Scalloping season begins at the beginning of july until early september every year. Scalloping on the nature coast is a rare and one of a kind experience. 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 crystal clear waters of the homosassa springs. Scalloping season starts july 1st in crystal river. Levy, citrus and hernando counties including cedar key, crystal river and. Bay scallops live in the sea grass beds along the gulf coast of florida in 48 feet of water. What can one say about one of the most exciting seasons in florida. Scalloping homosassa crystal river fl scalloping on the nature coast is a rare and one of a kind experience. Levy, citrus and hernando counties including cedar key, crystal river, and homosassa. We have lots of great open dates after the july 1st weekend. Charters and hotel rooms are scarce the first and last weekends of season. Call southern edge outfitters in crystal river for fishing charters hog hunting and osceola turkey hunts. Scalloping season usually starts in june or july and ends in september.
Scallop season dates for levy, citrus, and hernando counties. We invite you to come stay awhile, you are sure to take away. Nestled in the wild habitat preserves of steinhatchee, fl, the steinhatchee river inn provides the charm of a comfortable, country setting. How to scallop homosassa springs homosassa springs marina. The florida fish and wildlife conservation commission regulates harvesting of scallops, like it does all of florida s fisheries, and the 2020 recreational bay scallop harvest season begins wednesday july 1, 2020. Scallops florida scalloping scallop season crystal river. Crystal river scalloping scallop season crystal river fl. Each year, the florida fish and wildlife commission evaluates the bay scallop population and decides upon the appropriate season for recreational harvesting. Captain randy hodges is a 5th generation floridian with generations of experience in fishing and hunting the west coast of florida. This page contains information on this years scallop season, picturesinformation on scallops and how to book your scallop charter today. Scalloping in homosassa and the gulf coast area crystal. Gallery scalloping homosassa crystal river florida. Call manatee tour and dive 186679533 to book your next scallop expedition. Homosassa, fl 34448 crystal river location 2355 s ripple path.
Crystal river scallops sportsmans adventures 2017 season 23. Starting july 1st to september 25th you can get together with your family and friends for a fun filled day on the water scalloping, in crystal river or homosassa florida. Fwcs population data wont be available to june but from our recent scouting trips their numbers look to be in good shape our 2020 crystal river season runs july 1stseptember 24th. This years season will begin on saturday, july 1st and end on sunday, september 24th. Fwc seeks stability in setting scallop dates local news. We take you to locations that are approximately 3 to 6 feet deep, provide all the snorkeling equipment, mesh bags to store your catch, and even your license.
Captain hagaman gets captain rick murphy into the crystal river off the west coast of florida to scoop up scallops during the mollusks short. Crystal river scalloping book your crystal river scalloping trip with the best scalloping charter boats in florida. Enjoy a day in the gulf of mexico anchored above the crystal clear water and waving sea grass where the beautiful and delicious scallops make their home. Other great spots for scalloping in florida include st. The scallops are plentiful this year in crystal river. On a recent july afternoon, we had the chance to venture out for some scalloping in homosassa, just south of crystal river, on central florida s west coast. Great news the florida wildlife commission fwc has approved no changes for the 2017 scallop season in citrus county. The bag limit is 2 gallons of whole scallops per person per day. When you need a crystal river fishing charter for an inshore or backcountry day on the water call captain jeremiah carlucci.
Recreational harvesters need a florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops unless they are 1. We know the best locations to catch your limit of scallops and it is a great way to spend a warm summer day in the water while hunting for your dinner. Tried to do a little fishing and scalloping on opening weekend with colin and aubrey but the rain was horrible when we tried to fish. The 2020 scallop season in citrus, levy and hernando counties will be july 1 through. We provide masks, snorkel, fins, scallop bag, and the required state license. Help biologists learn more about how many bay scallops live along floridas gulf coast by submitting your bay. The scallop population in pasco county decreased from 2017 to 2018. It is that time of year to go scalloping again with the 2017 scallop season here.
The daily limit is two gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or one pint of bay scallop meat per person. Call manatee tour and dive 1 86679533 to book your next scallop expedition. Captain hagaman gets captain rick murphy into the crystal river off the west coast of florida to scoop up scallops during the mollusks short season. The splendid river views and majestic sunsets are yours to keep. Fun day in the gulf to do some scalloping off of crystal river, florida 82316. Crystal river opening weekend of scallop season 2018 youtube. Crystal river fishing charter inshore backcountry fishing.
Its like a giant easter egg hunt under water in july and august. Its no wonder people come from all over the country to go scalloping in our local waters. This site has been designed for information pertaining to swimming with the manatees, scallop charters, fishing charters, sightseeing tours and snorkelscuba excursions. Each summer, biologists assess bay scallop populations along the gulf coast of florida, located in open and closed recreational harvest areas. Private scalloping charters from crystal river, fl.
Part snorkeling experience, part underwater easter egg hunt and part saltwater fishing trip, scalloping along the unspoiled shores of crystal river and homosassa provides a salty adventure to water lovers of all ages. Steinhatchee has had the richest scalloping in florida in recent years. Scalloping in crystal river is an exciting recreation for the whole family. Fun day in the gulf to do some scalloping off of crystal river, florida. Piles of discarded scallop shells can create hazards for swimmers and damage seagrass habitat. Searching for scallops is so much fun, some people just cant get enough. Southern edge outfitters fishing charters hog hunting and. The florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc set the 2020 bay scallop season in gulf county including st. Steinhatchee river inn steinhatchee river inn official. This backcountry fishing guide offers full and half day charters for trout, redfish, flounder, snook, tarpon, cobia, inshore grouper, makrel, snapper, and scallops. With the 4 hour scallop excursion you will accompany our master captain out to the shallow grass beds of the gulf of mexico and you will be amazed at the sights. Scalloping season for 2019 is between july 1 through september 24.
The steinhatchee inn is an allsuites inn, we look forward to welcoming you. Scalloping charters scalloping in crystal river, fl. The scallop s strong adductor muscle, which provides the delicate meat that you seek, can snap the shells shut like a vise. Scalloping is often compared to an underwater easter. You are welcome to bring your own equipment if you like. People from all over love to hear those words, when fun in the water and the season s best eats arrive just in time to beat the midsummer florida heat. Our captains will take you to the best grass beds to fill. Our native scallop charter guides will lead you on the ultimate underwater treasure hunt. Harvest periods, harvest locations and fishing regulations are subject to change. Scalloping charters private scalloping charters out of crystal river, florida.
Scalloping it is like easter egg hunting in the water, while you are snorkeling around gathering scallops you will be looking at other wildlife that the gulf. The harvesting of bay scallops is popular in coastal communities across florida, nalley said, like in steinhatchee or crystal river. One of the most popular places to scallop in florida is homosassa a little town of less than. Harvesting is done about 23 miles from shore in the gulf, and can be found almost anywhere eelgrass is located. Discover crystal river florida naturecoaster inverness. Our native scallop charter guides will lead you on. On todays adventure july 20, 2019 we went to crystal river and tried our luck with scalloping. Scallop shells can be discarded in a trash receptacle or in larger bodies of water where they are more. Please do not discard scallop shells in inshore waters commonly used for recreational activities such as the homosassa river or crystal river. And remember that a scallop may look harmless, but it is a wild animal trying to survive.
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