Youll find scalloping opportunities along our entire coastline. It is our pleasure to host another adventurefilled scallop season in steinhatchee taylor county, one of the best areas to harvest scallops. The 2017 bay scallop abundance survey showed that scallops are less abundant than in 2016 but more evenly spread out across the scalloping grounds. In fact, steinhatchee is the top places in the united states for catching bay scallops. Taylor county scalloping 2017 season ufifas extension. Scallop season welcome to the steinhatchee river inn during scallop season. Scalloping in homosassa and the gulf coast area crystal. A listing of hotels and motels to stay in steinhatchee. Come get your limit on scallops in steinhatchee florida. Its no wonder people come from all over the country to go scalloping in our local waters. River haven will begin taking reservations for the 2019 scallop season on january lst. Recreational scalloping in floridaflorida sea grant.
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. As you can see, dixie and remaining taylor county, open first around the middle of june. Scallop season june 16september 10,2018 steinhatchee, florida. Core population of scallops in florida scallop season june 16september 10, 2018 steinhatchee, florida. It was the same during the summer of 2017, and i booked a vrbo at steinhatchee landing resort. Scuba divers and snorkelers are required to carry and display a diversdown flag. This includes all state waters from the suwannee river through the fenholloway river. Anybody go scalloping in steinhatchee this weekend. We have a large scallop cleaning station for all the scallops youll be catching while you visit steinhatchee.
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. At one time scallops were reported from as far east as west palm beach and as far west as pensacola. Rent a boat at steinhatchee for 2017 recreational scallop. Myself and a group of 15 went scalloping in steinhatchee a week ago, and we had a good time on the water. Floridas 2014 recreational scallop season begins on june 28 and lasts until september 24.
Best homosassa scalloping spots flats chance fishing. Marker one flats charters specializes in inshore flats fishing and scalloping in steinhatchee florida. Steinhatchee has had the richest scalloping in florida in recent years. 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. Book a scalloping charter with your scallop guides captain mark brady and captain bobbi brady.
Scalloping sea hag marina and the shacks at sea hag. Recreational boating in the nature coast reaches peak levels during scallop season, so expect congestion at boat ramps. The most popular scalloping destinations on the west coast of florida are crystal river, homosassa, and steinhatchee. The new season dates are june 16th through september 10, 2017. Thats because these dates mark the start and end of scalloping season.
Jan 22, 2020 here is a picture of the 2019 season from the fwc website. This is one of the most popular seasons for tourists and locals alike. But come july 1, it really starts hopping, and the action continues nonstop until september 10. Joe is historically a popular spot for scalloping in florida but is closed for scalloping this 2017 season until further notice.
Its midjuly, the second week of scalloping season, in a place that locals claim is the scalloping capital of the world. Recreational scallop season 2017 nature coast biological. Homosassa pre season scalloping report 2018 with scallop season only less than a month away many are wondering how plentiful the scallops are. The scalloping out of steinhatchee is very good at this time of year. Homosassa and steinhatchee, the most popular spots near us. 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. The 2017 bay scallop season for dixie county and parts of taylor county will be open from june 16 through sept. In 2017, open harvest season for bay scallops along floridas gulf coast runs june 16thseptember 10th. 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. This year, the season begins june 15th and runs through september 10th. Wrapping up our homosassa springs scalloping guide. Wrapping up our homosassa springs scalloping guide youre now a scalloper.
Preliminary results of the 2017 scalloping season monitoring in taylor county waters, florida, usa. Fin action charters, 1110 riverside drive, steinhatchee. Great news the florida wildlife commission fwc has approved no changes for the 2017 scallop season in citrus county. 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. Scalloping season in florida fun for the whole family. Its also called the best place to scallop in florida. 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. Taylor county is one of the few places in florida where you can harvest your own scallops.
The 2016 season has been postponed from august 22nd to september 6th in this location. Guiding isnt a side job here at marker one, its our only job. This scallop season in steinhatchee and the big bend should be better than years past. Other great spots for scalloping in florida include st. On good advice, i skipped the first week, when an astounding 200 boats queue up every hour to claim the first harvest. 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, here youll find some of the tastiest scallops in the sunshine state. Homosassa scalloping charters scalloping homosassa. Over the last 5 years we have visited and stayed a week at a time.
