Scalloping season under way in a big way around state

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Pretty much every fan of outdoor sports in North Florida knows that scallop season is underway in the gulf, and that this year's crop of shellfish is an exceptional one. But young Chaeli Norwood of Sea Hag Marina in Steinhatchee can help shellfish seekers zero in on a batch of unusually-large early season bivalves. “The big ones,” she offered, “are north of the river — but not too far north — a mile or two south of The Birdrack. And the very biggest ones are out in water eight-to-10 feet deep.”
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2011 Scallop Season to open early and close late.

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The Panama City News Herald is reporting that this years scallop season will open a week early on June 25th and close two weeks later than usual on September 25th.

FWC also announced that it will expand bay scallop season to open a week early on June 25 and extend the season by two weeks to end on Sept. 25. Small Gulf Coast communities from Steinhatchee to St. Marks to St. Joe Bay will have three extra weeks for visitors and residents to explore and enjoy this low cost, fun family activity.

This is greeat news for everyone who loves to come to Steinhatchee every year to harvest Scallops. Make plans now for that extra trip this year.

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Gainesville Sun Fishing Report 4-14-2011

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The clear Steinhatchee flats have come alive with trout, and most fishers are faring well with various lures and natural baits in water 3 to 6 feet deep. Chartering inshore guides, Fuzzy Finch has enjoyed steady trout action every day of his stay at Sea Hag Marina. The Dawsonville, Ga., angler arrived Saturday. Fellow Georgia fishermen, Jeff Luke and Randy Puckett, have also pulled in loads of Steinhatchee trout over recent days. But Trey Williams docked with the biggest fish and the best Steinhatchee story of the weekend. The Cochran, Ga., angler was casting a Gulp! bait in water about 6 feet deep with light tackle when something more than just another trout latched on. After a tooth-and-nail battle, Williams wrestled aboard a fish about a third as long as his little Sundance boat. The kingfish would later weigh 25 pounds at the marina.
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Tallahassee.com Fishing Update 3-25-2011

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Captain Tommy Thompson (tommythompson@mindspring.com) in Steinhatchee told of good sheepshead and Spanish mackerel action at Steinhatchee. The sheepshead have been on the local reefs, and the Spanish mackerel have been showing up around bait schools near some of the big offshore sand bars. Trout have been plentiful, too. He said fishing for them and redfish should get better as this warm spell continues. Lots of mullet have been inshore, bringing in lots of trout and reds.

Capt. Joey Landreneau of Pure Flats Charters in Steinhatchee (land1503@att.net; 352-226-3226 cell, 850-578-2095 beach) said the Big Bend inshore species have been right on queue with the official start of the spring season. Great reports have come in from earlier this week emphasizing that the top water bite has been very productive during the strong incoming tide. Anglers targeting gator trout and upper-slot redfish have been very successful using plugs such as Zara Spook and Skitter Walk, and Shadee Shad soft plastics in water depths of 2 to 3 feet. The shallow water temperature is inching higher into the upper 60s and low 70s, which should keep the inshore species on their annual springfest. Unfortunately, the last quarter moon tidal phase scheduled for this week-end may slow the bite with the lack luster water movement over the Big Bend flats.