Commission regulates harvesting of scallops, like it does all of floridas fisheries, and the 2020 recreational bay scallop harvest season begins wednesday july 1, 2020. Theres no doubt that this year features an outstanding crop of scallops, and opening weekend couldnt have gone much better. Since scalloping reopened in the crystal river area in 2002, after being banned for several years, crystal river has proven to be one of the most poplar areas for scalloping. 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. Scallop season dates for levy, citrus, and hernando counties levy, citrus and hernando counties including cedar key, crystal river, and homosassa. The florida bay scallop is a bivalve mollusk that lives in seagrass beds in. Crystal river scallop report, 74, from a very reliable source. Its family fun this time of year with the start of scallop season, so grab your snorkeling gear and lets hit the water. Scallop season 2020 will open july 1st and end september 24th. We can muster up several captainsboats for large groups 3525868068. Scallop hunt semiprivate 6 passenger vessel crystal river.
Scalloping season begins at the beginning of july until early september every year. Your guide will show the best scalloping spots in crystal river. Providing family fun scallop tours since march 2001. Floridas sweet bay scallops are a delicious treat and available for harvest during a short time each summer. Bay scallop season and abundance survey 2019 annual abundance survey each summer, biologists assess bay scallop populations along the gulf coast of florida, located in open and closed recreational harvest areas. Piles of discarded scallop shells can create hazards for swimmers and damage seagrass habitat. Havent had a ton of trips but staying as busy as i want to be. Go to the bird rack head north about 12 to 1 mile stop on the grass flat6 to 8 of water low tide is better. Scalloping charters private scalloping charters out of crystal river, florida. July is the beginning of the 2014 scallop season and the vast array of grass flats from crystal river to homosassa is where you can count on gathering a bag full of these tasty bivalves. A full moon and king tides combined with plenty of summer rain freshwater influx most likely are the reasons for the lower scallop counts this year.
Levy, citrus and hernando counties including cedar key, crystal river and homosassa. The states scallop experts say they are keeping an eye on reduced populations of the popular mollusk, but optimistic that a slow start to the harvesting season will be followed by a rebound in numbers as it continues, and in subsequent years. Harvesting is done about 23 miles from shore in the gulf, and can be found almost anywhere eelgrass is located. Crystal river scallops sportsmans adventures 2017 season 23, episode 6 duration. This page contains information on this years scallop season, picturesinformation on scallops and how to book your scallop charter today. Its been nice to actually get stuff done around the houseyard. Birds underwater dive center crystal river scalloping. How to scallop homosassa springs homosassa springs marina. With the passing of one of the most celebrated holidays in the country comes another celebration for the openings of both gag grouper season and scallop season.
Its no wonder people come from all over the country to go scalloping in our local waters. Its looking pretty good in the homosassa and crystal river. Ive seen lots of posts asking questions on scallops, thought id share some tips. All that you need is a mask and snorkel and a mesh bag to hold your scallops in. Scalloping in crystal river scalloping charters crystal. A family tradition in crystal river scalloping in the gulf coast. During floridas scallop season hiring a crystal river or homosassa guide makes snorkeling for and collecting sweet bay scallops easy. July is the beginning of the 2014 scallop season and the vast array of grass flats from crystal river to homosassa is where you can count on. The scallops are plentiful this year in crystal river. The scallops were not thick in the shallower water 34 ft range and most reports of bag limits of scallops have been found in deeper water 57 ft. Scallops will finally be ready for harvest in levy, citrus and hernando counties beginning monday july 1 through sept. Feel the wind in your hair, smell the salt in the air and bask in the sunshine while we take care of the details. Early opening of bay scallop season 2014 homosassa.
Crystal river scalloping scallop season crystal river fl. Scalloping season for 2019 is between july 1 through september 24. Opening the season early and on a weekend will create additional recreational opportunities for florida residents and visitors while recognizing the importance of economic benefits to coastal communities where this. Scalloping in crystal river is an exciting recreation for the whole family. Crystal river scallop report, 74, from a very reliable. Scalloping in the crystal river national wildlife refuge homosassa. Fwcs population data wont be available to june but, we will begin scouting ourselves in april and may to see how.
If you arent finding scallops right away, pick up and move a few hundred yards. The eggs then attach to blades of grass, and grow until the summer scallop season. Know mostly for its manatee population, it also is a terrific place for scalloping in florida. Engine trouble from the album bass chalice by 10 gp. Crystal river, florida fishing reports cyberangler. Since then the continued success of our 20 scallop season has transitioned into this 2014 season as well.
A major highlight of the summer has been the abundance and size of the giant black drum that have been roaming the shallow water flats along the crystal river areas. Governor rick scott announces early opening of bay scallop season. Our social membership holders are still encouraged and welcome to play golf, swim in the pool, soak in the hot tub under 10 people only at a time, play tennis, volle. Full episode westerntidewater, va season 3, episode 15. The season starts this saturday, june 28th and will conclude september 24th. Tallahassee today, governor rick scott announced the bay scallop season will open three days early this year. If you are planning on scalloping, head north of the pascohernando county line. Lets move on because we do have a 2015 scallop season beginning this weekend.
Scallop season started out great it is still hit or miss on locations. Its looking pretty good in the homosassa and crystal river area. Scalloping season usually starts in june or july and ends in september. Crystal river springs and scallop grounds, aug 2014. During their meeting wednesday outside tallahassee, the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc set the season in state waters off the coasts of levy, citrus and hernando counties for july 1 through sept. Scalloping season starts july 1st in crystal river. Scalloping season in crystal river check out tripadvisor members 12,090 candid photos and videos of crystal river. The crystal clear waters surrounding the nature coast are teaming with vast eel and turtle grass flats which make fantastic habitats for these tasty.
