Forget farm to table, your Florida summer adventure should be catch-and-cook. Here’s how and where to do it
Summer is prime time for bountiful seafood in Florida’s waters and recreational saltwater fishing brings millions of visitors to the state each year. Florida Fish and Wildlife reported more than 1.5 million recreational saltwater fishing licenses were sold in 2019, and with the increase in interest among travelers for outdoor activities that allow for social distancing in the COVID-19 pandemic’s wake, fishing is more of a draw than ever.
This summer, consider chartering a boat and heading out into the deep blue for a day in the sunshine and fresh air. After you’ve dropped hook, line and sinker and reeled in that succulent seafood, head to a local restaurant where they’ll do all the dirty work. All you have to do is order some sides, a frosty beverage and tuck into taste your hard day’s work.
Down by the bay: Scalloping in Crystal River
Season: July 1 to Sept. 24, 2022
If you can snorkel, you can scallop. The shallow grass flats — between four and six feet deep — of the Gulf of Mexico are where you’ll find the tiny, sweet bay scallops that eat like popcorn and taste like heaven. They’re elusive — with dark purple shells and twenty-ish pinhead-sized neon blue eyes guarding the tender morsel inside — but that makes the reward for spotting and plucking them from the grasses even more satisfying.
The guided scalloping package from The Plantation on Crystal River, about an hour’s drive from Tampa International Airport (TPA), makes this experience easy. The guided package includes a two-night stay in a garden or water view room or villa, daily breakfast, a day out with one of the area’s top captains that includes mask, fins, snorkel and souvenir scalloping bag, and a catch-and-cook feast at the hotel’s signature restaurant, West 82.
Related: Giant flamingo lands at Tampa International Airport
If you have a Florida recreational saltwater fishing license, you can head out on your own boat (or rent one from one of the marinas nearby) and scallop as long as you like. Bring a cooler and put your catch on ice for the trip from the Gulf to one of Crystal River’s many restaurants offering to cook your catch. On my last trip, we settled into Dan’s Clam Stand on N. Sunshine Path, and they were more than happy to broil, fry or saute the 10 pounds of bay scallops we hauled in that day.
Rates at The Plantation on Crystal River start at $949 mid-week for two nights for the guided tour package, and $479 mid-week for two nights for unguided, bring-your-own-boat packages.
Spiny season: Lobstering in the Florida Keys
Mini Season: July 27 to 28, 2022
Regular Season: Aug. 1 to March 31, 2022
Florida’s spiny lobsters are different from the ones you’ll find in New England. They’re clawless, with pearly white meat only found in the tail. They’re also super feisty, so confidence is key. Recreational divers can tackle these crustaceans during the mini lobster season, which is always the last Wednesday and Thursday in July. This year, it’s the 27th and 28th of the month.
There is a limit to how many lobsters you can pluck from the ocean floor — six per person in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park, and 12 per person for the rest of Florida. The lobster’s length between head and first tail joint must also measure longer than three inches. Your boat captain and crew should be able to tell you which lobsters are big enough to keep.
You’ll also need a recreational Florida saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit to harvest unless you go out with a charter like Saltwater Seafari, located on Big Pine Key. Bring your catch to a seafood shack like Conch Republic Seafood Company or The Lobster Shack, both located on Key West, and they’ll clean and cook your haul.
Related: 9 of our favorite points hotels in the Florida Keys
Marriott Bonvoy members should consider a few nights at Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, on 15 acres of beachfront Key Largo. Currently, member rates for mini season start at $636 per night for a Bay Front Suite. Another option for World of Hyatt members is the Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa, a Category 7 hotel, where mini-season rates start at $599 for a King guest room with partial ocean view.
Fish tails: Red snapper on the Paradise Coast
Season: June 1 to Aug. 31, 2022
Snook would usually be on the menu for recreational fishing this summer, but 2022’s snook season has been relegated to catch-and-release only. Instead, red snapper season is in full swing, starting at the beginning of the month, with plenty of charters to take you out and restaurants to clean and cook those beauties.
Pure Florida, which runs out of Naples, is the top choice for a charter, running a series of trips for snapper for the three-month season. They also offer private boats for small groups. Once you catch your fish, they’ll keep them on ice in a cooler for the trip back to the mainland, where you can take your bounty to the Tin City area of Naples, where restaurants like Riverwalk and Pinchers will broil, fry or blacken the fish. If you’re going out on your own boat, you’ll just need a recreational fishing license from Florida Fish & Wildlife, which is available at most bait and tackle shops.
Related: The ultimate guys’ fishing weekend
Stay at the Hilton Naples, where weeknights this summer start at $218 per night for Hilton Honors members or 54,000 points for night for a standard room. A more luxurious, yet still family-friendly, option is the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, which starts at $900 per night mid-week, or 168,000 points for Marriott Bonvoy members. If you’re planning for next year, Four Seasons will open the Naples Beach Club, the first Four Seasons on Florida’s Gulf Coast, formerly the site of the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, which closed in May 2021.
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.