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. Come and enjoy our beautiful home right on the widest part of the homosassa river. Part snorkeling experience, part underwater easter egg hunt and part saltwater fishing trip, scalloping along the unspoiled shores of crystal river and homosassa provides. Crystal river fishing charter inshore backcountry fishing. Mar 29, 2020 homosassa is a laid back villagelike area there were a few bartiki places we visited, and had some good seafood from shellys. The florida fish and wildlife conservation commission regulates harvesting of scallops, like it does all of floridas fisheries, and the recreational bay scallop harvest season begins the last saturday in juneunless july 4th is a saturday and ends september 24th. 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. During scalloping season, july 1st through september 10th, people from all over the area head out to the homosassa bay and other bays along the florida gulf coast in search of this wonderful seafood. Scallop season 2016 with scallop season 2016 in full swing the reports from everyone from steinhatchee to homosassa are coming in and the word is lots of limits coming over the side of the boat. It is that time of year to go scalloping again with the 2017 scallop season here. With a bag limit of a specific number of scallops, shucking on water could be prohibited by the time the season begins in st. Searching for scallops is so much fun it has made citrus county a world famous destination for this unique and satisfying activity.
Homosassa scallop season starts saturday, a threeday head start on the usual july 1 opening. Maine sea scallop fishery information general scallop information. Our captains will take you to the best grass beds to fill your bags and later your bellies. When you need a crystal river fishing charter for an inshore or backcountry day on the water call captain jeremiah carlucci. It was a great year for the guides and the scallopers. Nothing beats a day on the water with family and friends. In franklinwakulla area, density decreased 28 in 2016 to 20 in 2017 but the percentage of stations with scallops present increased.
Great news the florida wildlife commission fwc has approved no changes for the 2017 scallop season in citrus county. Scallop season also raises the interest of those who advocate for the safe disposal of scallop shells. The scallop hunter complete resource for recreational. During scallop season in florida, boaters and swimmers flock to places like port st. Each year, the florida fish and wildlife commission evaluates the bay scallop population and decides upon the appropriate season for recreational harvesting. Florida scallop season officially started on june 16th in dixie county and parts of taylor county and closes on september 10th. Scalloping season ozello boats captain mark and monica gave us an excellent experience for our first scalloping adventure. Jul 06, 2016 friends an fun on opening weekend of homosassa florida scallop season. Its hard to fine unit rentals in homosassa and the last resort provides a solution to this.
Homosassa, chassahowitzka and crystal river, florida fishing. Scalloping tour, boat rental, homosassa fl, gulf of mexico. Scallop season dates for levy, citrus, and hernando counties. This region includes all state waters south of the hernando pasco county line and north of the anclote key lighthouse in northern pinellas county and includes all waters of the anclote river. Homosassa pre season scalloping report 2018 with scallop season only less than a month away many are wondering how plentiful the scallops are.
Joseph bay, the steinhatchee and keaton beach areas of the big bend, and the areas near the crystal and homosassa rivers. 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. Scallops are fun to find and delicious to eat, and just off the homosassa river are some of the richest scallop grounds in the state. How to scallop homosassa springs homosassa springs marina. Joe, keaton beach, steinhatchee, crystal river and homosassa. The 2016 abundance survey showed that bay scallops were plentiful in areas around steinhatchee, homosassa, and st. If youve ever seen a shell gas station, then you know what the shape of the scallop shell looks like. Recreational harvesters need a florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops unless they are 1. Updated fwc shortens, but does not suspend, bay scallop season. Homosassa scalloping charters scalloping homosassa charters. Direct transit of legallyharvested bay scallops is allowed through closed areas. Joseph bay scallop density increased 2 scallops per survey station in 2016 to 7 in 2017. Floridas 2016 bay scallop season starts june 25th good hunt. Learn how to scallop, plan a trip, get the latest news and advice, and learn how to cook your scallops.
