Scalloping with Captain Andrew
- Duration: 5 Hours (approx.)
- Location: Crystal River, Florida
Scalloping with Captain Andrew
Make the experience even better by staying on property at Paddletail Waterfront Lodge or taking you bounty to our partners at Waterfront Social for Cock your Catch.
The cleaning of the scallops is not included.
DISCOVER SCALLOPING FROM CRYSTAL RIVER TO HOMOSASSA BAY, FLORIDA
We like to think of scalloping as an underwater easter egg hunt. You need is a mesh bag to place your scallops, as well as a mask, snorkel, and most important fins to cover as much ground as possible. Scallops can be tricky to spots as their natural coloring provides camouflage within the sea grasses, however with time in the water you will master the skill. Most of the time their shells are open to feed and breathe, revealing vibrant blue "eyes," but if they sense danger they slam their shells shut and can swim backwards by clapping its shell halves together.
SCALLOPING ON THE GULF COAST IS FUN
To scallop, you simply float along the surface or gently swim over our expansive grass flats in four to six feet of water, enjoying the various fish, plants, and coral until you spot those vibrant blue "eyes" or the bay scallop's well-recognized shell shape. Hold your breath, take a shallow dive down, place either your hand or small dip net behind or under the scallop, and gently place it in your mesh bag. Once the mission is complete we will head back to the springs for a fresh water dip into the 72 degree waters. The locals will be ready to clean your bounty before taking them to a local area restaurant for a Cook your Catch.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulates harvesting of scallops, like it does all of Florida's fisheries, scallop season typically starts on July 1st and runs though September 24th. The daily limit is two gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or one pint of bay scallop meat per person; maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or half a gallon bay scallop meat per vessel.
THE BEST LOCATION FOR SCALLOPING
Once abundant throughout Florida, bay scallops of healthy populations that can support a recreational harvest can only be found in few locations along the Gulf coast, and Crystal River with its pristine waters is a prime location.
