[Fiishergurl]

We've never been scalloping before but we are going in July for about a week. If we happen to find a good area with scallops are there likely to be some in that same area for a while or do they move around each day with the tides?

Thanks
Ginny

 

[smooth move]

We've never been scalloping before but we are going in July for about a week. If we happen to find a good area with scallops are there likely to be some in that same area for a while or do they move around each day with the tides?

Thanks
Ginny

we'll also be there in July. from what i've learned about scallops, they pretty much stay in one area. never heard of a migration. this is a first for us and the kids are really gettin revved up. we live on West Galveston Bay and they're pretty good fisher persons, but this scallop thing is thru the roof for them. good luck!

 

[weedline]

from my experience which is limited they dont move but they will show themselves way better on an outgoing tide on an incoming they tend to be down in the grass with their dark side up making them hard to see with an outgoing they seem to be up in the grass almost smileing at u

 

[billin]

Psj

The best way is too charter one of the local guides if you have been before

 

[NoMoSurf]

I'm looking for you then!! We have been going to St Joe/Mexico Beach for 10+ years. Been looking for scallops the past 4 years and on the second year, we found 1...

Everybody says to find a grassy spot near Blacks Island... No bueno...

Just got back from my 10 day trip... 2 days early. The water was WAY too rough. We went down for the offshore fishing, but we got stuck with 2 days in the bay. The rest of the time the boat stayed on the trailer.
1 bay day was fishing. The other we spent looking for scallops...

We found 5...

 

[smooth move]

we got here sat afternoon and haven't done anything except sit on the beach. weather looks good for tomorrow though with a 6-7 mph wind. we're planning to fish the destin pass area and trailer down to pt st joe wed for a try at the scallops. will post up the results. never knew so many people came down here, it's a mad house, hate to even think about driving anywhere. i love this part of florida, but i'm sure this is my last time to destin, hope pt st joe fits my pace a little better. stayed in appalatchacola and cedar key last year and really loved it.

 

[bottomline]

Just got back from my 10 day trip... 2 days early. The water was WAY too rough. We went down for the offshore fishing, but we got stuck with 2 days in the bay. The rest of the time the boat stayed on the trailer.
1 bay day was fishing. The other we spent looking for scallops...

We found 5...

When I was in Afghanistan earlier this year there were three things that kept me going: 1). thinking about seeing my family. 2). a Big Mac and 3). scalloping in St. Joe. Luckily I was able to stay this year for 3 weeks and wait the weather out. My inlaws are down and I'm trying to teach them how to do it. I've found it helps for people who haven't done it or haven't found a bunch to have a guide or someone who has done it swim along beside them and point them out at first. As for the area, all you really have to do is get near a bunch of boats that are anchored up with flags out and I will guarantee you there are scallops there. They move areas slightly from year to year. Last year was really poor and we found them almost exclusively in deep holes. This year they are in the grass and in the holes and are there in much, much better quantities. A good place to start is the pot holes that line the E side of the head of the bay. Get on Google Earth and zoom in to the bay. Look closely at the area between Black's Island and Conch Island and you will see the holes. There are literally thousands of them.

 

[sel1005]

scalloping ends at the Mexico Beach canal on the west end of town, basically where Tyndall AFB starts. There may be scallops west of there, but they are illegal to take or possess once you get past the canal exit into the gulf.

PSJ Bay has tons of places to wade or snorkle to get them, just look for those blue eyes, and wear gloves since there are also lots of sea urchins and spyder crabs too.

 

[Bayfisher]

Friend from school sent me this picture of scallops he caught at crystal river. Can't say im not jealous....

 

[rocklobster]

Nice haul from Crystal River!!!!

Any reports yet on Port St. Joe?

 

[fishheadspin]

we got here sat afternoon and haven't done anything except sit on the beach. weather looks good for tomorrow though with a 6-7 mph wind. we're planning to fish the destin pass area and trailer down to pt st joe wed for a try at the scallops. will post up the results. never knew so many people came down here, it's a mad house, hate to even think about driving anywhere. i love this part of florida, but i'm sure this is my last time to destin, hope pt st joe fits my pace a little better. stayed in appalatchacola and cedar key last year and really loved it.

Your there the busiest 2 weeks of the year. if you avoid first week of april last week of june, first and second week of july,,,,then you will love Destin.

Crowds will start thinning out next week, then drop way off in august.... September is the best month to go....

 

[CRC]

my wife and I went sunday after the rain (got in the water about 11 am)and were very pleased to find very decent water considering the rain fall we got. It was also very uncrowded! We could have limited out, but decided that after we each came up after 45 minutes with good bags we would shuck em to see where we were. Loaded 1 pint tupperware slap full and decided that we had enough for dinner. Swam a little and then came home to PC in the daylight. It was a very fun trip for us, we usually never go just the 2 of us and it was a pleasure to have a stress free trip.

 

[sel1005]

I have been hearing the west side of the bay about halfway up to the State Park, 100 yards or so offshore, has been the most productive so far.

We killed them last year in that area in August, will be going in about 3 weeks so whom ever goes, please toss some of the big ones back to wait for us???? LOL.....

 

[Dagwood]

It may just be the picture but they look small. I've cleaned an ice chest full of those suckers that size and after about 4 hours I had about a double handful of meat.

 

[smooth move]

we went to pt st joe yesterday( my birthday) and had a ball. launched at presnell's and the folks there were great, they guided us to the general area that was producing. a family that had watched us launch hailed us over to them and asked us to join them in their area. from there on we learned how to do it. after we got the hang of it, we got 2 gals quick. a little weather built up onshore so we called it a day. the kids had a great time, we met some great folks and got enough scallop meat to have a meal. next time we come over here i'll stay in the pt st joe area or the appalachacola area. less crowd and very friendly people. thanks florida, had a great birthday with the grand kids.

 

[FishinSpot]

Where is a good place to stay for a small family (husband, wife, 15 yr old). Im just down the road but have never been to Pt St Joe. I'd like to stay near the beach and somewhat close to a launch to try scalloping. What size boats doyou all uae in the bay for scalloping? ive got a 15 foot aluminum and a 28' CC that im guessing is too big to get in the shallows for the scallops.
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[catfever24]

Where is a good place to stay for a small family (husband, wife, 15 yr old). Im just down the road but have never been to Pt St Joe. I'd like to stay near the beach and somewhat close to a launch to try scalloping. What size boats doyou all uae in the bay for scalloping? ive got a 15 foot aluminum and a 28' CC that im guessing is too big to get in the shallows for the scallops.
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

There are rental houses there just like here in Destin or you could stay at the state park. There are a few hotel/ motels along 98 if that doesn`t bother you. We pull the RV over and camp in the state park for 2 weeks. After I drop the RV I go back and get the boat. I`ve got a 23 ft`r and it does fine for scalloping. Hope this helps.

 

[FishinSpot]

Great info.

Thanks Cat

 

[Scoutmaster]

Where is a good place to stay for a small family (husband, wife, 15 yr old). Im just down the road but have never been to Pt St Joe. I'd like to stay near the beach and somewhat close to a launch to try scalloping. What size boats doyou all uae in the bay for scalloping? ive got a 15 foot aluminum and a 28' CC that im guessing is too big to get in the shallows for the scallops.
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Rental house or Barrier Dunes condo (next to state park) on the cape. If you want to be close to St Joe and put in free at the ramp, stay at Port Inn, Mainstay Inn, or Dixie Belle (most - least expensive).

 

[FishinSpot]

Thanks. I'll look them up.