Another Crystal River summer is upon us, and that means that we are right around the corner from another scallop season. Chasing down bay scallops is one of the most popular summer pastimes here in Citrus County.
If you are new to this kind of adventure or would like to improve your game, we have put together a few tips and tricks that will help you impress your fellow scallopers over the course of the summer.
UNDERSTAND THE RULES
The first trick to being a great scallop hunter is knowing exactly what the rules and regulations are when you are out collecting these delicious shellfish. First and foremost, you must obtain a Florida Saltwater Fishing License prior to collecting any scallops, unless you go scalloping with one of our local fishing charter companies.
BRING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT
Most commercial tools are not permitted for recreational scalloping. The preferred container for most scallop hunters is a simple mesh bag, which you can find at a number of different retailers throughout Citrus County. You will also want to have diving equipment that you are comfortable working with in shallow waters.
If you don't have your own equipment, you might consider signing up for a scallop excursion with one of the local charter companies that provide all of the equipment you will need.
KNOW WHERE TO LOOK
If you have the benefit of heading out with a local charter company, you will likely be working with an experienced guide who will take you right to the best scallop locations.
However, if you are working on your own, you should know that scallops prefer to make their homes in grassy areas that range from four to eight feet of water.
PRACTICE YOUR DIVING
Whether you are navigating a boat or diving yourself, you should always be alert to diving flags. These are your best clue to avoid running into other divers in more ways than one. In addition to dive flags, you should also make every effort to practice diving prior to heading out looking for scallops.
Diving gear can take some time to get used to, and you don't want to waste any time on your scalloping adventure figuring out how to best fit your new mask.
STUDY SCALLOP SHUCKING
If you are going scalloping on your own, you are going to have to shuck them yourself. This is not difficult once you learn how, but learning can be a difficult task if you don't have the right teacher.
Spend a few minutes before your trip refreshing yourself on the basics so that you don't end up with a big bag of scallops and no clue how to shuck them.
Once again, if you are heading out on a charter tour, your guide will likely take care of the shucking for you. But it never hurts to have a little background information before you hit the water!
No matter how much scalloping you plan to do this summer, having a solid base of knowledge before you start will make the entire experience more enjoyable.
Once you have the basics down, the only thing left is to learn how to make a good seasoning and locate a great cast iron skillet to cook the day’s haul!