SCALLOPING Presented by Tom Putnam tom@halfhitch.com Half Hitch Hosted by Bob Fowler bob.fowler@marinemax.com (850) 708-1317 marinemax.com treasureislandmarina.net halfhitch.com 1
BAY SCALLOPS Bay Scallops (Argopecten irradians) live in shallow, nearshore waters along Florida s Gulf coast, from Pensacola to the Florida Keys. These bivalves are usually found nestled in seagrass beds and are easily distinguished from other bottomdwelling animals by their electric blue eyes. Bay scallops are capable of swimming by opening and closing their shells rapidly to generate thrust, which can make catching them more challenging. 2
BAY SCALLOP BASICS Bivalve mollusk Historically throughout Florida s west coast to West Palm Beach on east coast. Short-lived: 12-18 months Inhabits shallow bays and estuaries Seagrass dependant 3
SCALLOP REGULATIONS Commercial harvest prohibited in state waters Open Season: July 1 st September 24 th, 2012 Fishing license required Bag limits: 2 gallons per person whole or 1 pint of meat per person per day 10 gallons whole or ½ gallon shucked meat limit per vessel per day Harvest methods: By hand Landing or dip net Must remain in authorized areas while in possession of scallops on the water. 4
WHERE TO SCALLOP Pasco/Hernando line northwest to west bank of Mexico Beach canal (Bay County) 5
EQUIPMENT Swim mask Snorkel Fins/water shoes Small mesh bag Divers-down flag (required by law) 6
CLEANING SCALLOPS Insert knife blade or sharpened spoon between shells and cut away the muscle at its attachment to the top shell 7
CLEANING SCALLOPS Remove the dark innards by gently scraping from hinge to front with knife or spoon 8
CLEANING SCALLOPS Scrape away the scallop muscle from bottom shell* 9
FISHING THE FLATS Presented by Tom Putnam tom@halfhitch.com Owner of Half Hitch Hosted by Bob Fowler bob.fowler@marinemax.com (850) 708-1317 marinemax.com treasureislandmarina.net halfhitch.com 10
SPECKLED TROUT Family: Sciaenidae, DRUMS, Cynoscion nebulosus Description: dark gray or green above, with sky blue tinges shading to silvery and white below; numerous distinct round black spots on back, extending to the dorsal fins and tail; black margin on posterior of tail; no barbels; no scales on the soft dorsal fin; one or two prominent canine teeth usually present at tip of upper jaw. Where found: INSHORE and/or NEARSHORE over grass, sand and sandy bottoms; move into slow-moving or still, deep waters in cold weather. Size: common to 4 pounds on west coast, larger on east coast. Florida Record: 15 lbs., 6 oz. World Record: 17 lbs., 7 oz. 1995 Ft. Pierce, FL Remarks: matures during first or second year and spawns INSHORE from March through November; often in association with seagrass beds; lives mainly in estuaries and moves only short distances; adults feed mainly on shrimp and small fish; prefers water temperatures between 58 and 81 degrees F and may be killed if trapped in shallow water during cold weather; longevity 8 to 10 11
REDFISH Family: Sciaenidae, DRUMS, Sciaenops ocellatus Description: chin without barbels; copper bronze body, lighter shade in clear waters; one to many spots at base of tail (rarely no spots); mouth horizontal and opening downward; scales large. Similar Fish: black drum, Pogonias cromis. Where found: juveniles are an INSHORE fish, migrating out of the estuaries at about 30 inches (4 years) and joining the spawning population OFFSHORE. Size: one of 27 inches weighs about 8 pounds. Florida Record: 51 lbs., 8 oz. World Record: 94 lbs., 2 oz. 1984 Avon, NC Remarks: red drum are an INSHORE species until they attain roughly 30 inches (4 years), then they migrate to join the NEARSHORE population; spawning occurs from August to November in NEARSHORE waters; sudden cold snaps may kill red drum in shallow, INSHORE waters; feeds on crustaceans, fish and mollusks; longevity to 20 years or more. 12
SPANISH MACKEREL Family Scombridae, MACKERELS & TUNAS, Scomberomorous maculatus Description: color of back green, shading to silver on sides, golden yellow irregular spots above and below lateral line; front of dorsal fin black; lateral line curves gently to base of tail. Similar Fish: cero, S. regalis; king mackerel, S. cavalla. Where found: INSHORE, NEARSHORE and OFFSHORE, especially over grass beds and reefs; absent from north Florida waters in winter. Size: average catch less than 2 pounds (20 inches). Florida Record: 12 lbs. World Record: 13 lbs. 1995 Ft. Pierce, FL Remarks: schooling fish that migrates northward in spring, returning to southerly waters when water temperature drops below 70 degrees F; spawns OFFSHORE, spring through summer; feeds on small fish and squid. 13
