When Shrimping is Slow, Give Scalloping A Go!

Craig Redwine of Titusville hit the bag limits over opening week of Scallop Season in Steinhatchee.

We are in the miserable hot part of the summer, but we have so many things to enjoy, even when the shrimping is slow. For instance, scalloping is going off in Steinhatchee and Crystal River. Limits were reported opening week. Folks were bringing as many people along for the trip to increase the boat limits (10 gallons per boat, or 2 gallons per person).

Popular areas for scalloping are South of Steinhatchee even though I personally love going North. The Pepperfish and Horseshoe areas are a great place to start your hunt. Always buy a hot spot map for scalloping; the marina’s will make it easy for you to find the action by marking the spots on the map. The outgoing low tide is best.

If you want to chase big blue crabs while in Homosassa scalloping, steam up Hall’s river and use a landing net to dip them out of mud.

The rain has caused flooding in the upper St. John’s river putting the skunk on cast net shrimping. In Central Florida, we’re seeing a lot of skunk situations. Shrimping has fallen off at Ormand’s High Bridge, in South Daytona, and Palatka. The North side of the Titusville pier, near Cracker Jacks, has been producing decent numbers. People are reportedly bringing in 25 – 50 shrimp during ideal conditions. In South Brevard, we’re used to seeing jumbo shrimp this time of year, but right now, there only seems to be the small ones running. It seems South Brevard flip-flopped with Oak Hill, where shrimpers typically expect small shrimp, but surprisingly saw a lot of Jumbos for half the season.

The outlook generally doesn’t look good for Central Florida’s summer shrimping season. But, if you head up north a bit, the Jacksonville area should turn on later this summer. Even if it means towing two hours up there, it might just be worth the trip.