Scallop Central..
 

Intimate with the place. I hate to say it but McRae's outgrew our taste. It is a lively place now. I kinda liked it before they built the bar at the waterside. Live band most Fri. and Sat. nights. The accomodations are adequate, nice and clean. Just depends on what you are looking for. The public boat ramp is next to their new bait house, they have fuel and dockage for visitors. When my daughter was born (now 8) we quit staying there, it gets busy on the weekends and the band plays until 11:00. (ie. the drunks clear out at 11:00 and go to the cooler) Nature Resort is next door, a little less noise, accomodations are similar except Nature Resort has a pool, still on the water. Resturaunt is right there on the water with a view of monkey island. Parking is better at Nature Resort.
Last time we went was July 4th 2009. It was a zoo at both places with DIY fireworks going off all around. Never again on the 4th.

Thanks Ridge. MacRae's was booked, as was most everything. I felt lucky to find a private condo for rent on the Steinhatchee river (took about 20 phone calls), so that is where we'll be. It's called Steinhatchee Place, across the street from Roy's. I'm thinking scalloping will be pretty easy to figure out, but would still love any advice any of the regulars have to offer. Also will be doing some fishing/diving in the gulf if anyone has any secrets to share about the Steinhatchee area.

Thanks in advance.

Nice place, up on stilts behind the bar, I have seen it from Roy's while waiting to be seated.
You basically follow the channel out of the river and follow the herd of boats. North or south you should be golden. Looking for turtle grass in 4 to 6 feet of water. You might have to drag up anchor and move a few times to get on them but you have a better chance of limiting out up there than at Homasassa based on the reports I have heard.
The trout bite has been good in 8 to 10 feet. Jigging with 3/8 oz jig with Gulp Bait seems to work. I like white, green, green/orange. Redfish are scarce inshore but when you find them they are big. I don't have any numbers at all for offshore fishing/diving out of there.
About 8 miles south is where we were last weekend. It was the best I have ever seen. Good luck and have a great time.

RR is on the money, in st joe this year same deal, thick, but you might have to move a few times. if you go over and aren't getting 7-10 in one breath, move.

From an etiquette standpoint, anything I need to know? I understand dive flag safety and use extra caution around swimmers and snorkelers. How much distance should be kept between scalloping boats (i.e.: how close is too close?)?

usually not too close out of courtesy & the area has probably been picked. when i approach a crowed area, i try to get on the outer edge, about 40 -60 yards. if area is extremely crowed, move a little closer. be very aware of unflagged snorklers in the water. it is amazing how far some venture from the boat.

Scallop Report from Homasassa. Lots of em, but the muscle was small. I thought late in the season they would be larger. Early season scallops were better IMO. 3 gallons in the shell yielded a pint and a half. The fun is still in the gathering.. Wind was blowing pretty good out of the north east. We found a spot where no boats were around in 6 ft of water. Picked up 4 on one breath once. Numerous 3 at a time and countless 2-somes. Next weekend is the last weekend of Scallops for the year.

We didn't fair so well. I went to the north where the other boats were and we didn't get but a gallon between 2 of us. And they didn't yield much at all as a gallon didn't leave enough for an appetizer after I cleaned em. And the wind did kick up pretty bad as it made for a slow ride in for a pontoon boat.

Pilot fish wouldn't leave me alone, I guess I look like a whale in the water. Also saw a nice spanish mackerel while snorkeling. Several feeding dolphin on the way back and a Bald Eagle. Homasassa is beautiful. Very low tide at around 3:30. Looked like a winter low. Attachment 3496

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we went to st joe sunday, left the house at 11:00. at the launch ramp at 12:30 ( had to stop at the piggly wiggly for some fried chicken). and rolled overthe side at 1:15. we had 8 gallons @ 2:00. ther were only 3 of us so we had to thro back 2 gallons. brought them back to the house and cleaned them on the back pourch, netted out 4 pints. meat did seem a little small for this late in the season.

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