Change of nature’s seasons closes one door and opens many others to keep us engaged and entertained. There are rumbles folks are still shrimping Oak Hill and Brevard. These rumors are facts. Oak Hill is still producing small shrimp with mixed sizes. Tampa is on the radar and they are into the crickets. Best place to shrimp in Tampa is South St. Petersburg at Fort DeSoto, you don’t need a boat. There remains “hit and miss” pockets of action in N. Brevard. Great news is S. Brevard has risen from the ashes. They have had a miserable last few years but this year we are in what may become epic. There are no complaints of S. Brevard sewage odors which dominated the forums earlier in the year. Hot areas right now are the Melbourne bridges coupled with a cast net is producing nice buckets. Mathers bridge has been busy, get there early. Shrimp Trapping is on fire at the SR 192, a Brevard spot known for trapping.
Scalloping season is now open for the popular areas like Crystal River, Keaton and Steinhatchee. There is nothing more joyous than chasing these little sea biscuits with snorkel and mask. Crystal River is about a 2-hour drive from Central Florida, and Steinhatchee is about 4-hour commute. Scalloping opens July 1, check the FWC website for regulations.
Is this the month that the white summer shrimp that run during the day time populate S. Volusia/S. Daytona area? This year we had more normal winter shrimping pattern, few white shrimp, no Asian shrimp caught. After 2 hurricanes in 2 years, I am optimistic the needle will swing towards the rehabilitation of the summer season. It is very common for Central Florida to tow the 2 hours to N.E. Region who had a very healthy summer shrimping season. Intel changes daily, for up to the minute intel and reports visit us on Facebook at Florida Shrimping Academy – Tips & Tricks.
