Bay scallops—like oysters, clams and mussels—are bivalve mollusks and live in shallow waters along certain areas off Florida’s Gulf Coast. Bay scallops are smaller than sea scallops and have less meat. They’re typically found in depths between four and eight feet on the sandy ocean floor or on blades of seagrass. They have 20 pairs of tiny, bright blue eyes along their shell edges that detect movement and light.

Scallops can “swim” backward by rapidly opening and closing their shells in order to escape predators. But once you’re within an area with a good scallop population, they’re not hard to find or catch. Collect as many as you can—as long as you stay under the daily limit of two gallons (with shell) or one pint of meat per person; 10 gallons with shell or a half-gallon of meat per boat.

Going with a local guide or charter company is your best bet for finding scallops because they will know the best spots to anchor and will take care of everything for you, from snorkeling gear to a charter fishing license that covers everyone in your group. With this option, little else is needed beyond some reef-safe sunscreen, some water to drink and maybe a few snacks.

If you go it alone, make sure everyone on your boat has a saltwater fishing license (unless age-exempt), snorkeling equipment, a diver-down flag, mesh bags to collect scallops and coolers for storing them.

Florida’s Sports Coast will once again play a crucial role as a distribution center for Scallop Sorters during the 2024 Scalloping Season in Pasco County. This easy-to-use waterproof tool, developed by Seat Grant Florida and the University of Florida IFAS Extension, enables scallopers to effortlessly identify smaller scallops that have not yet spawned, allowing them to be returned to the water where they can mature and contribute to future populations. Florida’s Sports Coast is proud to contribute to the sustainability and longevity of scallop beds through these efforts and to helping preserve this cherished summer activity for generations to come.

“We couldn’t be more excited to kick off our 2024 Bay Scallop Season”

Executive Director, Adam Thomas.