Posted by Eins on September 28, 2000 at 11:41:59:
In Reply to: scallop gathering... posted by kelphead on September 27, 2000 at 23:16:20:
Like Chris, I also prefer to cut the scallop out in the water. To get the biggest possible piece out, it helps if your knife is either very thin and therefore flexible (like a filet knife would be), or you can get a cheap SS kitchen knife and bend the blade so you can hug the inside shell shape as you cut.
When you approach the scallop, don't get too close or it will shut tight. Try to get your knife in without cutting right away. The scallop will then explore what it is by sort of nibbling on your blade without completely closing up. That's the moment when you want to get your knife into position to then make the cut along the attached half first (it is shallower).
If the scallop shuts tight on you with your knife inside, you won't be able to make a good cut, so it's best to pull out the knif and wait until the scallop opens up again.
You'll find scallops on mostly vertical structures (rocks, rigs). For rocks and reefs, they will be on the sides that are covered with other vegetation too--that's where the currents bring their nutrition. Palos Verdes has some very good sites because they are not easy to get to. That's where a kayak comes in handy ;-)
Eins