Homosassa scalloping report 2014 with scallop season opening early this year and the first reports for scalloping coming in for 2014. Early opening of bay scallop season 2014 homosassa scalloping. What could be more fun than spending the day on the water, relaxing and diving for bay scallops with your family or friends. Here is another clear water day from 2014, which also includes some great footage of three sisters springs up in kings bay. Scallop fishing gear is quite different than your traditional fishing gear. Crystal river is not only a scallop mecca, but also offers some very unique access to springs and a glimpse of old florida. Ive been scalloping for over 10 years, all out of crystal river where i used to live. Scallop season varies but in 2018 it was the first of july to sept 24th. Big fish, tasty fish and a few exotics have made this summer season one to remember. Onthewater visual surveys during scallop season b reads to me as more vessel stops. You are welcome to bring your own equipment if you like. Wrapping up our homosassa springs scalloping guide youre now a scalloper. Citrus county, specifically crystal river and homosassa, is a bountiful and popular destination for scalloping. Homosassa scalloping report 2014 homosassa scalloping.
Florida bay scallop 2014 annual report and 2015 abundance. Redfish and scalloping report homosassa flats chance. 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. Vacation rentals in central florida, bike the withlacoochee trail and enjoy scalloping. Scallop season in florida crystal river, florida facebook. Scalloping in crystal river 2020 scalloping season crystal river, fl. See more ideas about crystal river, crystal river florida and scalloping in florida. Scalloping season in crystal river diane j, may 2014 crystal river. Scallop season crystal river fishing report fishingbooker. Please do not discard scallop shells in inshore waters commonly used for recreational activities such as the homosassa river or crystal river. As great as the scallop season has been, the fishing has been even better along the nature coast. That is a pretty warm time here, so getting into the water feels great. For more information from fwc on the 2014 season, please click here. We have been staying in 56 feet of water early morning has been the best time with a out going tide.
Scallops florida scalloping scallop season crystal river. I prefer the standard method of putting them on ice until they open up, pull the shells apart, use a grapefruit spoon to remove all but the actual whi. Scallop season also raises the interest of those who advocate for the safe disposal of scallop shells. Full moon is the night of the 9th and scallop season does not end till the 24th.
Nick is proudly showing off his nice 24 jerkbait that was a sucker for a doa jerkbait. Crystal river s nature coast area may be the most popular scallop harvesting destination in florida. Check out what of reel time outfitters caught on his sep 1st fishing trip in crystal river. Our florida style golf course continues to serve guests and provides an excellent source of exercise. Searching for scallops is so much fun, some people just cant get enough. Scalloping tours, scallop trips, scallop fishing charters. Take a leisurely day out of your hectic vacation and relax with. See more ideas about crystal river, kayak rentals and 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 floridas west coast. Crystal river is a terrific vacation destination year round.
The homosassa river alliance, which kicked on in earnest an education campaign last year, is hoping boaters will continue to keep scallop shells in their boats and discard them once on land, in a trash container. Trout will have to come throughout the scallop fleet to come inshore, but the scallops are starting to get slim, to say the least, on the crystal river side of things. The bag limit is 2 gallons of whole scallops per person per day. We have been staying in 56 feet of water early morning has been the best. 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.
Gulf scallop season opens with a bang garys tackle box. Observing and preserving nature above, in and under water. Scalloping in the gulf by crystal river and homosassa, florida. Scuba divers and snorkelers are required to carry and display a diversdown flag. 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. We provide masks, snorkel, fins, scallop bag, and the required state license. I was using a dive tank with a 100 hose and the tank is on a float. I am without firsthand knowledge of where the scallops are congregating at this point. Sep 01, 2014 yes, i know, this is the scallop grounds. Scalloping season in crystal river picture of crystal.
Opening the season early and on a weekend will create additional recreational opportunities for florida residents and visitors while recognizing the importance of. Population dip not cause for concern, say scallop scientists. Opens july 1st 2020 closes september 25th 2020 now taking reservations for the. What you need to know there are many reasons to celebrate summer in florida, and many others to curse it, but one of the best treats is the opening of scallop season. Scallop shells can be discarded in a trash receptacle or in larger bodies of water where they are more. With scallop season opening early this year and the first reports for scalloping coming in for 2014. Plantation on crystal river remains open for limited business. Scalloping crystal river is a fun relaxing way to spent time on the water. The scalloping grounds run west to the west bank of the mexico beach canal in bay county and remain open through sept. April crystal river fishing report the weather and the fishing has been off the charts. Jun 21, 2016 lastly, the scalloping season usually runs from july 1 through september 10th.
Scalloping in homosassa and the gulf coast area crystal. Scientists look at longterm trends in the abundance of scallops in both the open and closed areas and present those findings to the division. Harvest periods, harvest locations and fishing regulations are subject to change. Planning on going scalloping this bay scallop season. Call manatee tour and dive 186679533 to book your next scallop expedition. Scallop season generally begins the last saturday of june and closes on september 24th each year. Aug 29, 2018 scallop season has been great this summer. Jul 24, 2018 season opens annually june 27th to september 25th visit. Places to stay in crystal river the scallop hunter. Historically, july 1st has been the landmark day for the opening of our nature coast scallop season. Spots are filling up quick so plan ahead and book now.
Armadas of divers gather every year at least off the homosassa crystal river area. A family tradition in crystal river plantation on crystal river. Florida scalloping season opens july 1st in crystal river. Scalloping charters scalloping in crystal river, fl. The daily limit is two gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or one pint of bay scallop meat per person. A great family activity, old and young alike can participate. The most popular scalloping spots near the tampa bay area are crystal river, homosassa, and steinhatchee.