SHEEPSHEAD Family Sparidae, PORGIES, Archosargus probatocephalus Description: basic silvery color; with 5 or 6 distinct vertical black bands on sides, not always the same on both sides; prominent teeth, including incisors, molars, and rounded grinders; no barbels on lower jaw; strong and sharp spines on dorsal and anal fins. Similar Fish: black drum, Pogonias cromis; Atlantic spadefish, Chaetodipterus (black drum have barbels on lower jaw, sheepshead do not; vertical barring on sides of black drum and spadefish disappear as fish mature; spadefish have small, brush-like teeth). Where found: INSHORE species around oyster bars, seawalls and in tidal creeks; moves NEARSHORE in late winter and early spring for spawning, gathering over debris, artificial reefs and around navigation markers. Size: INSHORE, 1 to 2 pounds; OFFSHORE, common to 8 pounds. Florida Record: 12 lbs., 2 ozs. World Record: Remarks: feeds on mollusks and crustaceans such as fiddler crabs and barnacles; famed nibblers, prompting the saying that "anglers must strike just before they bite." 14
FLOUNDER Family: Bothidae, Left Eye Flounders, Paralichthys Albigutta Description: body color brown, its shade depending on color of bottom, with numerous spots and blotches; 3 prominent eye-like spots forming a triangle; one spot on lateral line, one above, one below; numerous white spots scattered over body and fins (albigutta, white-spotted); strong canine-like teeth; caudal fin in shape of wedge, its tip in the middle. Similar Fish: southern flounder, P. lethostigma (no eye-like spots; color pattern is key to distinguishing the two species). Where found: INSHORE on sandy or mud bottoms, often ranging into tidal creeks; occasionally caught on NEARSHORE rocky reefs. Size: common to 2 pounds, generally smaller than southern flounder. Florida Record: n/a World Record: 20lbs 9 oz. 1983 Larenza Mungin Nassau Sound Remarks: hatches into usual fish form, but right eye migrates over to left side early in life; a bottom dweller; thought to spawn OFFSHORE; feeds on crustaceans and small fishes. 15
TARPON Family: Elopidae, TARPONS, Megalops atlanticus Description: last ray of dorsal fin extended into long filament; one dorsal fin; back dark blue to green or greenish black, shading into bright silver on the sides; may be brownish gold in estuarien waters; huge scales; mouth large and points upward. Similar Fish: (as juveniles) ladyfish, Elops saurus. Where found: primarily INSHORE fish, although adult fish spawn OFFSHORE where the ribbon-like larval stage of the fish can be found. Size: most angler catches 40 to 50 pounds. Florida Record: 243 lbs. World Record: 283 lbs. 4oz. 1991 Sherbro ls., Sierra Leone Remarks: slow grower; matures at 7 to 13 years of age; spawning occurs between May and September; female may lay more than 12 million eggs; can tolerate wide range of salinity; juveniles commonly found in fresh water; can breathe air at surface; feeds mainly on fish and large crustaceans. 16
TARPON First 1 st full moon in June to the last full moon in August Lots of traveling fish & difficult to get to eat Use small baits, light fluorocarbon leader to get bite 17
CHART #11390 18
ROD ACTION Light tip rods are more sensitive but lack backbone for pulling fish off their wreck Long slow action rods are called picking poles Easy to feel bite but very poor leverage Stand up vs. picking Pole 19
SPINNING vs. CONVENTIONAL Best for casting Poor leverage, limited drag Best leverage Best drag, poor casting 20
SUPER BRAID vs. MONO Mono Reasonable priced Able to stretch Multiple colors Has memory Braid Zero Stretch Small Diameter No memory Can not color, coat only not able to die Pricey Very durable 21
HIVIS, CLEAR, COLORED MONO If using Hi Vis use long mono leaders Mono is a light transmitter similar to fiber optics Use a variegated mono to reduce light transmittal 22
POWER PRO Low stretch helps with hook set Keep fish from getting in the bottom Small diameter increased line capacity Less water drag High abrasion 23
