In the Florida gulf counties, if its mid June – It’s scallop season! woohoo! Well maybe not in all the gulf counties. But, Taylor and Dixie counties say come on. And come they do. Scalloping season started June 15th in Dixie and Taylor. They always get a jump on the season but end it sooner than their neighboring counties. Who can blame them though. Scalloping in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Florida is a trip to remember. People travel from near and far to enjoy the beautiful tranquil waters of Florida’s gulf coast. The wonderful thing about scalloping…and I’m not sure I should be telling you this, after all we would like to keep it a secret. It’s an amazing time for young and old. Children old enough to hold their breath and seniors young enough to hold their breath or snorkel can get in on the action. Scalloping is done in no deeper than 2 – 8 feet of water normally. If you can wear a mask you can find a Scallop.
There are a few tricks to finding the best spots though. Just like anything else, they have habitat they enjoy more than others. Look for them in the eel grass, shells open and sifting the water for food. Their neon blue eyes help give them away. Scallops can be elusive or at least they try to be. For something that’s made up of two shells and a muscle they have learned to move pretty well. If you are a tender soul that thinks “Awe those poor scallops” there’s good news. Scallops in the gulf only live for one year. By the time the season opens they have shed their row and are on the decline. You may find some from the previous year but that is rare and not because of the harvest the year before. It amazes me how fast these wonders can grow and grow they do. The first weeks, up until the July 4th weekend limits are 1 gallon per person with a maximum of 5 gallons per boat. After the 4th the limit is raised to 2 gallons per person and a maximum of 10 gallons per boat. Early bird gets the worm but those that come later get bounty. Studies have shown that the scallop population is rather hit or miss county by county. One year they are here the next they are there. There are a lot of factors that dictate where these wonders of nature will be. Water salinity, storms, currents etc. play a big roll in large harvest locations. each scallop lays millions of eggs. They are both female and male in their reproductive cycle. Out of 12 million eggs 1 may make it to maturity and there are still plenty to go around. It never stops amazing me how God can produce and distribute so much protein around the world. Whether it be ducks in a flight path or scallops in a gulf, nature provides.
We still however must remain good stewards of the bounty we are given. That said we should respect the man cause he is there, and there is where he should be. People 16 years old and older must have a valid saltwater fishing license. Limits are strictly enforced as well as all boating rules and regulations. They keep it safe and fair for us all.
There are a few items you want to have with you. First and foremost, a boat. If you don’t have a boat your still not out of the hunt. There are many places along the gulf coast that will rent you a boat by the day. Second your going to want a nice mask and snorkel. these can be had from many sources from Walmart to US Divers, Aqualung and the like. Fins may not be a must have, but I can’t imagine fighting the current without them. Your going to need a mesh bag for your bounty and a cooler to keep them in. last but not least a huge bottle of sunscreen or a tight fitting long sleeve shirt to protect you from the sun and the occasional jellyfish that may cross your path. Sunscreen will keep you from shedding your entire back but it won’t help with jellyfish, ouch! You will need a dive flag and buoy for when your in the water so other boaters will know to look out for you and your party.
To sum it all up, if you can make it out to the beautiful gulf coast of Florida for a day or a week of scalloping fun, you will not be disappointed. To tell you the truth the scallops are just the reason to come. The good times and fun are what bring you back!