Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By ED WALKER
Published July 28, 2005

With Red Tide affecting inshore fishing around the bay area and scorching midday temperatures, many people have been making the trip to Homosassa and Crystal River to catch scallops. The water there has been very clear and the tasty bivalves have been plentiful this season. Most have been catching their limit of two gallons per person of whole, in the shell, in a half day of snorkeling over the grass flats.

Recent reports indicate some areas are beginning to get picked over. On our last excursion we avoided the popular areas to the north of Homosassa and found a spot in less than 4 feet of water that was teeming with scallops. In less than one hour we had secured our five-person limit.

When the sky is clear and the surface calm, scallops can easily be spotted from the deck of the boat. Simply pick a spot with lush turtle grass bottom and idle slowly along while looking into the water through a pair of polarized glasses. Once a few are sighted, raise the dive flag and send in a diver or two to check things out. You should be able to get at least two or three scallops on a breath of air. If not, keep moving and looking for the big score.

Ed Walker charters out of Tarpon Springs. Call 727 944-3474 or e-mail info@lighttacklecharters.com

[Last modified July 28, 2005, 01:10:15]