July 1726, 2020 opens third friday in july and continues 10 days. Plenty of the tasty morsels out there, some areas better than others. Recreational bay scallop season begins this weekend on june 25th, 2016. Our master captain will lead your group to the gulf of mexico for 4. Recreational scallop season 2016 nature coast biological. You can get together with your family and friends for a fun filled day on the water scalloping, in crystal river or homosassa florida. Levy, citrus and hernando counties including cedar key, crystal river, and homosassa. Florida has some of the best recreational scalloping in the world. Homosassa, chassahowitzka and crystal river, florida is home to some of the best light tackle saltwater fishing in the world. Recreational bay scallop season begins on june 25th, 2016. Native sun scallop charters in homosassa and crystal river are filled with fun and excitement. If you put in from homosassa it takes a little while to get out to the gulf if that is where you are heading. If you are coming with your own boat, remember the rules of water ways and always watch for the divers. Recreational scallop season 2017 nature coast biological.
This backcountry fishing guide offers full and half day charters for trout, redfish, flounder, snook, tarpon, cobia, inshore grouper, makrel, snapper, and scallops. Jun 07, 2018 the 2017 bay scallop abundance survey showed that scallops are less abundant than in 2016 but more evenly spread out across the scalloping grounds. 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. Gopro 2016 scallop season homosassa florida youtube. The decision came two days before the bay scallop season began statewide. A few weeks ago, she texted me to say a renter was worried because shed heard scallop season was moved until after the fourth of july which her family had already booked. Friends an fun on opening weekend of homosassa florida scallop season. Joe bay at the june 23 meeting near apalachicola, the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc approved measures to conserve bay scallops in the st. This tour is perfect for a large group of friends or family who love to have adventures together. Fwc proposes later scallop season news the star, port st. Citrus county was once home to a thriving population of bay scallops, but in 1994, the area was closed for several years to scallop harvesting. The house was comfortable for us and we mostly cooked in. Jun 30, 2016 but, the board of the fwc last week also took note of the economics and input from some sectors that any season was better than no season and decided to shorten, but not suspend, the 2016 bay scallop harvest season in st.
But you dont have to be a certified diver to enjoy it. 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. A florida scallop scooper willing to travel will be able to harvest these tasty little morsels from june 16th through september 30th. Auckland scallop season opens today 1 september the. Full kitchen, tv, back deck, boat slips, and boat ramp make this a great place to choose for scallop season or for the cobia tournament. So far scallop season has been a resounding success, and we are looking to finish strong from both our homosassa and crystal river locations. Instead, the season will open late and close early august 22 september 5, 2016 and the bag limit will be reduced to 40 scallops per person or 200 per vessel whichever is less. View bay scallop web survey taps recreational harvesters for more information. Personal scallop picking party private tour up to 12 passengers homosassa. The units are a doublewide that has been split in half and each half is the equivalent of a hotel room. We snorkeled and dove to find the adorable shellfish and were pleasantly tired when it came time to go back to the dock. Our scallop captains in homosassa will put you on the scallops. Discover scalloping from crystal river to homosassa bay, florida if you have never scalloped but love eating them, think of an easter egg hunt while swimming above shallow saltwater grass flats.
Piles of discarded scallop shells can create hazards for swimmers and damage seagrass habitat. See the fwcs 2017 scallop abundance report for the most current information available. There are many small tributaries that you will find along the homosassa. Joe is historically a popular spot for scalloping in florida but is closed for scalloping this 2017 season until further notice. Homosassa scalloping charters and tours homosassa, fl. 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. Its like a giant easter egg hunt under water in july and august.
Instead, the season will open late and close early july 25 september 10, 2017 but this year the bag limit has been returned to the standard bag limit. Crystal river scalloping scallop season crystal river fl. The exception is the kaipara harbour, where a temporary closure to scallop gathering is in place until 28 november. With scallop season 2016 in full swing the reports from everyone from steinhatchee to homosassa are coming in and the word is lots of limits coming over the side of the boat. The recreational season for gathering scallops in the auckland and kermadec fishery management area, which includes northland, waikato and the bay of plenty, starts today, the 1st september.
Recreational boating in the nature coast reaches peak levels during scallop season, so expect congestion. Ed brennan, has extensive local knowledge to make your next florida fishing charter an experience of a lifetime. Scalloping in homosassa is also considered to be the nature coast treasure hunt. Homosassa crystal river steinhatchee scallop season. Located approximately 1 hour from tampa, homosassa is a scallop hunters dream.
