Scalloping from a Kayak, 7-1-08

[FSUDiver]

Started out the day late, unsure of how the weather would hold out, but decided to give it a try. Headed down to the St Marks Lighthouse and launched the Yak, conditions for a long paddle couldn't have been better, smooth as glass. I started my journey east at about 1:00p, with plans of stopping along the way just to see just how many scallops I could find within swimming distance of the lighthouse. About 500yds out I took the first plunge over some seagrass in about 3ft of water (it was high tide at this point in time), first thing I spotted was a huge scallop! I thought I had stumbled on a honey hole but all I found were 5-6 more smaller ones over 15 minutes. Not bad I thought, considering how west I was of the usual grounds. Continuing on I stopped at a few of my "spots" marked here and there on my gps, jigging a gulp for a half hour just to break up the long trip ahead of me. I continued paddling east, and after a few more times snorkeling along the way yielding few scallops, I decided to just head straight to the parade of boats. After about 2 hrs total paddle time, 4 miles later, I arrived in the thick of it. Dropped anchor, flag in tow, I started spotting scallops right away. As others have mentioned, they seem to be smaller than they were last year, but you won't be disappointed with the numbers-theres plenty to be had! I took a quick lunch break after my first gallon, relocated, then limited out with a few larger scallops at the new location. I was out of the water by 5:00p, just in time as the waves started to pick up a bit-time to head in and do a little fishing next to the lighthouse. The paddle back seemed longer as I had the wind in my face this time, and boy I was feeling the burn! The trip wouldn't be complete without a check from the FWC on the way in-they gave me the ok and we chatted a bit-the nicest officers I have met thus far. By the time I reached the lighthouse I was too beat to fish-packed up the yak but not before snapping a few pics at the launch point. Awesome day out on the water!

[lizbeth]

Good pictures...ah...to be that young again.

[BrogensDuck]

Sweet pictures. Thanks for the report. My shoulders and back hurt just reading it.

[RHTFISH]

GREAT pics ...thanks for sharing! Somewhere I have a pic given to me showing the building that used to be at the end of that boardwalk. I'll see if I can find it.

[Flint River Pirate]

Great pics bud, thanks!

[CatchYourLimit]

Nice work!

[Billy Miller]

Nice report, glad you got some.

[culrich]

Good Deal... I plan on going this weekend.

[Eerman]

Great pics

[Talltails]

Cool

[CrispyFishin]

Where did you stash that dive flag while on the yak?

[FSUDiver]

thanks all…this is a really friendly forum

Sweet pictures. Thanks for the report. My shoulders and back hurt just reading it.

you're telling me, lol. I just went back out this morning...lets just say I stayed within a mile of the launch this time. Caught a nice trout though

GREAT pics ...thanks for sharing! Somewhere I have a pic given to me showing the building that used to be at the end of that boardwalk. I'll see if I can find it.

I’d love to see it!

Where did you stash that dive flag while on the yak?

Its one of those that you can blow-up once you get out there, just deflated it and stashed it in the hatch on the way in.

[CrispyFishin]

Sweet!

[cygraphics]

Great report and photos! Looking forward to trying it from my yak as well.

[Charles]

Great report.

There's scallops all over, they're just more concentrated east of the lighthouse where everybody goes. I seem to be finding as many as I want to shuck without getting involved in the circus.

And they do seem to average small this year, but it's still early in the season.

Keep checking around. Last year the concentration of scallops were east of the lighthouse, but scallops from areas further west, while fewer in number, had bigger muscles in them.