POWER PRO Knots with only 2 or 3 twist do not work well with braids most knots with 6 or more twist will work best knots palomar Uni Bimini twist When using Super Braid s most knives and wire cutters will not work scissors, preferable braid scissors work best. Visit powerpro.com for knot tying directions. Palomar Knot 24
UNI to UNI KNOT 25
LANDING NETS Tangle free nets allow you to net a fish with lure. The lure will not get tangled in netting. Rubber nets are great to release fish. Doesn t have the rough knotting that would damage the fish and remove it s protective slime. 26
FLUOROCARBON Great Leader High abrasion resistance Stiffer Larger Diameter Same density as water Carbon fleck stops light transmittal Has UV inhibitors last longer in sun Very slick, passes through guides easily 27
BAIT Shrimp all fish love LY s great bait hard to keep alive Pinfish (Choffer) hardy good bait Finger Mullet hardy good bait 28
CATCHING BAIT Sabaki catching bait on bare hook Great to catch most small baits 29
Live Chumming Chumming with live baits. When baits hit the water it s like they are jumping to avoid predators. Also sound and vibration attracts attention. 30
Lure Color Match the bait & water color Clear water: light color bottoms to lures with darker tops Dark Water: Gold & darker bottoms & colors Red to indicate injured or hurt fish 31
Best saltwater plastic bait ever made. Although not a true plastic. Available in all popular shapes & sizes. Biodegradable Leeches out scent as used, and when placed back in the container the bait will absorb the scent to regenerate the bait. Gulp 32
FLOATS Acts as a strike detector & also can be use to stimulate fish popin top of water when feeding. 33
GRUBS Work slow, with short poppin motion: Great fishing ledges & holes. 34
CASTING SPOONS & PLUGS Works great fishing on flats. Use gold spoons in tannic (brown) water & silver in clear water. 35
HOOKS & LEADS Treble hooks are illegal for Redfish, Trout & Pompano when using natural bait. Circle hooks work best for live baits. Remember with circle hooks, don t jerk, just reel. To be a legal circle hook, the hook point must be 90 degrees to the hook shank. 90 ------- 36
DIURNAL TIDES www.saltwatertides.com Because of East/West shore line & the effect of our Bay we only have 2 tides daily 1 high 1 low 37
DRIFT ANCHORS When drift fishing use a drift anchor to slow down the effect of wind Will also pull in tide direction 38
POLLING When fishing shallow water, Pole instead of motoring to avoid damage to sea grass You can be fined for destroying grass beds 39
TROLLING MOTOR FISHING Using a trolling motor to easily move up or down the current & to where you spot fish 40
TAILING REDS North shore of East Bay entering the Intercostals, lots of oyster beds favorite place for Reds 41
WADE FISHING Preferred by most good anglers fishing shallow water. Easy to approach fish or schools without spooking them Use 8-81/2 Rod to pick bait up high to get greater casting distance 42
PILING FISHING-SHEEPSHEAD Sheepshead hang around pilings eating crustaceans Great structure fish 43
GRASS BEDS Now protected by law Shallow water is marked with signs When fishing shallow water, Pole instead of motoring to avoid damage to sea grass You can be fined for destroying grass beds 44
FLY FISHING Ultimate light tackle fishing. Great for site casting Easy to have line out & pick up & cast to fish without retrieving line with one motion 45
POPULAR KNOTS Loop to Loop 46
KNOTS 47
FUTURE CLASSES August 10 th Surf Fishing September 14 th King Mackerel October 12 th Flounder & Fall Bay Fishing November 9 th Hands on Rigging 48
MEETINGS Gulf Of Mexico Fishery Management Council Meeting Schedule 2203 N Lois Avenue, Suite 1100 Tampa, Florida 33607 USA Toll Free: 888-833-1844 Email: info@gulfcouncil.org gulfcouncil.org 49
MEETINGS Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Farris Bryant Building 620 S. Meridian St. Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 (850) 488-4676 Saltwater Regulations myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/ 50
HOW TO MEASURE Fish regulated by fork length are measured from the tip of the jaw or tip of the snout with closed mouth to the center of the fork in the tail. Fork Length Species Include: Amberjacks, Bluefish, Rudderfish, King Mackerel, Hog Fish, Spanish, Mackerel, Dolphin, Permit, Cobia, Pompano, Mullet, African Pompano 51
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