Are we ready for the opening of Scallop Season ??

I know I am . Scalloping is one of the exceptionally fun family things to do on the water here in the Panhandle . The reports I have recieved  for all of our local areas including Lanark Villiage, St Marks as well as Port St. Joe are great with lots of Scallops. I make a point of going a few times during the season by water from Apalachicola through the Intracoastal Waterway and down “the ditch” into St Joe Bay . Its a beatiful ride and if you are good scallop cleaners and have the right amount of people to clean your catch , you have it all done before you get home .You of course can go by car and scallop on foot , but what fun is that ? No boating in the mix .

A Bimini Top is a must for that long day in the sun and plenty of liquids and some lunch make a good day on the water.

I use one fin and a mask and snorkel as my preferred equipment , some like no fin and some swim with two. Dont forget your dive flag and mesh bag for the little critters . Marine Patrol is out there checking . Here are the regs;

Open harvest season for bay scallops along Florida’s gulf coast begins July 1 and runs through September 10. State waters in the Gulf of Mexico open to scallop harvest extend from the Pasco-Hernando County line (near Aripeka—latitude 28 degrees, 26.016 minutes North) to the west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County (longitude 85 degrees, 25.84 minutes West). It is illegal to possess bay scallops on water outside open harvest areas. It is also illegal to land scallops outside open harvest areas. For example, it would be legal to take scallops from waters off the Hernando County coast, but it would be illegal to dock your boat in Pasco County with the scallop catch onboard.

Recreational harvesters are limited to two gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell, or one pint of bay scallop meat, per day during the open season. In addition, recreational scallopers may possess no more than 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell, or ½ gallon of bay scallop meat, aboard any vessel at any time. Bay scallops may be harvested only by hand or with a landing or dip net. They may not be harvested for commercial purposes.

Have fun and be safe !!!!!

Marc [ the fistales man ]