Scallop Season Florida | 6 Hour Charter Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour scalloping charter in pristine Pasco County watersSeason runs July 10th through August 18th annuallySanitized gear provided plus optional scallop cleaning service
Looking for something different on the water? Our 6-hour scalloping charter in Pasco County gives you a break from the typical fishing routine while still putting you on some serious action. From July 10th through August 18th, these crystal-clear flats come alive with bay scallops, and trust me – there's nothing quite like the rush of spotting your first cluster on the bottom. We keep our groups small at just 4 guests, so you'll have plenty of room to work and won't be fighting for the best spots. Plus, we've got all the snorkel gear sanitized and ready to go, so you can focus on filling your bag with these tasty little guys.
This isn't your typical cast-and-wait kind of day. Scalloping gets you right in the action – you're diving down, scanning the grass beds, and hand-picking each scallop you find. The waters around Pasco County offer some of the clearest visibility on Florida's west coast, especially during scallop season when the summer weather keeps things calm. We'll start early to beat the afternoon crowds and position ourselves over the most productive grass flats. You'll be working depths anywhere from 3 to 8 feet, perfect for snorkeling without needing any advanced diving skills. The boat stays nearby while you work the bottom, and I'm always keeping an eye on conditions to make sure everyone stays safe and comfortable. Most folks are surprised how addictive it gets once you start finding them – one minute you're looking for your first scallop, the next you're competitive about who's got the biggest haul.
We provide top-rated snorkel gear that's been properly sanitized between trips – mask, snorkel, and fins are all included. The key to successful scalloping is learning to spot them in the grass beds, and I'll walk you through the technique before we hit the water. Scallops love to nestle down in the turtle grass and manatee grass, usually with just their shells partially visible. You're looking for that distinctive fan shape and the telltale row of blue eyes along the shell edge. Once you spot one, there are usually more nearby – they tend to cluster in areas with good water flow and plenty of food. I'll show you how to approach them without spooking the whole bed, and more importantly, how to tell a keeper from an undersized scallop. Florida regulations are strict, and we follow them to the letter. The daily bag limit is 2 gallons of whole scallops per person, or 1 pint of scallop meat if you're shucking them on the boat.
Bay scallops are the stars of this show, and for good reason. These little filter feeders spend most of their time buried in the grass beds, pumping water through their shells and feeding on plankton and organic matter. What makes them so fun to hunt is their behavior – they're not completely helpless when threatened. A bay scallop can actually "swim" by rapidly opening and closing its shell, jet-propelling itself away from danger in a series of erratic movements. It's pretty wild to see the first time. They reach maturity at about one year old and typically measure 2-3 inches across when legal to harvest. The meat is incredibly sweet and tender, nothing like the larger sea scallops you might buy at the store. Bay scallops only live about two years, so the population turns over quickly, which is why the season timing is so important. Peak season in Pasco County usually hits in late July and early August when the scallops have reached full size but before the natural die-off begins. The clear waters here make them easier to spot than in many other areas along the coast, and the healthy grass beds support good population numbers year after year.
Scallop season only lasts about five weeks, and the best days fill up fast once word gets out about how good the conditions are. This charter gives you six solid hours to work the flats and build up your haul, plus we offer scallop cleaning service if you want to skip the shucking and get straight to cooking. There's something special about this type of day on the water – it's active, social, and you're guaranteed to go home with dinner. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for a change of pace or new to Florida waters entirely, scalloping offers a unique way to experience our local marine environment. The season runs through August 18th, but don't wait too long to book. The combination of perfect weather, clear water, and hungry scallops won't last forever, and neither will the open spots on our calendar.
Get ready to hunt for scallops aboard our 2021 23' Skeeter bay boat! This speedy vessel cuts through Pasco County's shallow waters at up to 60 knots with its powerful 250HP Yamaha engine. Perfect for scallop season from July 10th-August 18th, the boat comfortably handles up to 4 guests while navigating the crystal-clear flats where these tasty shellfish hide. The wireless trolling motor lets us sneak into prime scalloping spots without spooking marine life, while the fish finder helps locate the best underwater grass beds. Keep your drinks cold in the onboard icebox and enjoy tunes from the multimedia system between dives. GPS navigation ensures we hit all the productive areas during your 6-hour hunt. We provide sanitized masks and snorkels, plus optional cleaning services so you can focus on the fun part – finding those beauties hiding in the grass!
Florida