Divers and snorklers prepare your gear. July 1st kicks off Gulf scallop season from the Mexico Beach Canal to the Pasco-Hernando county line. The season ends on Sept. 10.

Snorkel, bucket and dive flag are all that’s necessary to get in on the action—that, and a means to getting to your scalloping grounds. Nets, flippers and cooler are useful, too. The daily limit is 2 gallons whole or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person. (No more than 10 gallons of shelled scallops can be possessed at anytime.)

Scallopers need a saltwater fishing license when using a boat to harvest scallops. Starting Aug. 1, even non-boating scallopers need a regular saltwater fishing license or the new shore license.

Divers and snorkelers are required to display a divers-down flag while in the water. Boaters must stay at least 100 feet away from a divers-down flag near channels. In open waters, boaters must stay 300 feet away.

Check Tommy Thompson’s Big Bend fishing 4cast from last week and Thursday afternoon’s new report for a crash course on scalloping in his area from Homosassa to Steinhatchee. July’s Florida Sportsman issue features Big Bend and Northwest Action Spotter sections full of bay scallop coverage.