First Time Scallopers Going 7/2 - 7/4

I'm sure you will have a great time! That is something I would like to try but I haven't been yet.
I guess it's on my bucket list!
Any dive shop should have "goody bags" and dive knifes.

 

We go every year on the opening day and yes it's a zoo . Two years ago I launched at 430 am and had our limit by 830am. Guys let me pull out with out waiting so they could get my parking spot . The lines of boats and trailers went probably a mile or two. That's out at Fort island. One thing I have noticed with the scallops is they stay down in grass till sun gets up more . So don't be scared to dig in and look they are there. Good luck out there be safe. I don't think I'm gonna make it there this season cause work

 

I have spoons that I grinded sharp from the top side. You get a smidge more of meat that way. Sounds like you’ve got enough to enjoy a scalloping trip, you’ll figure out what you should have brought when you’re out there on the 1st day, LOL. Good luck, hopefully another good season this year.

 

We use chum bag from Wally World for Catch bags. We have a couple like oyster opening knives. They sell them all over around there. We use light gloves. I like slack and lower tide. It makes the grass stand up and you can see deeper in. But you can’t time the tide and beat the rush. Be careful at Ft Island launch. It is shallow around that area at low tide. Look on google earth and plot your path to deeper water. There are shell mounds everywhere. Like was mentioned just look for the floatila to the left. Also opening day it is going to be packed. There is another public ramp on your way to Ft island. Much more parking, but further to the scallop grounds. Go slow and Be watchful the people get along way from their boat. There is usually is people at the dock that will clean your catch for a price. The restaurant where you turn to go to Ft Island has great breakfast.

 

Scalloping is a lot of fun. Launching, parking, and leaving is the worst part - be patient and take your time, no way you are gonna get the folks in front of you to move any quicker or such. They will do the stupidest things cause they just plain don't care about you, so just sit and watch.

The scallops look like rocks in the water and will suspend on the weeds. Take the time to enjoy the blue "eyes" and see if you can get one to swim away from your - pretty cool. When we went, the buoyancy of the water allowed us to just float around without any kind of floatie device.

Best way to find them is to look for the flotilla and set up along the fringes - should be plenty around.

Some guys have mentioned but I'll reiterate. Any mesh bag will do - no need to buy an expensive bag. No need for a dive knife either.

If you are gonna clean em on land, then just put them in a bucket - this will allow you to keep more as opposed to icing them cause they open up when iced.

You can clean them with a cheap shop vac - suck the goo straight up off the meat, if you do it at angle the meat will come off.

What we do is get back, throw the scallops in a cooler with icy water, have a shower and a bite. Sit down and start halving the scallops - iced scallops will have the shells somewhat open - stick your spoon in there and cut meat off one side or the other - tear the shells apart - clean one goes one way, meat one goes the other. This is the point for a shop vac or however you figure best removes the slimey part. Shell with meat goes into pile or you can cut the meat off at that point. Keep at it til your done or run out of beer. Shop vac will cut your time in third.

You may see cobia and flounder while out chasing down the scallops. One guy I know carries a spear gun cause he's a fish magnet.

This isn't how everyone does it, so take it with a grain of salt - enjoy yourself. It is addictively relaxing and fun.

 

Previous posts have covered jut about everything but we usually launch at Pete’s pier farther up the river. It’s $15 to launch and parking can be tough on busy weekends but we like to hang out at the springs for a fresh water wash down before getting off the water so we don’t mind the extra time in transit.

Good luck. It’s a addictive and something I look forward to every summer!!

 

You are going to love it. Use a dive buoy, people and boats are everywhere. I use my lobster bags for the scallops. Have fun, go early and get out before the storms come. Be patient and enjoy the crazy boat ramp people. Let us know how you do. It is like Easter egg hunting in the water.

 

That's what we're talking about! Isn't it a blast? Scalloping is one of the most fun things you can legally do in Florida.

 

looks like fun and good eating!

 

Awesome follow report and pictures! Good luck on your next trip!

 

Quick question
As someone who smoked for 30 years (quit) four years ago. And has some shortness of breath. How deep and how kind are you holding your breath to dive?

 

Thanks guys. Was invited to go so maybe I’ll give it a shot.

 

Thats awesome, maybe next year ill give scalloping a shot. Give me some time to research and plan a nice week trip.