Hunting and Gathering in Southern California

[ScoobaDood]

Ok, so my family and I pretty much like to eat just about anything that comes out of the ocean. I have been thinking about going out for Clams, Scallops, Muscles, etc.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Suggestions on gear, technique, locations, etc ?

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[ScoobaDood]

Yikes, well I am going to assume that the lack of responses would indicate that Southern California may not be the ideal location for these activities. Guess I will stick with Spiny Lobsters :cool2:

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Get on a charter boat out to the islands and you can find plenty of scallops. The Peace boat out of Ventura caters to hunters as many of the crew love to hunt. Most hard core hunters in Socal seem to be freedivers. You might have better luck finding compatible hunter friends on Spearboard.

 

[White Knight]

Scallops are can usually be found in clean current swept rocky reefs. Some of the easier sites to dive are picked pretty clean but those hard to find areas still have plenty to catch. As far as clams, etc., I haven't found much in the way of Southern Cal--exception of muscles. There are a ton of them but you need to ensure you are in clean water or I find them too dirty for my taste. Start with the scallops and work from there. I carry an ab iron to knock off the critters. It will destroy you knive very fast if you use it more than once or twice.

 

[drbill]

The offshore oil rigs are also great places to get scallops

 

[ScoobaDood]

Thanks all for the great feedback. I have been using all of my free time in search of these little morsels! I tell me wife I am out being the "Hunter/Gatherer" but in the end its just another excuse to get wet So far not much luck on Scallops, or Clams, but Muscles are a dime a dozen and are readily had