We will be open from 95 daily for tank fills and gear sales and hope to be running tours in the very near future. Our captains will take you to the best grass beds to fill. Captain randy hodges is a 5th generation floridian with generations of experience in fishing and hunting the west coast of florida. Help biologists learn more about how many bay scallops live along floridas gulf coast by submitting your bay. Call manatee tour and dive 1 86679533 to book your next scallop expedition.
This includes crystal river, homosassa and steinhatchee, the most popular spots near us. Our captains will take you to the best grass beds to fill your bags and later your bellies. All other areas open to the harvest of bay scallops zone 3 july 1. Recreational bay scallop season is quickly approaching.
Fun day in the gulf to do some scalloping off of crystal river, florida. Recreational harvesters need a florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops unless they are 1. Its no wonder people come from all over the country to go scalloping in our local waters. 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. Searching for scallops is so much fun, some people just cant get enough. Enjoy a full day of scallop hunting in the gulf of mexico. 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. Crystal river is not only a scallop mecca, but also offers some very unique access to springs and a glimpse of old florida.
Scalloping season usually starts in june or july and ends in september. 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. Recreational scallop season 2017 nature coast biological. The scallop population in pasco county decreased from 2017 to 2018. Crystal river design tshirts 2017 scallop life tshirts. Scallop season 2017 shrimpnfishflorida is floridas. Harvest periods, harvest locations and fishing regulations are subject to change. We provide masks, snorkel, fins, scallop bag, and the required state license. Fwcs population data wont be available to june but, we will begin scouting ourselves in april and may to see how.
Over the past week weve had near perfect conditions. Fwc approves bay scallop season changes for 2017 walton. Scallop report swim with manatees in crystal river. Scalloping season starts july 1st in crystal river. Scallops florida scalloping scallop season crystal river. Our scallop trips go out once a day to the gulf of mexico, off floridas beautiful nature coast where we find our scallops. Its like a giant easter egg hunt under water in july and august.
The 2017 scallop season starts in crystal river on july 1st through september 24th. Scalloping charters scalloping in crystal river, fl. Scallop season, bay scallops, fun2dive, river ventures, red eds adventures, scallop charters, shucking scallops, crystal river, homosassa. Scallop season starts a week early this year and runs two extra weeks. Scalloping archives nature coast biological station. We have lots of great open dates after the july 1st weekend. On todays adventure july 20, 2019 we went to crystal river and tried our luck with scalloping. Bay scallop season opens in florida gulf waters salt. When you need a crystal river fishing charter for an inshore or backcountry day on the water call captain jeremiah carlucci.
Crystal river florida scalloping trips family adventure. We are saddened to announce that the city of crystal river has ceased all water based tourism until further notice. Scallops are caught by hand, while snorkeling along the beautiful salt water grass flats of crystal river and homosassa florida. Florida is blessed to have so many manatees making crystal river their home year round. Bring your towel and a lunch for an enjoying day on the water. A prolonged red tide event in late 2015 negatively impacted the scallop population in st. These changes are for 2017 only and are an opportunity to explore regionallyspecific bay scallop seasons. The florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc set the 2020 bay scallop season in gulf county including st. Ocala post fwc approves bay scallop season changes for 2017. Scallop shells can be discarded in a trash receptacle or in larger bodies of water where they are more. Well the 2017 season is going to be here before we know it.
Levy, citrus and hernando counties including cedar key, crystal river, and homosassa. Scalloping in homosassa and the gulf coast area crystal. Crystal river scallops sportsmans adventures 2017 season 23, episode 6 duration. 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. Crystal river opening weekend of scallop season 2018 youtube. Toll free 18887322692 local 5279533 email if youre driving north from tampa on us 19.
