taken by the people who manage and post content. Recreational scalloping season 2018 ufifas nature coast. As you can see, dixie and remaining taylor county, open first around the middle of june. River haven will begin taking reservations for the 2019 scallop season on january lst. We have a large scallop cleaning station for all the scallops youll be catching while you visit steinhatchee. In fact that is the only time of year you can catch your own scallops, since scallop season is open from june 16, 2017 until september 10, 2017 and cn be harvested from the taylor county fenhalloway river to dixie county suwannee river during this time. Joseph bay, the steinhatchee and keaton beach areas of the big bend, and the areas near the crystal and homosassa rivers. Oct 09, 2019 florida saltwater flats fishing charters. The season is open from july 1 st to september 10 th.
Other great spots for scalloping in florida include st. Jan 22, 2020 here is a picture of the 2019 season from the fwc website. Unlike a favorite fishing spot, good scalloping grounds are not much of a secret. Scalloping season in florida is an activity that all family members can enjoy, no experience is needed, and it doesnt require a ton of fishing tackle. Recreational scalloping season 2019 ufifas nature coast. Recreational boating in the nature coast reaches peak levels during scallop season, so expect congestion at boat ramps. Marker one flats charters specializes in inshore flats fishing and scalloping in steinhatchee florida. Steinhatchee is the place to go for a great family scallop trip and the location of sunset place is premium. Its also called the best place to scallop in florida. Scalloping is fun for the entire family and just a great way to spend the day. Bay scallops are easily found in 2 8 feet of water. Planning on going scalloping this bay scallop season. Floridas 2017 recreational bay scallop harvest begins on june 16 and lasts until september 10 in taylor county gulf waters, including steinhatchee.
Fwcs population data wont be available to june but, we will begin scouting ourselves in april and may to see how concentrated they are. We provide masks, snorkel, fins, scallop bag, and the required state license. We can not only take you out for a wonderful day on the water, we can help you get lodging. Book a scalloping charter with your scallop guides captain mark brady and captain bobbi brady. The 2016 season has been postponed from august 22nd to september 6th in this location. This years season will begin on saturday, july 1st and end on sunday, september 24th. We left river haven around 7am and then after leaving the river entrance a little ways we turned south towards horseshoe beach. Enjoy scalloping in steinhatchee and surrounding areas. Steinhatchee scallops steinhatchee vacation rentals. Captains grand and randy put us on plenty of scallops and we limited out. Fishing and scalloping in steinhatchee sea hag marina and. Preliminary results of the 2017 scalloping season monitoring in taylor county waters, florida, usa.