Steinhatchee Scalloping season starts soon. Check your zone to find out the dates that will apply to you. This Scallop season in Steinhatchee and the Big Bend should be better than years past. The Scallop numbers in Steinhatchee has been great this year. The Scallop report is for very large Scallops and big numbers. Come get your limit on Scallops in Steinhatchee Florida. Scallop Season Scallop season begins on June the 15th and runs through Labor Day Weekend.  Make your reservations now to take advantage of this limited opportunity. Steinhatchee Scalloping rates for four hours are: No License Required    Up to 6 people $450 We offer two trips daily  7:45 AM to 12:45 PM 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Cleaning is not included. Details available upon request. Scenic Tour Included •Comfortable Boat •Private Scalloping Charters Ask us about boat rentals Book Online https://inshoreredfish.com/ Be sure to stay at the Good Times Motel and Marina  or the Sea Hag Marina and the Shacks at Sea Hag. You can take a Scallop charter from the docks or use your own boat. Charter fishing captains are also available with Captain Mark Brady one of the best guides in Florida. With just a mask, snorkel and fins you, too, can jump in and experience the adventure of diving for scallops in Steinhatchee. You will float along the surface quietly, patiently, over a sand bar in the Gulf of Mexico, off Florida’s beautiful Nature Coast, and take in the wonderful world of various fishes, plants and coral. Then suddenly you will see one. A scallop! Now another one and another one!! Take a deep breath, dive down and grab it before someone else does! Be sure to look close around and you just might see more. Remember, scallop beds are located mostly in shallow water and may only be harvested by hand or net. Scallops in Steinhatchee Florida are hard to spot because their natural coloring allows them to camouflage themselves on the bottom among the tall grasses. Most of the time their shells are open to feed and breath, but as soon as they sense an intruder they slam their shells shut and hide. When threatened, the scallop can swim backwards or up by clapping its shell halves together and rapidly expelling water. Let me tell you they can move fast. The bay scallop is a member of the shellfish family. Spawning occurs at 1 year of age and in the fall, when the weather is cool. Unfortunately, only 1 egg out of 12 million will survive to live a full life, and in Florida they usually only live 1 year. In the past, Florida’s coasts were brimming with scallops, but recently they have vanished in many areas. Scientists believe this shortfall could be due to poor water quality since scallops are highly sensitive to changes in water. One could say scallops play an important part within the ecosystem, and observing scallops is a good way to evaluate the quality of the marine environment. In 1998, the Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) teamed up with the University of South Florida in an effort to enhance the population of the scallops in certain areas, as well as eventually launching restrictions to allow only recreational harvesting. This seems to have worked. From 2000 through 2001, the scallop population has increased significantly, after harvesting was banned for several years. In 2002, scallop harvesting was reopened in Steinhatchee, Homosassa and Crystal River. Steinhatchee and the Nature Coast has become one of the most popular scallop harvesting destinations in Florida. What can one say about one of the most exciting Scallop seasons in Florida. Starting June 16th you can get together with your family and friends for a fun filled day on the water scalloping in Steinhatchee. Scalloping is like Easter egg hunting in the water, while you are snorkeling around gathering scallops you will be looking at other wildlife that the gulf has to offer. To legally Scallop in Florida each person is required to have a fishing license. However by going with a Licensed and Insured Captain, the captain provides all licenses, so you do won't need one. Enjoy the ride in style with our Scallop charter Captains. They will take you to where the scallops are. While going to the Scallop grounds you will get to enjoy the abundance of wildlife and Natural beauty the Nature Coast in Steinhatchee has to offer. Our Scallop trips get filled fast so call early. For Scalloping in Steinhatchee call: Scallop Charter Captain Mark Brady or email Charters for Cedar Key - Steinhatchee - Big Bend - Plantation on Crystal River Captain Mark 1-352-210-6972 Captain Bobbi 1-352-318-8429 Book your Steinhatchee Scalloping trip ASAP.

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Florida Scallop Regulations