The season in pasco county waters is a trial season. The 2017 bay scallop abundance survey showed that scallops are less abundant than in 2016 but more evenly spread out across the scalloping grounds. The 2017 season, which fwc researchers indicated was in peril depending on actions taken in 2016, with a recommendation of suspension, was left to be determined next year. Florida scalloping on the homosassa river is a great way to enjoy a hot summer day and blue heaven river tours offers what our customers rave is one of the most comfortable, safest and best scallop boats on the water. We offer private scallop charters and group scalloping trips in homosassa and homosassa springs. The homosassa scalloping report shows good numbers of scallops this year. Harvest permitted only by hand or by using a landing or dip net. Find charters in homosassa, crystal river, steinhatchee and. Recreational scalloping in floridaflorida sea grant. The 2018 numbers are not available yet they are likely to be released in july 2018. This years season will begin on saturday, july 1st and end on sunday, september 24th.
Joseph bay, here youll find some of the tastiest scallops in the sunshine state. Aug 22, 2019 its hard to fine unit rentals in homosassa and the last resort provides a solution to this. Scallop season 2016 with scallop season 2016 in full swing the reports from everyone. Scalloping it is like easter egg hunting in the water, while you are snorkeling around gathering scallops you will be. Summer is the time when the florida scalloping season officially kicks off. Plantation on crystal river remains open for limited business. Joseph bay once the scallop season has sufficiently rebounded from a 2016 collapse. Jan 10, 2018 every year, folks call carolyn clamoring to rent the homosassa river house during scallop season, usually a full year in advance. Recreational scallop season 2017 nature coast biological station.
Our florida style golf course continues to serve guests and provides an excellent source of exercise. On opening weekend of scallop season 2016 are boats picked up at 8am in homosassa and crystal river and had their limits of scallops in a few hours. Jul, 2015 the homosassa river is a beautiful river. Scalloping season for 2019 is between july 1 through september 24. Homosassa scalloping charters scalloping homosassa. Please do not discard scallop shells in inshore waters commonly used for recreational activities such as the homosassa river or crystal river. At one time scallops were reported from as far east as west palm beach and as far west as pensacola. Season opens the saturday before july 1st every year. Joseph bay will not open with the rest of the harvest areas. Crystal river scallops sportsmans adventures 2017 season 23, episode 6 duration. Scallop season is here crystal river fishing adventures. Constant thunderstorming interrupted what started out to be a dynamite 2015 scallop year off the homosassa area, for us at least. At one time scallops were reported from palm beach to pensacola. Fwri research on scallop populations in this area shows scallop numbers are very low, likely because of a red tide event last year.
Scallop season 2016 is in full swing homosassa scalloping. The screenedin porch was the best part and we ate most meals there except a couple of days when it cooled down. Today, healthy populations can only be found in selected locations along floridas west coastprincipally st. If youve never been scalloping before, the best way to explain it is that youre on an underwater easter egg hunt. Establish a 10day open season to run july 2029, 2018. Scalloping homosassa will truly be a day to remember. Jun 30, 2016 but, the board of the fwc last week also took note of the economics and input from some sectors that any season was better than no season and decided to shorten, but not suspend, the 2016 bay. 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. Maine scallop fishing laws and regulations see chapter 11 scallops management maine. Red ed brennan february 28, 2017 homosassa saltwater fishing report. The percentage of stations with scallops present increased. Lots of grassflats, warm water and friendly people await to make your trip most memorable.
Seatotable family fun during florida scallop season summertime is florida scallop season, when seafood lovers and adventure travelers head into the shallow waters off the coast and gather up handfuls of scallops by the dozens. So nows the time to get prepared to grab your share of the tasty. The 2016 season has been postponed from august 22nd to september 6th in this location. Scalloping in homosassa and the gulf coast area crystal. General information from the national marine fisheries service. Jul 10, 2016 family trip to homosassa for the 2016 scallop season. Scallop season 2019 opens july 1st and closes september 24th. Scalloping season starts july 1st in crystal river. The scallop season opened on thursday and keen scallopers will be heading out to check the condition of the early season delicacies. Recreational scalloping season 2018 ufifas nature coast. Scallop shells can be discarded in a trash receptacle or in larger bodies of water where they are more. 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 florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc set the 2020 bay scallop season in gulf county including st. Floridas scallop fishery has been open only to recreational harvest since commercial harvest and sale was prohibited in 1994. 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. Manatee, fish, and crabs are just a few of the things youll find swimming in the river. Call manatee tour and dive 186679533 to book your next scallop expedition.
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