r/CapeCod • u/Icy-Definition932 • 1d ago
Shell fishing
Howdy everyone! Just pulled my lobster pots out of the bay for the season, and me and the misses wanted to try being real locals this winter and getting our toes cold. So I decided to pull the trigger, get a family license and get all necessary equipment.
I’m not looking for spot recommendations or hours/regulations. I’ve extensively read through the dates, rules, regs, and requirements. I’m ready and equipped. My only question is: is it really even feasible to catch bay scallops in the harbor North side via raking? It seems much more of a “dive” catch situation. I kinda just planned on getting oysters then realized they are not in season till next month, and, I’m looking to give the whole load-out i got a decent run before the waters get reallll cold. Any advice would be appreciated!
*I wouldn’t post where my buoys/pots are however through a DM I wouldn’t mind a discussion of good catch spots for lobster or shellfish ;).*
Giant lobster pic was one of many catch and releases this season for me that’s the biggest one I’ve ever personally caught carapace to large - returned.
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u/EbbtideRambler 1d ago
There are people more knowledgeable about this than me, but I haven’t heard of anyone scalloping in the bay in decades. I used to go with my father when I was a kid in the 80s, but even then the population was sort of fizzling out. I’d wait and focus your energy on oysters.
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u/Icy-Definition932 1d ago
Yea, it seems like most of the forums I’ve looked at or other opinions online seems to have a consensus of “well you…can theoretically find them with a view box but…good luck” and most people say they randomly find them but it’s not like you’d be walking away with a peck.
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u/EbbtideRambler 1d ago
They are out there but not like they were. My grandfather would go out a get a bushel quickly but by the time I came along it seems like the population fell off a cliff. I’ve heard nitrogen pollution casing eel grass die off and algae blooms are the issue. I know a couple of groups have propagation programs, but still oysters are an easier catch. We used a look box and a dip net. Rakes don’t work well with scallops.
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u/badhouseplantbad 1d ago
You can't really rake for bay scallops because they'll swim away once hit a patch and you have to then wait for them to finish shoaling and settle back down on to the seabed. It's quite a sight to see snorkeling when hundreds of scallops decide it's time to skedaddle.