100 Days of Summer: Scallop Hunting

Captain Jim Henley with Saltwater Fish’n in Steinhatchee, Fla., calls scallop hunting an “underwater Easter egg hunt.”

“You can reach down to pick them up and put them in your bag.”

Taking people out on the boat in two to three feet of water (“crystal clear,” Henley remarks), the adventure is typically four hours, but he says that “it’s your day, so I’ll do what you want to do. We just have a good time.”

Not only are scallops easy to find, but also other sea life.

“You can see flounder, starfish, but nothing dangerous.”

Henley will show you where to find the scallops and what to look for. He’ll even get out of the with you to assist you, if you’d like.

And scallop hunting something children can do as well.

“I’ll work with kids,” he says. “They’ll point out the scallops and I’ll pick them up to put in their bucket.”

“Going scallop hunting can be a perfect family day.”

Once you have caught your quota (two gallons), you have the option of taking them to local restaurants to clean and cook, or handling them yourself.

Dean Fowler, developer of Steinhatchee Landing Resort, recommends having a captain taking you out.

“While you can do it yourself, it’s not that easy. The captains know the best places to go.”

Both men agree that it’s been an outstanding year for the crop.

“It’s thinning out, but they’re still here,” says Henley.

While the season ends in September, you still have time to go scalloping, but don’t wait much longer. If you miss this year, Henley says he’s taking bookings for 2010.

Fowler says it’s one of those fun things that many people do during the summer.

Henley adds many have remarked that scalloping is a “pleasure-pleasing trip.”

“There’s never a day that I don’t get up and say this is going to be fun.”

What You Need to Know

Steinhatchee Landing Resort has provided some basic information on scalloping:

• Scalloping requires a recreational saltwater fishing license.  An annual license for residents is $17, and $17 for a three-day license if visiting.  The local tax collector’s office is the least expensive location to purchase a license, with most marinas and bait-and-tackle shops charging a small service fee. You can purchase a license from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as well.

• State law limits each harvester to two gallons of whole scallops in the shell, or one pint of bay scallop meat, per day.  

• Suggested equipment includes a mask, fins, snorkel, lots of waterproof sunscreen, and a mesh bag for storing the harvest.  A landing or dip net also comes in handy.

• In the waters off Steinhatchee, scallops seem to prefer areas of bottom covered by thin, round-bladed types of sea grass.  Patches of brown algae are also favorite hiding places.  Once you see a few scallops lying on top of the sea grasses, drop the anchor, put up a dive flag and start collecting.

• Store the scallops on ice immediately after harvesting. This opens the shells, making cleaning easier.

• To clean the scallop, hold it with the dark side of the scallop facing up, and use a scallop knife or a spoon to open and remove the top shell.

• Using the scallop knife or spoon, scrape the dark innards from the hinge toward the front of the shell, holding the innards with your thumb. The innards should peel off cleanly, leaving the scallop intact.

And speaking of Steinhatchee Landing Resort, you can’t find a better property to stay on and enjoy scalloping. Be sure to sign up to receive information on their specials.

Before you go, don’t forget to read more about scalloping in Florida. Know and understand all the rules so that you can enjoy yourself.

photo credit: Both photos are courtesy of Steinhatchee Landing Resort. (top right) Scalloping; (middle left) View of Steinhatchee River