The beginning of the 2017 scallop season is a reminder that folks love the Nature Coast and come to Citrus County to collect their limits of tasty scallops.

It would be silly to try to tell you the best area to go because the amount of boats north of the Homosassa channel should be the best indicator.

A new rule in Citrus County is to not discard the clean scallop shells in the waters near the towns of Crystal River and Homosassa in the  river proper. Best to take them downriver away from resorts and homes to dump them.

When I was a kid we would use our oyster shells and sometimes scallop shells to fill in the pot holes on our lime rock road.  Just saying.

The red fishing has been tough, and traditionally during July it always has been.

With some effort, getting a boat limit of redfish is possible on incoming tide.  Live shrimp has been the best bait.  For the best action, the reefs and rocks in the 10- to12-foot depths are holding  grey grunts, mangrove snapper, sea bass, blue fish, spanish mackerel, flounder, and the occasional keeper gag grouper. Bring plenty of live shrimp and chartreuse 1/8^th oz. jig heads  to catch them.

High incoming tide this weekend will be late afternoon or at daylight in the morning.

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