Located 90 miles from Tallahassee and 55 miles from the nearest interstate, Steinhatchee is a beautiful fishing community that will remind you of an era long gone. This Old Florida town off the beaten track is often called “The best kept secret in Florida.” Oozing with charm, it features picturesque Victorian houses, “Croaker” style homes, egrets, miles of country roads, and one of the sea’s sweetest delicacies. Come travel back in time and try scalloping in Steinhatchee!
What to Expect
Situated on the Big Bend region, this is one of the best places to come scalloping when the season opens. The exact dates change each year, but you can expect the season to run sometime from early July to late September.
The first and last weeks of the season are incredibly busy. It’s best to book a knowledgeable captain who’ll take you to the best spots safely. Scalloping trips are usually around four hours long, or until you reach the bag limit. The waters can get very busy, so keep an eye on your surroundings and the diving flags around you.
When scalloping in Steinhatchee, you’ll be diving into seagrass-populated waters just 4–8 feet deep. The grass flats here are home to good-sized Scallops that are particularly juicy and can even be taken via wading (although snorkeling is the preferred method.) Scallops have green-brown tops, helping them blend in with the grass. It’s a good idea to bring along polarized sunglasses to help you find them! Alternatively, keep an eye out for upside-down Scallops, with their white bellies facing up.
It’s up to you whether you pick the Scallops up by hand or with a net. Don’t be deceived, these little guys can make a hasty retreat when threatened. Always remember to tie up your mesh dive bags, or you’ll lose a few Scallops on the way.
How to Prepare
When you go fishing with a local charter captain, you can usually expect all the necessary gear to be included in the price of your trip. This includes snorkeling masks, fins, and mesh dive bags.
You’ll only need to bring your own snacks, drinks, swimwear, a towel, and water-resistant sunscreen.
Steinhatchee is one of the best places to go scalloping in Florida, so hotels and fishing charters start to get booked up as early as January. Be sure to make arrangements ahead of time, especially if you plan on scalloping during the first or last week of the season.
Need to Know
Like the rest of Florida, Steinhatchee has a limit of 2 gallons of Scallops (in their shells) per person, with a maximum limit of 10 gallons per boat. You can bring to shore 1 pint of shucked Scallops.
Everyone over 16 and under 65 needs to have a FL fishing license. Local chartered boats provide this for customers, included in the trip price.
A Steinhatchee scalloping trip should be in the cards for you and your family this summer. Be warned, scalloping is addictive, and the kids will want to come back year after year!
