Homosassa Scalloping

[Group W Bench]

We just got back from Homosassa for a few days of scalloping. The scallops were big and plentiful this year. They were also 4-5 ft of water making it much easier on the kids to dive down and snatch them. We took a 14 ft Shipoke Microskiff done up like the General Lee and a buddy brought a Sylvan pontoon boat.

Bo and Luke Duke are loaded up in the General Lee on mission to protect Homosassa scallops from the villanous Boss Hog.


Gabe is leading the General Lee down the Homosassa River. Fret not, he was only steering in the idle zone by Chassahowitzka Preserve.


Having the General to scout for scallops and the pontoon boat where everyone could relax was downright comfy.


Scalloping is hard work.


General Lee at rest.


Scott, I'm holding you coming down next year. Our friends from Raleigh/Beaufort are coming with their brood for a few days, but we can stagger the days so you aren't surrounded by 8 kids under the age of 8.

[wingtime]

Great pics!  Thanks for sharing!  I heard Fernando didn't fare as well with the scallops this weekend!

[RickK]

Thanks for sharing Eugene - looks like the kids had fun too.

[gran398]

Awesome pics...thanks Eugene

Those boys are the deal

[Group W Bench]

Did Fernando go out of Homosassa? We went away from the bulk of the crowd and found a few decent spots in 4-5 feet N of the spoil islands that sit on the N side of the channel. The main reason we went there is to find shallower water for the kids. 8-9 feet where you see most of the boats on the N side is just too deep for the kids to dive easily.

We have a tow rope w/ a bouy for scouting. Stacy runs the boat at around 3mph while dragging me on the tow rope until we can spot a few scallops in quick succession. Then we anchor and call in the pontoon boat to drop anchor and raft up. It's best to always stop by the Mcrae's ramp and ask the guys shucking where folks with the big hauls have had luck. They want to share information, as they make more money when you get more scallops.

I don't want to see another scallop until next year. We were cooking the buggers up with scrambled eggs in the morning to use them up.

Great pics!  Thanks for sharing!  I heard Fernando didn't fare as well with the scallops this weekend!

[seabob4]

Eugene, excellent haul!  And how could you not eat those little jewels 365 days a year?!

Fern has been going out of Bayport (his boat is at my house, we live about 15 minutes from the ramp).  He went late Saturday, had a family of 5 with him (toddler in diapers), the storms were coming (I knew they would be), just wasn't a good day/time to go out.  He's been getting his limit otherwise...

[Blue Agave]

Eugene, excellent haul!  And how could you not eat those little jewels 365 days a year?!

Fern has been going out of Bayport (his boat is at my house, we live about 15 minutes from the ramp).  He went late Saturday, had a family of 5 with him (toddler in diapers), the storms were coming (I knew they would be), just wasn't a good day/time to go out.  He's been getting his limit otherwise...

I'm with Bob, I could eat scallops everyday and twice on Sunday!  The scallops are large and plentiful this year.  I have made four trips this year and finding the scallops has not been a problem.  Although this past Saturday we did not put in until 2 in the afternoon and we got ran off twice by rain storms.  With the two infants on board we decided to call it a day when we saw the second storm coming.  Eugene, glad to see your boys enjoying scalloping. They are about the age my father started taking me and my siblings.

[gran398]

Thanks for the fine invitation Eugene

Never tried it, looks like a blast

[Group W Bench]

I just gorged myself on seafood last week and can't eat any more shellfish for a while. On Thursday, we bought 8 big softshell crab from a crabber in the channel and fried those up w/ scallops and trout in Panko crumbs. There are some things out of the sea that don't taste good breaded and fried in Duke's peanut oil. I just haven't run across them yet.

I want to get up to Bayport, as I heard that tarpon fishing has been really good up that way this year. Some buddies have been jumping a lot of fish on fly around Pine Island and South Rock recently. Getting pretty late in the season. I need to make it happen or I'll be waiting until next year.

[Blue Agave]

Fried softshell crabs YUM!  Fried trout YUM!  But fried scallops, no thank you.  I like my scallops sauteed with onions, galic, butter and parm cheese served over a plate of rice.  The scallops just melt in your mouth.

[Group W Bench]

Don't worry Fernando, we sauteed plenty of those little guys up too on Fri and Sat. I couldn't eat any more by Sun.

[gran398]

Next time you boys have that "problem"...you both have my address

[akbridge]

Looks like you guys had a great time.  Did you see any jellies?  We are heading out this weekend from Chassahowitzka.

[Group W Bench]

We only saw one jellyfish in 4 days. Have a good time.

[Aswaff400]

ill post my pics later or tomorrow, we had a great time. got our limit within 2-1/2 hours yesterday, and got our limit in 4 hours on saturday... we launched out of horseshoe beach.

pretty happy with the fuel burn in the f250, averaged 12.9-14mpg towing the boat