St Joseph Bay

Everything You Need to Know About
2022 Scalloping Season in Port St Joe Florida

Each area of this Florida has a different time that is allowed for scallop harvesting. FWC has not released a new map

Cape San Blas is in the far left light green section called St. Joseph Bay and Gulf County: Aug. 16 through Sept. 24, 2023. This region includes all state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County to the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County.

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If you plan to go scalloping, you MUST have a Florida Salt Water Fishing License. These can be purchased at Bluewater Outriggers in Port St Joe, Scallop Cove Bait & Tackle on Cape San Blas, or online through https://gooutdoorsflorida.com/

For more information see www.myFWC.com

The best water depth to find scallops is usually 4 – 8 feet. Look for clear water with sea-grass beds. You will find scallops in the sea-grass or at the edges of the sandy spots. They are usually easiest to see in the areas where the sand bottom meets the edge of the sea-grasses. Scallops may try to swim away when they see you but they do not swim very fast or very far.
One piece of useful equipment is a mesh bag to store your scallops while you are underwater gathering as scallops can sometimes pinch.

When you are done scalloping immediately place the scallops in a live well or if you do not have a live well, on ice in a cooler keeping the scallops separated from the melting ice water runoff. Scallops are quite sensitive.

Grab your snorkel, mask, and fins and head out scalloping!!!

You may find it easier to get to the where scallops live by boat. If you want to rent one of our three pontoon boats, call to reserve yours today.

Here is one way:
As soon as you take the scallops out of the water, put them on ice until you clean them. Take one and hold the scallop in the palm of a hand and using a oyster knife, insert it into the shell and cut the muscle away from one half of the muscle. Then scrape and throw out the guts away from around the muscle, and then put the muscle into a container with ice. Do that process to each until you don’t have any more.  Cook it however you’d like and enjoy!

YES!  

Recreational harvesters need a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops unless they are 1. exempt from needing a license or 2. have a no-cost shoreline fishing license and are wading from shore to collect scallops (i.e. feet do not leave bottom to swim, snorkel, or SCUBA and harvesters do not use a vessel to reach or return from the harvest location).

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Florida Saltwater Fishing Licenses can be be purchased online at https://gooutdoorsflorida.com/ or you can purchase a license at Bluewater Outriggers in Port St Joe or Scallop Cove Bait & Tackle on Cape San Blas. 

Never snorkeled before and want to go scalloping? Here are a few tips:

1. Get a mask, snorkel and, Fins that fit. 

2. Put out a dive flag before getting in the water. Safety first! This lets other around you know there are people in the water.

3. Don’t go alone. Bring someone with you to enjoy the experience.

4. Breathe normal. Practice in shallow water or while holding onto something floating. Keep the top of the snorkel afloat and if water comes in, you can easily blow the water out.

5. Do not bite the tube. Your jaw and mouth will get tired very fast.

6. Float more than swim. Don’t swim too hard or you will breathe hard which makes snorkeling harder. Just glide along at your own pace. Also if you move too fast, you will miss the scallops!

7. Relax. You should be having fun, so relax and enjoy the water!

8. HAVE FUN

Here are some tips to brighten them and remove any smell:

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Smell: Hand rinsed in warm water and leave in 3 parts water, 1 part bleach for 24 hours to totally clean and remove any smell. Thoroughly scrub the shells after soaking.

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Brighten: After they are clean and dry for at least 24 hours, rub each dry shell with baby oil or mineral oil.