Scallop Season

[rcnight]

Anyone planning a scallop trip. Report out today indicates count is down from previous year. I'll be in Steinhatchee weekend of 7/11. Should be lots of fun.

[Ryank]

We are probably scalloping this coming Sunday on the Homosassa. I think were jut going to tow our waverunner up and use it for the day.

[wavelength]

Will be running from Yankeetown to Crystal River the 1st and 2nd. Then on TowBoat call out of Homosassa and maybe Crystal River on Sat and Sun.

[beradtke]

hey rc you guys every run out of horseshoe beach?

[dljohn69]

Went out of Steinhatchee Thursday, limited out in 35-40 minutes.

[McGillicuddy]

mmm, fresh scallops - what a dream. No such thing on the far left coast... Are they in season and local in Oct. during the proposed Durney Key gathering?

Whayt constitutes a limit - like a bushel or something?

Happy fourth scallop-fest...I gotta get back down there.

[Islandtrader]

fresh scallops - what a dream. No such thing on the far left coast

That is true...however you have abalone and dungeness. I would rate those even to or above scallops.

[McGillicuddy]

Tasty vittles indeed. Unfortunately abalone can only be taken in the frigid waters north of San Francisco, and even then, of 4 species only reds may be taken, with hefty fines if you misidentify; and Dungeness only north of Santa Cruz both about 500 miles north.

It's just too much travel and work.
We have tasty spiny lobster. But it's a winter season even in SD we're talking diving @ night in 54 deg. waters. Even with a wetsuit it's uncomfortable at best...

With scallops you get to go snorkeling in 4 or 5 foot deep crystal-clear water over eel & turtle grass w/ bathwater temps., and then fish reds, trout and tarpon when you get done scalloping...

Sorry, Terry, you guys win hands down. Happy 4th!

[dljohn69]

Whayt constitutes a limit - like a bushel or something?

2 gallons in shell scallops or 1 pt cleaned meat per person. Also 10 gallons in shell or 1/2 gallon cleaned meat max per boat. Dungeness crabs sound mighty tasty also!

[BillPutney]

Bay scallop season will open Jan. 26


Louis B. Daniel III, director of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, issued a proclamation on Thursday, Jan. 22, opening the bay scallop season in the Core and Pamlico sounds with some restrictions.

The bay scallop fishery has been closed for several years because DMF officials said the stock was depleted.

Meanwhile, islanders have seen parking lots this winter fill up with scallop shells, dropped by seagulls who want to get them opened. And folks who have been clamming have seen plenty of the off-limits scallops.

The season for bay scallops will open at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, and remain open until 4 p.m. on April 1.

The area opened includes all of the Pamlico Sound.

Scallops may be taken from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. by hand, with hand rakes, hand tongs, dip nets, and scoops. Scallops cannot be harvested with dredges.

Commercial harvest will be allowed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week. Recreational harvest will be allowed Saturday and Sunday only.

Commercial fishermen are allowed five bushels per person per day. According to the proclamation, no combined fishing operation, regardless of the number of persons or boats that are involved, can possess more than 10 bushels per day.

Recreational fishermen are allowed 1/2 bushel per day – not to exceed one bushel if two or more persons are on a boat.
There is no size limit on the scallops.


Also, the recreational harvest limit cannot be combined with the commercial harvest limit.

I was fortunate enough to get a gallon of shucked scallops in Feb. from a co-worker who had harvested them the day before.I put them in pint containers and I have one left in the freezer,We used them in a variety of dishes and are looking forward to next years catch. HOPEFULLY??