This page contains information on this years scallop season, picturesinformation on scallops and how to book your scallop charter today. Captain hagaman gets captain rick murphy into the crystal river off the west coast of florida to scoop up scallops during the mollusks short. Recreational bay scallop season begins on june 25th, 2016. Crystal river manatees get visitors from all around the world and the 50 states. Southern edge outfitters fishing charters hog hunting and. Cant say were pulling in limits but were bringing back decent numbers with good swimmers. This backcountry fishing guide offers full and half day charters for trout, redfish, flounder, snook, tarpon, cobia, inshore grouper, makrel, snapper, and scallops. Scallop season dates for levy, citrus, and hernando counties. Ok, now for some tips geared specifically for crystal river. Scallop season 2020 in crystal river, fl visit florida. Scallop season opens around the first of july until the 29th of september you can book anytime. So we invite you and your family to visit the crystal river manatees year round. Recreational boating in the nature coast reaches peak levels during scallop season, so expect congestion at boat ramps.
Piles of discarded scallop shells can create hazards for swimmers and damage seagrass habitat. Scalloping in crystal river is an exciting recreation for the whole family. With just a mask, snorkel and fins you, too, can jump in and experience the adventure of diving for scallops. Bay scallops live in the sea grass beds along the gulf coast of florida in. The 2017 bay scallop season for dixie county and parts of taylor county will be open from june 16 through sept. The scallops are plentiful this year in crystal river.
Citrus county and the nature coast thank everyone who comes to visit these beautiful creatures. Scallop season brings in big dollars to the crystal river area and provides family fun and despite your criticisms. Scallop season scallop season 2019 is now in full swing. It is that time of year to go scalloping again with the 2017 scallop season here. Each summer, biologists assess bay scallop populations along the gulf coast of florida, located in open and closed recreational harvest areas. Crystal rivers nature coast area may be the most popular scallop harvesting destination in florida. One of the most popular places to scallop in florida is homosassa a little town of less than.
That is a pretty warm time here in citrus county, so getting into the water feels great. Places in florida visit florida florida vacation florida travel florida beaches vacation spots florida trips florida 2017 scalloping in florida few things in life can annoy the daylights out of me like get me raging on fire pissed off more than when someone says theres nothing to do in my small town. Bay scallop fwc florida fish and wildlife conservation. The daily limit is two gallons of whole bay scallops in shell, or one pint of bay scallop meat per person. 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. The florida fish and wildlife conservation 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. Scalloping in crystal river 2020 scalloping season crystal river, fl. Scalloping season for 2019 is between july 1 through september 24. Crystal river scallops sportsmans adventures 2017 season 23. Scalloping charters private scalloping charters out of crystal river, florida. This years season will begin on saturday, july 1st and end on sunday, september 24th.
Please do not discard scallop shells in inshore waters commonly used for recreational activities such as the homosassa river or crystal river. The harvesting of bay scallops is popular in coastal communities across florida, nalley said, like in steinhatchee or crystal river. We offer manatee, scallop and dive tours that are fun for the whole family. Great news the florida wildlife commission fwc has approved no changes for the 2017 scallop season in citrus county. The grass will be straight up and down and make it easier to see them. Levy, citrus and hernando counties including cedar key, crystal river and. It is a photo of beautiful recreational boats, guides making a living and people having fun. Joseph bay, which led to modified local scallop regulations for 2016 that included a shortened season and reduced bag limits. You are welcome to bring your own equipment if you like. Call southern edge outfitters in crystal river for fishing charters hog hunting and osceola turkey hunts.
They were scarce but the water was amazing and we all certainly had a good time. 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. Crystal river fishing charter inshore backcountry fishing. Each year, the florida fish and wildlife commission evaluates the bay scallop population and decides upon the appropriate season for recreational harvesting.
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. This includes all state waters from the suwannee river through the fenholloway river. Boats are booking up fast so make your reservations today. The meat inside them is about double what they were last year so they add up quick. The season begins in two weeks in fenholloway river to suwannee river a portion of taylor county and all of dixie county zone 2 june 16 sept. Red ed brennan february 28, 2017 homosassa saltwater fishing report. Crystal river scalloping scallop season crystal river fl. These changes are for 2017 only and are an opportunity to.