Scallops anyone

[RidgeRunner]

Pepperfish is between Horseshoe and Stienahatchee. FL.

Larger muscle than last year. More plentiful too. First time in the water the three of us had 10 to 20 each. Had 3 gallons in no time. Garlic and butter with a little seasoning. Sweet as can be.
Looks like the scallops could be found just north of Horseshoe channel also as evidenced by the 50 boats there. Water clarity was good. The Suwannee isn't flowing so the water is clear closer to the mouth this year.

Suwannee offshore 18 miles Saturday,(36 ft. deep)Fishing solo, managed to catch and release two short gags. Tablefare of 3 black seabass, 1 nice speck, 2 sandtrout, and a bakers dozen on the gray snapper.LOL.(aka Pink Mouth Grunt) All on a Gulp Bait.
Better fishing was had by neighbors that ventured farther offshore. The Red Snapper bite was strong. Hadn't planned to go offshore, got to the flats and the water was perfect so I could not resist. Now if I just had some numbers...

[awthacker]

We're gonna book a weekend at MacRae's in Homosassa July 15-17. My wife, mother-in-law, and 4 yr old wanna scallop and I wanna fish and dive. Does anyone know of this place? It looks like somewhere my wife and ma-in-law can have a good time. Please recommend if you think I should reconsider where we stay.

[RidgeRunner]

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.

[awthacker]

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.

[RidgeRunner]

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.

[phatdaddy]

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.

[awthacker]

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?)?