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I think we can all agree that the water clarity has been effected by nature this year. Anybody willing to make a prediction on any possible effects to the scallop season (which is only a few weeks away)? Other than having to feel your way along the bottom instead of looking for them, have any of you folks been around long enough to have experienced these conditions in the past and any impact? Thanks.

SR, I looked for them last weekend. They just ain't there where I usually find them. Last year at this time they were plentiful. The water is clear where I'm talking about. Got a feeling the scallops are going to follow suit with the trout this year and be hard to find.

we saw some at keaton this past weekend

Anecdotal biology... I guess that’s kind of like fishing. I have found scallops at Lanark this year. They were fingernail sized new recruits. I’m not concerned yet. It is actually 6 weeks away and scallops can “swimâ€

Could be just me. I've fished more, and caught less trout this year than the past couple of years. I also saw scallops at Keaton last weekend. Just not the numbers and sizes I would expect for early June.

Fishing 101 - What effect does the water clarity have on saltwater fishing? Do they tend to bite more in clear water or stained water. And how should the clarity affect choice of baits and retrieves? (Notice the use of 'effect' and 'affect' in the same paragraph? )

BTW, it's an awesome thing for novices like myself to be able to post questions, beginner or advanced, and have them answered so quickly and precisely by such fine fishing experts such as those found on this site. "Thanks" to Tom for all the hard work that goes into this; and ditto to all the ol' pros who never seem to get fed up with us dummies who can't tell the difference between a trout and a blue whale.

IMO, there have been a lot more effects on fishing than water clarity this spring. Water temp, slack, or no tides, extreme tides, and an infusion of fresh water. My observation has been not necessarily less fish, but less keepers. I've had several 50 to 100 fish days this spring. But I've only had one or two days where the majority were keepers. For what it's worth, 10 days ago the water temp out of St. Marks was 85. It's back down to 78 now. We've had more wind and cool weather (relative term) this spring than I can remember in years. I've had to use the advice I usually offer other people. "If you ain't catchin' fish doin' what you're doin'......Do something else." The fish have been slow (not very aggressive), so I've slowed my fishing down. This has worked most days.

Gator, I've gone all around your question, and not answered it. I think water clarity plays a part in the bite. I think you'll catch more fish in clean water. But I don't think that's the only factor. There have been many factors this year. This year I've proven that there is no wrong way to fish. Keep trying until you find something that works. And, keep your string wet.

Said like a pro TC. I guess I should have been more clear in what I said. I also have caught a lot of fish this year just most have been under 15 inches. This includes winter fishing inside the rivers last year. Plenty of shorts and barelys, but not as many large keepers 20"+ type. The past 2 or 3 years in April and May there were many times I'd have a problem getting a limit of trout under 20" instead of hunting fish over 15".

Been swimming around St. Marks during fishing trips the past three weeks looking for scallops. Haven't seen many at all. Just a few out close to the spoil piles by the birdrack. Nothing between John's Bayou and the Rock Garden, where they were plentiful last two years. I have been catching a good number of trout, though. Mostly either 14 or 22 inches. Just starting to see some 16 inchers in the last week and a half. While my own trout fishing has been good, redfish at St. Marks are way off. Haven't caught one in East River in almost a month. Now I'm just waiting for this wind to die down to get out there for Mr. Cobia . . . .