Let’s Go Scalloping! A unique outdoor adventure your family will never forget
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by Laura Byrne
Your cure for the summer boredom blues is here: The 2021 scalloping season in Tampa Bay! Opening in the summertime, scalloping season in Florida stretches from Pasco County north through the Florida panhandle. If you’ve never been scalloping before, you probably have questions. We did too, so let’s get to it!
First, what exactly are scallops and what kind of scallops will I find in Tampa Bay? Scallops are bivalve mollusks like clams, mussels and oysters. But, unlike clams and oysters, scallops can swim! In the Tampa Bay Area, you’ll find...surprise, surprise, bay scallops! They’re smaller than the sea scallops you may be accustomed to ordering at your favorite restaurant, but they are just as tasty. Bay scallops are also more tender on the bite than sea scallops.
Where can I go scalloping in Tampa Bay? There are so many spots to go scalloping! Some of our local favorites are Crystal River, Homosassa and Pasco County. In fact, you can even make a prolonged stay out of it by booking a stay and tour with Plantation on Crystal River. One added bonus: You can even book a tour to swim with the manatees. Crystal River is one of the few spots where you can legally book a tour to swim with the beautiful and gentle animals. Pro Tip: Weekdays are best if you want to avoid the crowds. Later in the season, you’re also more likely to get larger scallops.
Is this a kid-friendly activity? Absolutely! Babies and toddlers may not be able to enjoy the full experience, but elementary aged kids and older will love it.
Do I need a permit or license to go
scalloping?
If you decide to go out on your own boat, then yes, you will need a salt water fishing license. But, if you go on a guided tour like one booked with Plantation on Crystal River, they take care of that for you. Tours and charters are definitely the hassle-free way to go! Check out Visit Florida’s website to find out more about other guided tours.
What do I need to bring with me? Bring a can-do attitude, snorkel, mask, fins, mesh bag and dive FLORIDA 2021 BAY SCALLOP SEASONS: f lag so other boaters know you are in the waLevy, Citrus, Hernando Counties: July 1-Sept. 24 ter. Safety first! You can Pasco County: July 16-25 bring your own water Gulf County: Aug. 16-Sept. 24 and snacks, but if you Franklin to NW Taylor County: July 1-Sept. 24 book a tour, your boat St Joseph Bay and Gulf County: Aug. 16-Sept. 24 captain will likely take care of these items for you, which is yet another reason a guided tour Once I’ve caught the scallops, is so much better! Plus, the guides know then what? all the secret spots where you can find the most scallops! Clean, shuck and cook them! If you’d
How do I catch a scallop?
rather leave that up to the pros, there are places that will do it all for you.
You’ll typically find the bay scallops among the sea grass in about 3-6 feet of water. Be on the lookout for the row of blue, beady looking eyes around the rim.
At Plantation on Crystal River, a family at the marina will clean and shuck your scallops for a fee. You can then take your bag of scallops to the West 82° Bar & Grill where the chef will cook them for you! The meal is $14.95 and comes with your choice of sauce and two sides. (The lemon butter sauce is absolutely delicious. We are still dreaming about it!)
Scalloping is often compared to an underwater egg hunt, only more challenging because scallops can swim! That’s right! You’ll want to go in for the catch quickly when you spot the scallop. They are able to make swift movements by opening and closing their shells. Careful, because the quick open and close movements can snap at fingers. It won’t take off fingers, but you’ll definitely feel the pinch. You can catch scallops by hand or use a small dip net.
Is there a limit on how many bay scallops I can collect? You betcha, and this is to help protect the species and future scalloping seasons. The current daily bag limit in the Tampa Bay Area, which includes Pasco and Citrus counties, is 2 gallons of whole bay scallops per person. One boat cannot have more than 10 gallons of whole bay scallops.
If I want to make this more than a daycation, where should my family stay? We like Plantation on Crystal River because there are so many other things you can do when you’re not out on a scalloping adventure. As we mentioned above, they offer guided tours to legally swim with the manatees. There are also opportunities to go out gulf fishing, go for a sunset cruise, swing some rounds of golf, book a spa package, go kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding and more! Plantation on Crystal River is offering special rates for Florida residents. JULY 2021 TampaBayParenting.com
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