BigBendFishing.Net

The little lady and I are going scolloping for the first time next month. Seen any? If you can remember to include scollop sightings in your reports it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I think most folks will reserve their sightings until after the season starts and it can be determined what kind of year there will be. I know I for one have seen some and have heard of 2 more places holding them right now, but I don't want to fight 400 boats for them if these are the only places.

Just like I did 2 years ago. If on opening day I find them in good numbers I'll post the GPS numbers for all to see.

Understood.

I'm more interested in knowing whether the season looks good as compared to the past. The folks here at work (who are taking us) already have their favorite spots, but most of them are offshore fishermen and haven't scoped out their spots yet.

General info would be great!

In all honesty, I havn't seen many this year. I checked a couple spots last time out. Very few seen in my neck of the woods. Don't matter to me. I don't hunt em any more. Got to be just like deer hunting, too many idiots that don't know what thier doing, and twice as many drunks in boats out there. I'd rather buy them, and go out deep to fish and get away from the crazies.

Flats Rascal wrote: I'm more interested in knowing whether the season looks good as compared to the past.

How far in the past.? Better than last year but worse than previous in my opinion.

Here is one problem that no one I know is considering. If any of you have been on the east flats you will notice a brown brillowpad type grass covering almost everything. All my rock piles are covered in it and most of my "spotty bottom" areas around aucilla are covered in it. It sits on top of the sandy holes and turtle grass so if there are tons of scallops out there, chances are you aren't going to see them. But I have seen some. And if there are some, there's probably more. I saw NONE last year so this year is definitely an improvement

Flats Rascal wrote:
General info would be great!

I think I've been about as general as I can be. Like I said, be patient and you'll know when I know.

Perhaps I'll know before you know. Ya' know?

We haven't seen any scallops, but we have fished in deeper water the last 2 trips out. I imagine there are some out there if you take the time to look and can find some clear water.

No scallops, nope, not a one in the big bend, tell everyone to go the stein or keaton

I didnt see any today

Gator, I'm told they've all moved west of the Enconfina this year. Keaton gets enough of the over flow of scalloper type folks from South of the Stienhatchee where the season is still closed.

Word at the Raw Bar last night is that St Joe is looking pretty good. I don't have anything first hand though.
Lanark looks slim. I pulled some trawls there last week & there were very few. The drift algae (Tom's brillo pad stuff) is an issue at Lanark as well but there isn't much of it leeward of Lanark Reef. I will be snorkeling a lot there this coming week so I'll know more.

Zippo on a few looks this past Sunday at St. Marks.

From the Tallahassee Democrat.....

http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/8988225.htm

s-c-a-l-l-o-p-s
s-c-a-l-l-o-p-s
s-c-a-l-l-o-p-s

My spelling lesson for the day.

I did discover there are almost no scallops most places.
I was also real surpised in one other spot.
That's intended as hopeful news.