Diving for Scallops

[Robbie1950]

G'day,

For all the divers on this forum... How hard is it to dive for scallops in PPB? Do you need tanks or will snorkels get the job done? Roughly what depths are we talking and how hard are they to actually find?

Thanks in advance!

[AE092]

You'll find them easily in the southern PPB region; anywhere from Rye down through to Sorrento in Portsea in about 3-4m. Really comes down to how fit you are and lung capacity, you won't need tanks as I've seen them right under piers at times (non collection zone when within 3-400m of piers I think).

[Robbie1950]

Ironic you say that. We are actually staying in Rye for a week over the holidays and we're hoping to possibly pick up a few. Thanks for your help mate.

[Yota]

Good post, is there a particular bottom scallops like ? Sandy? Mud ? Weed ?
I've always wanted to give this a go.

[denis barden]

The young guy next door goes for them a fair bit
He uses a Hooker he dives down and his dad stayes in the boat and drifts over the locations I think about 4 m water
He goes not far from Mud Island-He tells me there are heaps around

[skronkman]

Last I was told you needed to get into 15 meters off Rye. I have free dived for them in up to 7 meters and it was really hard work and there weren’t many around at that depth.

[eddyt]

Did you guys free dive for them from a boat, or is it within swimming distance of the shore? I heard they can be found about 100-200m from the end of rye pier, but those jetskis and boats put me off swimming out

[skronkman]

I had a boat. I did find 2 within 50 meters of shore in Sorrento once but they weren’t plentiful. I think a boat and diving gear are required for any degree of success.

[Kimtown]

Did you guys free dive for them from a boat, or is it within swimming distance of the shore? I heard they can be found about 100-200m from the end of rye pier, but those jetskis and boats put me off swimming out

Dive float and flag should help a bit