This was a BIG oyster...probably the biggest I have seen...

Great pix, jeff!

That's only about a "size 8" . We often used to get up to what we called Size 12 Sliders In Tisbury Great Pond before the Dermo era. My late Dad was the only one I knew who actually preferred to slurp that size. I think the quickest haul of nice legal size oysters my elderly 2nd cousin & I got on a rec permit was about 325++ in under 45 min. about 10 yrs ago back when I'd human-haul a couple small dredges on his 13' Whaler for him .

But it took about 3 hrs for me to wade/rake up a peck of littlenecks about a week ago when temps reached mid 30's -way longer than usual to find that only 1/2 family-limit. Still loved every minute of it, and eat them most evenings.

The pics are great- definitely a nice outdoor adventure to help shake off the winter nasties and lead up to delicious well-earned horse-d'hooves.

Nice, Jeff.

Clamming and oystering is one thing I really miss down here. There are clams and oysters but, they are mostly being farmed or in very heavily polluted areas.

That said, I've found a little fish market that not only has the best local fish and shellfish but has two of it's own trucks bringing in same from New Bedford and Boston twice weekly.

Yup, Jeff. You must have had a great time out digging Quahogs and scratching Oysters. Don't see any Clams in your basket, though!

After all these years, I'm still after you Bill.
There is a difference between Quahogs and Clams, just like there is a difference between Blended and Unblended Scotch!!!!!!

Whatever, they are real Sweet in the Winter, with clear pure waters and cold temperatures.

Got me again, Chet. But you did teach me how to spell Quahog.

The only Quahogs I get down here are in that little fish market I mentioned and are brought in twice weekly from Massachusets. The local clams just don't stack up against them but the local Oysters are pretty good when you can get them.

What's the name of your Market, Bill? 10-4 on the local Oysters.
We always stop in Appilachicola when ever we are in the Florida Panhandle. 35 cents a piece is just too good a price to pass up. All shucked, sitting on an ice filled tray, waiting for us!

New England waters are colder and thus more salty than the Southern waters, thus the Quahogs are much more hardy and thus sweeter. I keep promising the Admiral a Chowder but have not found a good source of Quahogs. We occasionally come over to Melbourne and would delight in picking up a few goodies.

Hi, Chet. It's called Amazing Little Seafood Outlet at:
835 Creel Street
Melbourne, FL 32935-5976
(321) 259-5958
www.amazingseafood.com

It's a half block off of US-1 in the Eau Gallie section of Melbourne. Check out their web site for a map. Unless you are just passing through, you can call ahead to see what they have.
Regards,

Bill