the great scallop hunt

Enjoy a day of recreational family fun on the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. ›

Beginning July 1, recreational scalloping season opens up from Cedar Key to Aripeka. Although thousands of people make their way out into the Gulf of Mexico for this annual pilgrimage, Captain Erica Toney of Homosassa recommends waiting a week.

“There were 5,000-plus boats out in the scallop beds on 2016’s opening day,” Captain Toney shares. “I suggest that my clients try for a weekday to provide more space for hunting.”

She describes the scalloping experience as akin to an Easter egg hunt, only underwater.

“You ride out to the Ozello flats in just a few feet of water; don a mask, fins and snorkel; put up a dive flag and enter the water with your net bag to hold the bounty.” It is an easy, relaxing activity that anyone of any age can enjoy.

Erica recommends piloting your vessel out to where there is a congregation of

By Diane Bedard

other boats, instead of searching in lone areas.

“I like to tell my clients that we are going out into the middle of those boats so that the sharks will eat them first,” she says with a grin and a giggle, “In reality, I have never heard of any shark attacks while scalloping, and I am a fourth-generation captain in the Homosassa area.”

It takes a little time to get used to seeing in the water, but once you identify your first scallop, recognizing them gets easier, and it’s a lot of fun!

Without a captain, be sure to have a saltwater fishing license for each person 16 and up. Scalloping is so easy and fun that families often bring picnics to enjoy a day on the water.

Using plenty of sunscreen and staying hydrated are paramount for enjoying your time scalloping, whether you float and grab, dip a net or swim below the surface to gain your prize.

Erica recommends using Homosassa’s public boat ramp at the end of Yulee Drive. The trick is to have a place to park after launching. Next door to the public boat ramp is the Homosassa Riverside Resort, which charges $10 to launch but provides a tagged parking spot. Some local residents will let you park in their yard for fees ranging from $10 to $20 and then shuttle you to the ramp in their golf cart.

Captain Toney’s favorite way to eat the fresh-caught bay scallops is raw or ceviche. A close second is fried.

“Put a little flour, salt, pepper and cornmeal together,” she says. “Roll the scallop meat in the breading and flash fry them. So good—but there isn’t a bad way to eat them. Just make sure not to overcook the little guys.”