Planning on going scalloping this bay scallop season. We left river haven around 7am and then after leaving the river entrance a little ways we turned south towards horseshoe beach. The gear youll need and the rules to follow to get the most out of this short season. Jun 07, 2018 recreational bay scallop season is quickly approaching. The scallop numbers in steinhatchee has been great this year. Its like a giant easter egg hunt under water in july and august. Joseph bay, the steinhatchee and keaton beach areas of the big bend, and the areas near the crystal and homosassa rivers.
Hotels and motels for scallop season in steinhatchee. This years season will begin on saturday, july 1st and end on sunday, september 24th. Steinhatchee scalloping charters trips scallop guides. Whether you choose a scalloping trip or fishing charter, you are sure to have a great time. Scalloping in steinhatchee is a fantastic way for you and your family to spend your summer vacation.
Recreational scalloping season 2019 ufifas nature coast. Recreational bay scallop season is quickly approaching. The scallop season on the west coast of florida is open from june 25th to september 24th, this video was from august 2, 2016. Fwcs population data wont be available to june but, we will begin scouting ourselves in april and may to see how concentrated they are. I went scalloping yesterday with captain steve kroll of pepperfish key charters. The only equipment you need is a mask, snorkel, fins, and a mesh bag to hold the scallops. 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. I have had children as young as four years old and in there mid 70s diving and collecting scallops. Today, healthy populations can only be found in selected locations along floridas west coastprincipally st. Scallop season steinhatchee river inn official website. See pictures of past trips around the steinhatchee, fl. Charters and hotel rooms are scarce the first and last weekends of season.
The season is open from july 1 st to september 10 th. Scalloping in crystal river is an exciting recreation for the whole family. Scalloping season runs july 1 through september 24, 2019 where. Recreational scallop season 2017 nature coast biological station. See actions taken by the people who manage and post content. The first month of floridas 2014 recreational scallop season has been a busy one. Scalloping is fun for the entire family and just a great way to spend the day. 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.
November 2017 steinhatchee fishing report, from capt. Scalloping season usually starts in june or july and ends in september. Getting scallops and snorkeling in steinhatchee florida 2017 july 4th weekend. Jul 09, 2017 getting scallops and snorkeling in steinhatchee florida 2017 july 4th weekend. 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. 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. Check your zone to find out the dates that will apply to you. Youll find scalloping opportunities along our entire coastline, including keaton beach, hagens cove and steinhatchee.
At one time scallops were reported from palm beach to pensacola. Scalloping in crystal river 2020 scalloping season crystal river, fl. We can not only take you out for a wonderful day on the water, we can help you get lodging. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. In july and august, thousands flock to the area to go scalloping in steinhatchee ans hunt for bay scallops. It is that time of year to go scalloping again with the 2017 scallop season here. Oct 09, 2019 florida saltwater flats fishing charters. Get your rooms and captain booked early so you get the days you want.
Recreational scalloping season 2018 ufifas nature coast. 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. Season opens the saturday before july 1st every year. View bay scallop web survey taps recreational harvesters for more information. 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. 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.
Even if you do things wrongif there is such a thingyou just spent a day on the water with friends and family, got some exercise, a sun tan, and cooled off in the crystalclear waters of the homosassa springs. The weekend guide to scalloping in steinhatchee, florida. Unlike a favorite fishing spot, good scalloping grounds are not much of a secret. Steinhatchee scallops steinhatchee vacation rentals. 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. The remaining portion of taylor county and all of dixie county including keaton beach and the steinhatchee area. Floridas 2017 recreational bay scallop harvest begins on june 16 and lasts until september 10 in taylor county gulf waters, including steinhatchee. The florida keys lobster season and the homosassa scalloping season have three things in common. Here is a picture of the 2019 season from the fwc website. We provide masks, snorkel, fins, scallop bag, and the required state license. Harvest periods, harvest locations and fishing regulations are subject to change. Youve heard all about it, but exactly what is scalloping and what do you need to do it. Set a reminder to call to us then to make room and boat reservations.
Direct transit of legallyharvested bay scallops is allowed through closed areas. How to scallop homosassa springs homosassa springs marina. Note you have to check the website each year to see when harvesting begins in your region. Marker one leaves at 8am and 1 pm during scallop season every day. Bay scallops are easily found in 2 8 feet of water. 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. Enjoy scalloping in steinhatchee and surrounding areas. Fwc just announced that scallop season will open on june 15, 2019 and closed on september 10, 2019. Steinhatchee is the place to go for a great family scallop trip and the location of sunset place is premium. The scallop report is for very large scallops and big numbers. Scalloping 2017 steinhatchee florida gopro 4k youtube. 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.