Gary's Seafood Specialties

"Famous By Word Of Mouth"

Florida Seafood

Catfish, Lake Okeechobee - Clams, Cedar Key - Cobia - Crabs, Florida Stone Crabs - Dolphin - Escolar - Flounder - Frog Legs - Golden Tile - Grouper, Black - Grouper, Red - Grouper, Scamp - Grouper, Snowy - Grouper, Wreck - Grouper, Yellow Edge - Kingfish - Lobster, Spiny Lobster - Mahimahi - Pompano - Sheephead - Shrimp, Head On, Fresh - Shrimp, Rock Shrimp - Snapper, Atlantic Lane - Snapper, Beeliner - Snapper, Brazilian - Snapper, Dog - Snapper, Genuine American Red - Snapper, Hog - Snapper, Mangrove - Snapper, Margate - Snapper, Mutton - Snapper, Porgy - Snapper, Yelloweye - Snapper, Yellow Tail - Sturgeon, Mote Marine Aquarium - Swordfish - Tuna, Albacore - Tuna, Bluefin - Tuna, Yellowfin - Trigger Fish - Tripletail - Wahoo

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(Everything is subject to government regulations and weather)

Cedar Key Clams

I can’t begin to talk about Cedar Key Clams, without first giving a background on this really neat little island. It was originally founded in 1842, but in 1855, the Eberhard Faber Pencil Company brought the “pencil” industry to the area, buying up a large tract of land for 50 cents an acre. The company was drawn to the area because of the large number of Cedar Trees (the namesake of the key), but the funny part is that the “cedar” trees, were actually “juniper” trees. The original settlement on Cedar Key was destroyed when a hurricane wiped it out in 1896. The town has since been moved to another part of the island. About all that remains of the original town is a cemetery, with graves older than 1896. Cedar Key has been pelted by a series of hurricanes during 2004 and 2005, however, the clamming industry has been largely unaffected.

The Cedar Key Clam industry is by far the largest in the State of Florida. Clamming on Cedar Key is a multi-million dollar industry, producing at least 70% of the states clam production.

There are actually 3 species of clams that are raised on Cedar Key. The Hard Clam (Venus Mercenaria), which is most widely cultivated, the Soft Shell (Mya Arenaria) and the Surf Clam (Spisula Solidissima). Hard Clams are sold as Quahog, (which is the Wampanoag Indian word Poquahock), in two different sizes; cherrystone, which are about 3” in diameter and littlenecks. Species of clams grown on the East Coast vary from those cultivated on the West Coast. Soft Shells are usually used for steaming, while Surf Clams find their way into chowders.

The Clamming industry is very new to Cedar Key. In 1995, the State of Florida put a ban on net fishing that went into effect on July 1, 1995. In an effort to help fishermen, the State Government worked with the fishermen to teach them how to cultivate clams. The clamming industry has had a domino effect on the area, because not only is money made off of the clams, but all of the materials needed to support the industry are produced in the vicinity of Cedar Key.

To purge clams (get the sand and “other stuff” out), simply place the clams in cold, salted water for about an hour. Rinse them and prepare them.

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