We are looking at a very busy weekend because of the July 4th holiday and the opening of scallop season. I’m going to divert from my traditional fishing report to talk about boat safety.

It starts with having all the USCG required equipment in the vessel before you leave the dock.

On the way out of the coastal rivers be sure to have everyone on board seated and if it becomes congested in a narrow channel, slow down and wait for there to be enough space between boats to resume speed.

Boats do not have brakes!

On the scallop grounds, slow down to idle speed and have someone be a lookout for people in the water when you approach the fleet. Yes some snorkelers do stray too far from their vessels, and that’s breaking the law, but running them over would be tragic. 

Something I do while in the water looking for scallops is to swim into the current. This allows me to see into the turtle grass because it bends over with the current and swimming into the current makes it easier to return to the vessel. The current will help carry you back.

I’ve had folks decide not to use fins and get tired quickly without their help. Another way to find more scallops is to swim in a grid-like pattern to make sure you’re not hovering over the same spot.

We will have a incoming tide during most of the day with outgoing mid afternoon.

Have fun and be safe. Happy Fourth of July!

Homosassa Weekly Fishing Report from Captain William Toney

To schedule a fishing charter or shore lunch excursion with Captain Toney, visit his website.

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