The Best Weeks
to Scallop Are
Right Now

The Scallop & Music Fest at SunWest Park wrapped up this past weekend, the food trucks have packed up, and the live music has faded. But here is the thing most visitors do not realize: the best scalloping of the season in Hudson Beach, Florida has not even started yet. The next five weeks — now through August 18 — are the real sweet spot for bay scallops on the Pasco County Gulf coast. The festival crowds are gone, the water is warm and clear, and the seagrass beds off Hudson Beach are loaded with scallops waiting to be found. If you have been thinking about getting out on the water, this is the time.

Why the Post-Festival Weeks Are the Best

During the opening weekend of scallop season — July 10 through 12 — the grass flats near Strickland Park and SunWest Park were packed. That is part of the fun: the energy of opening day, the festival atmosphere, the sense that the whole community is out on the water together. But for pure scalloping quality, the weeks that follow are hard to beat. Here is why:

• Fewer people in the water. The grass flats near Strickland Park that were shoulder-to-shoulder on opening weekend are much quieter on weekday mornings in mid-July. More scallops per square foot, less competition, and a more relaxed experience overall.
• The seagrass beds are at peak growth. By mid-July, the underwater seagrass meadows off the Hudson Beach coast have had weeks of warm water and long daylight to fill in. Scallops cling to the blades in dense concentrations, especially in two to four feet of water near the shore.
• Water clarity improves after the festival. The boat traffic and foot disturbance that stirred up sediment during festival week settle within a few days. Mid-week water off Hudson Beach FL is typically clearer, making scallops easier to spot.
• Charter availability opens up. The guides who were fully booked for the first two weeks now have more openings. If you want a guided scallop trip from Hudson Marina, mid-July through early August is when you can actually get on the schedule.

Current Conditions: What the Water Looks Like Right Now

Mid-July water conditions along the Pasco County coast are about as good as they get for a combination of scalloping, fishing, and paddleboarding. Here is what to expect this week and through the end of the month:

Where to Scallop This Week

If you are scalloping from shore, the grass flats off Robert J. Strickland Memorial Park remain the most accessible option in Hudson Beach FL. At low tide, wade out from the seawall and work the seagrass in two to four feet of water. No boat required, and on a weekday morning you might have the entire stretch to yourself. Look for the blue eyes — scallops have tiny reflective eyes along their shell edge that give them away once you know what to look for.

For a more productive experience, a short boat ride to the grass flats near Anclote Key Preserve State Park or Three Rooker Bar will put you on larger concentrations with clearer water. Several charter services in Hudson offer guided scallop trips — and unlike opening weekend, you can usually book with a few days' notice in mid-July.

If you are willing to make the 30-minute drive south, the Hernando County zone — which includes Hernando Beach and the Weeki Wachee area — has its own excellent grass flats and a longer season that runs through September 24. The Hernando County zone opened on July 1 and is producing well right now.

Fishing Update: Mid-July Patterns on the Pasco County Flats

While scalloping gets the headlines this month, the fishing around Hudson Beach is producing solid action as well. The tarpon migration is winding down — you can still find fish on the deep flats north of Hudson toward Hernando Beach, but the peak has passed. The inshore species are picking up the slack:

• Snook are on the beaches and near mangrove shorelines throughout Hudson Beach. They are out of season for harvest until September 1, but catch-and-release fishing for snook is outstanding right now. Live pinfish near structure is the top producer.
• Redfish are holding on sand bars and near the Anclote River mouth. Afternoon rains have stained the water slightly, which actually helps — redfish feed more aggressively in murky water. Gold spoons and live shrimp are the go-to baits.
• Spotted seatrout remain reliable on the grass flats throughout Pasco County. Beginner-friendly and great for getting kids into fishing — live shrimp under a popping cork in three to five feet of water is the simplest and most effective approach.
• Nearshore — hogfish and mangrove snapper are productive around the artificial reef system off the Hudson Beach coast. These reefs create structure in relatively shallow water that holds a surprising variety of species. For a deeper dive into where to fish, see our complete fishing spots guide.

The best fishing window in mid-July is from first light through about 10 AM. After that, the fish go deep and the thunderstorms start building. If you want a local captain, here are the charter services we recommend — and unlike tarpon season, you can usually book with less advance notice right now.

Paddleboarding & Dolphin Encounters

Mid-July dawn paddleboard sessions on the Gulf are some of the best of the year. The water is glassy before 8 AM, the temperature is warm and comfortable, and dolphin encounters are common near Strickland Park and along the mangrove shoreline. Launch from Strickland Park or SunWest Park for the calmest conditions.

For a more immersive experience, paddle into Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park. The salt marsh trails wind through 4,000 acres of protected coastal wilderness, and you are almost guaranteed to see wading birds, osprey, and possibly a manatee. The park is free to enter and the kayak launch is accessible from the park road. Our mid-summer paddleboarding guide covers routes, timing, and safety tips for paddling in Hudson Florida during July.

What Else Is Happening This Week

Even with the Scallop & Music Fest behind us, the Hudson Beach and Pasco County community stays active through the summer:

• SunWest Park Summer Series. The 70-acre spring-fed lake is in full summer mode with aqua park sessions, paddleboard rentals, and food trucks. Open daily 7 AM to 7 PM. One of the top things to do in Hudson Beach FL for families.
• Live music at Sam's Beach Bar. Weekend performances continue on the waterfront patio along Clark Street. Fish tacos, cold drinks, and Gulf breezes. Check the events page for this week's lineup.
• Friday Night Farmers Markets. Fresh produce, local artisans, food trucks, and live music in downtown Hudson and New Port Richey. The kind of community gathering that makes small-town Florida feel like home.
• Wildlife viewing at Werner-Boyce. Roseate spoonbills, osprey, and dolphins in the salt marsh. Early morning is best. The Eagle Trail offers the best birding along the Hudson Beach FL coast.

Where to Eat After a Day on the Water

After a morning of scalloping or fishing, the waterfront restaurants along Clark Street in Hudson Beach deliver. Inn on the Gulf serves fresh-off-the-boat seafood with panoramic water views — the grilled grouper and peel-and-eat shrimp are local staples. Sam's Beach Bar is the place for fish tacos and a cold drink with your feet in the sand. Both fill up fast on weekend evenings, so arrive before 6 PM for the best tables.

For something more casual, Ram's Family Restaurant on Little Road does generous breakfasts and lunches that will fuel you for a full day on the water. And Skinny's Bar & Grill on US-19 is the Hudson institution where live music on weekends and cold beers make every evening feel like a community block party. For the full dining scene, see our Hudson Beach dining guide.

Bay scallop season in Pasco County runs through August 18. You have five full weeks of some of the best scalloping on Florida's Nature Coast, and the weeks ahead — with fewer crowds, clear water, and warm conditions — are going to be the highlight of the season. Get out there.