Aw shucks, it’s scallop season: Where to hunt for tasty shellfish in Tampa Bay

Get some butter melting: Scallop season is here.

Scalloping is like an Easter egg hunt in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Equipped with snorkeling gear, you float above the seagrass beds, scanning for the tell-tale signs of scallops — typically their shell edges or blue eyes peering out from their hiding spots.

Once you spot a scallop, you dive down, pick it up by its hinged edge and place it in your mesh bag. The state limit is two gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or one pint of bay scallop meat.

The state sets the fish seasons by region. The season began June 15 further north in the Suwannee River area that includes the fishing village of Steinhatchee.

In the waters off the Suncoast — Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties, which includes the towns of Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa — scallop season is July 1 to Sept. 24.

Pasco County this year has its longest scallop season ever, a 40-day season that runs July 10 to Aug. 18. This region includes all state waters south of the Hernando-Pasco County line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County, and all waters of the Anclote River.

Crystal River and Homosassa offer some of the best conditions for scalloping in Florida. The water is clear there, making it easier to spot scallops among the lush seagrass beds.

Tampa Bay once had a thriving bay scallop fishery, before decades of habitat destruction and unregulated pollution nearly wiped out the population.

In 1994, with scallop stocks declining, state officials shut down the commercial season everywhere and shut down the recreational season south of the Suwannee River. That included Crystal River and Homosassa.

Thanks to strict water quality regulations and the efforts of nonprofit groups such as Tampa Bay Watch, and “seeding” programs by the University of South Florida and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, scallops have made a dramatic comeback. In 2001, state officials reopened the area between the Suwannee and the Pasco-Hernando county line because stocks had recovered. Only recently has scalloping returned to the areas south of the Pasco-Hernando county line.

Scalloping has brought about a cottage industry of boat tours and also shuckers who will be waiting onshore to make it easy bring home some scallops in a cooler.

Here are some vendors that offer scalloping packages:

Anclote Charters in Tarpon Springs offers a scallop season charter in Pasco County for $525 that includes snorkel gear. anclotecharters.com/charters. 727-741-3394.

Clearwater Fishing Company offers a Pasco scalloping package charging $750 for a half-day trip that includes masks, snorkels, fins and mesh bags. Call or text 727-831-0111 or 727-240-5137.

Captain Kurt in Holiday offers scalloping charters in Pasco County off the Anclote River Park Boat ramp at 1119 Baillies Bluff Road, Holiday. A four-hour charter (1-4 people) is $450 each and $50 for additional adults, with a max of six people. scallopingpasco.com. 941-773-0725.

Hernando Beach Charters offers a scalloping trip for $450 for up to six people. hernandobeachcharters.com/charters/.

Angling Adventures in Hernando Beach has a four-hour scalloping charter for $450, with $50 for extra passengers up to six. angling-adventures.net. 352-686-0853.

PaddleTail Waterfront Lodge, a newly renovated hotel, is offering a Stay N Scallop Package, including two-night accommodations, a five-hour scalloping charter, two souvenirs per person, and a 20% discount at the Grassroots Coffee Shop on property. Rates vary. 352-405-9188.

Plantation Resort on Crystal River, a luxurious local favorite, is offering a Scalloping Package that includes two-night accommodations, a welcome souvenir bag and a one-day guided scalloping trip. Rates vary. 800-632-6262.

Sweet Citrus Acres RV Resort, a new RV resort in Crystal River, is offering premium sites for $61.50 and elite sites for $69 per night through Sept. 30. Guests who book at least 30 days can also take advantage of the Bring Your Boat special, which includes a free spot for a boat adjacent to their campsite at no extra charge. 352-565-4284.