Resources to get you started.
Florida's bay scallop season starts this Tuesday, July 1st and runs through September 10th. Scalloping is a fun, relaxing past time that can be enjoyed by your entire family. It requires a minimal amount of relatively inexpensive gear, most of which can be rented, and the knowledge to find and gather these tasty bivalves can be learned with a few minutes of instruction. Florida has a limited allowable harvest area for gathering bay scallops. It starts at the west bank of the Mexico Beach canal in Bay County of the Panhandle, and and goes to the Pasco-Hernando County line near Aripeka. However, most scalloping in the state is concentrated in two areas. Homosassa/Crystal River, and Steinhatchee. The hundreds of square miles of turtle and manatee grass in these shallow and pristine waters, provide a perfect environment for bay scallops. As a result, thousands of visitors flock to these areas each summer to snorkel and gather these tasty treats. Many return year after year and know where to stay and where to go have a successful trip. If you have never been scalloping, and would like to give it a try, or it has been a while since your last scalloping excursion, I have gathered a list of web sites to help you plan a successful trip. Start by going to the MYFWC web site to learn the rules and regulations for gathering bay scallops then check out the post I put on Florida's F.I.N. last year on things you need to know about scalloping. These will help keep you legal and safe. Then check out the Citrus Co. Scalloping Adventure page, and the Steinhatchee to Perry scalloping page. These will help you find places to stay, eat, find supplies, marinas, and guided excursions. Then I threw in a few recipes you can use to get ideas on how to cook all of those delicious scallops you are going to gather.
Happy Scalloping!
Rules and Regulations
http://myfwc.com/marine/bayscallops.htm
http://myfwc.com/whatsnew/08/statewide/News_08_X_ScallopOpen.htm
http://flafin.blogspot.com/2007/07/florida-bay-scallops-what-you-need-to.html
Visitor Guides
www.visitcitrus.com/scalloping.asp
www.steinhatcheetoperry.com/watersports/scalloping.php
Recipes
http://steamykitchen.com/blog/2007/06/14/seared-scallops-with-mango-melon-salsa/
http://digg.com/food_drink/Quick_and_memorable_seafood_dish_guaranteed_to_satisfy
http://digg.com/food_drink/Grilled_Scallops_with_Ginger_Lime_Sauce
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