2019 Bay Scallop Season Starts July 19: What You Need To Know

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL -- For those craving freshly harvested pan-seared scallops or, perhaps, scallops sauteed in butter wine sauce, the wait is almost over.

Tampa Bay residents will be able to harvest the bay scallops in all state waters south of the Hernando – Pasco county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County for 10 days from July 19 to 28.

This follows a successful 2018 trial season. Prior to 2018, scalloping had not been available in Pasco County since 1994.

“We’re thrilled to see recreational scalloping return to Pasco waters,” said tourism director Adam Thomas. “As an adventurous outdoor activity, scallop season brings unmatched memories to countless families and friends.”

Florida's scallop harvesting season is short and restricted to certain area. But scallop lovers say it's well worth the dive.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has set the dates for the 2019 scallop harvesting season, which is limited to just eight Florida counties along the Gulf coast within state waters.

For Gulf County in the Panhandle, the season runs from Aug. 16 to Sept. 15.

In Franklin County northwest of Taylor County and Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties, the season began July 1 and runs to Sept. 24.

Scalloping is permitted in Dixie County and the remainder of Taylor County through Sept. 10.

And Pasco County's season runs from July 19 to 28. This includes all waters of the Anclote River.

This year's daily bag limit is 2 gallons in the shell or 1 pint of meat per person. A maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or half a gallon of bay scallop meet is permitted per vessel.

What To Bring

The best part of scalloping is it doesn't take a lot of equipment or even a boat to harvest bay scallops.

Recreational harvesters need a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops unless they are exempt, have a no-cost shoreline fishing license and are wading from the shore to collect scallops (i.e. feet do not leave bottom to swim and snorkel or SCUBA harvesters do not use a vessel to reach or return from the harvest location).

A license is needed for those who plan to snorkel or SCUBA dive from boats, however.

To harvest from shore, all you need is a landing or dip net, a mesh dive bag to place them in and a bucket to store your scallops once you return to the boat or shore.

Full SCUBA gear isn't necessary to harvest bay scallops off shore although some divers prefer to use the gear. All that's needed is a dip net, a dive bag a snorkeling mask and some fins. Take note, whether snorkeling or diving, you are required to display a dive flag so boaters can spot you.

How To Find Scallops

Unlike sea scallops, bay scallops are smaller but just as sweet and tender. They live in shallow waters along the Gulf coast and are usually found nestled in sea grass beds. Look carefully along the edges of white sandy patches where they are fairly easy to spot.

They're easily distinguished from other mollusks by their electric blue eyes along the inside edge of the shell opening.

But don't expect bay scallops to just sit still and wait for their fate. They are capable of swimming by opening and closing their shells rapidly to generate thrust, which makes catching them more challenging.

Have your dip net ready for when you spot one and be sure to pull the drawstring of your diver's bag to prevent the scallops from escaping.

Cleaning Scallops

Once you get them back to the boat or shore, place them on ice in the bucket. Some scallopers prefer to clean their catch immediately. Others wait until they're home. Either way, the process is similar to shucking oysters.

Hold the scallop in the palm of one hand; insert your cleaning tool into the shell, and cut the muscle (scallop meat) away from one half. Then carefully scrape the guts away from around the muscle. Discard the guts and use your tool to cut the muscle into a container.

As for cleaning tools, scallopers use everything from oyster knives to stainless steel spoons.

If you clean your scallops immediately, the FWC asks that you do not discard scallop shells in inshore waters commonly used for recreational activities. Piles of discarded scallop shells can create hazards for swimmers and damage sea grass habitat. Scallop shells can be discarded in a trash receptacle or in larger bodies of water where they are more likely to disperse.

From there, it's simply a matter of choosing a recipe to prepare your scallops.

This video below offers one favorite recipe from Busch Gardens chefs Norman Van Aken and Chef Ron DeBonis.