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HELP! My in-laws are coming to stay for a month this summer. While my father-in-law loves fishing and I'll be able to get him out for that...the mother-in-law is not gonna be so happy with that. I was thinking that I could combo up and we could fish while they scallop or shell. Are there any good spots to do both? I have never been scalloping and would really appreciate any tips on this fine art and any good spots to go snorkel or pick up shells would also be great. Not looking for any specific scallop spots (guessing these are as gaurded as fishing spots) but just a general direction? Thank you all! (That should get me started)

We scalloped for the first time at keaton beach last year and limits were extremely easy to come by. It took a little bit (30 minutes) to get the hang of spotting the scallops, but once we did, we had a lot of fun. It was me, my wife, and our two kids (9&10). The kids found as many as we did. Basically, just ask at the marina whether to go north or south -- then head in that direction until you see the boats. As far as fishing while they scallop, not sure if you are using two boats or not, but they will need a boat to return to. Don't forget your dive flag.

Someone posted not long ago that scallops tend to go in cycles and that the last two years at Keaton have been well above average. Predictions seem to be that the best scalloping will be further west (i.e., port st. joe). Not sure if that is an "old wives tale" or if there is some truth to that.

Also remember to put sunscreen on your back as you will basically be floating on top of the water face down (snorkeling) while scalloping.

I almost forgot -- the afterscalloping party of cleaning them is almost a sport in itself complete with its own festivities.

Good luck.

I would avoid fishing in the same specific area as scalloping. Two schools of thought...1 you may attract unwanted guests by having baits in the water. 2. increases the risk of someone becoming attached to fishing equipment in a manner that would be less than pleasant. One additional suggestion, DO NOT stop and clean the scallops in the same area as you or others are scalloping (see #1 above)

http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpBB3/vi ... =1&t=22216

Alot of people aren't sure if this year will be as productive as the last few.

While out on the water look for a scene that resembles a mall parking lot at Christmas. (Lots of boats anchored with dive flags)
St Marks Lighthouse is a popular destination.

The trout and scallops all live in the same areas, but I wouldn't reccomend trying to fish in the middle of a big crowd of scallopers. If I were you, I go for the trade off, you sit and be bored while they're scalloping, and they can sit and be bored while you guys fish. The best scallopping is within the first week or two of the season. After that, it gets too crowded for my me.

Inlaws for a month?????????

Fish early then get in the water. Keaton is good. A good shell and play area is the nine mile bank out of Keaton.

Fish REAL early. Then you can go back and take a nap, and take them scalloping.

Reel Cowboy wrote:Fish REAL early. Then you can go back and take a nap, and take them scalloping.

Good advice.

rocket wrote:Inlaws for a month?????????

-Yeah....for a month...sigh.
Thanks for all the info guys. Where is the nine mile bank in Keton? I ran it past them last night and I think the wife and mother would like to go shelling. Are they on a beach/ sand bar or do you just snorkle around for them? Thanks again. BTW...if our two liquor stores in THomasville are sold out of Makers Mark for the month of July...sorry.

They are laying in the grass beds 2-7 feet deep. If your mother in law is like mine you probably won't get her in the water! The last two years have been great for scalloping and though I am no expert, I hear these things go in cycles and may not be that great this year. There were very few from what I heard in Port St Jo bay last year so they may be better there this year. I think the salinity of the water has something to do with it. If we keep getting a lot of rain/ water flow from the rivers, that may hurt as well.

I am still scratching my head about A WHOLE MONTH? Wow! Of course, if you went scalloping every day for a month, that has got to increase the chances of a shark bite>

Nuts

9 Mile is past Piney Point in the general direction of Steinehatchee (sp?). You can't miss it, just head that way and when you run into a boat parking lot walla you're there.

GatorBaiter wrote:BTW...if our two liquor stores in THomasville are sold out of Makers Mark for the month of July...sorry.

Not if I get there first!

GatorBaiter wrote:

rocket wrote:Inlaws for a month?????????

-Yeah....for a month...sigh.
Thanks for all the info guys. Where is the nine mile bank in Keton? I ran it past them last night and I think the wife and mother would like to go shelling. Are they on a beach/ sand bar or do you just snorkle around for them? Thanks again. BTW...if our two liquor stores in THomasville are sold out of Makers Mark for the month of July...sorry.

Go to the Keaton beach marina website and they have gps #'s on there for it. It's not 9 miles offshore, more like 2 or 3. It's big as a football field and shallow. Go on low tide and find shells and sanddollars, it's less than knee deep then.

Last Saturday I launched at Lanark and another family met us there and we went to the North west end of Dog Island - where there is beach without houses. The other family anchored their boat in about 2 feet of water just off the beach and the wife found a large conch shell and a sand dollar while snorkling in the sand and grassy area.

We finshed in the grassy area further east of there swimming area and had a few bites in 3-5 feet of water. May want to buddy up on the snorkling part.

Have fun!!!