Shelly’s Seafood & Fish Market

It is small fish market that was a lot cleaner than you would expect. We bought stone crab claws and shrimp. The day we went the selection was not very large, and a few items were frozen or shipped in. We also bought some salmon dip which was very good. Everything was great but a little expensive. Worth shopping here, but you might want to call ahead and check on the selection.

I have to agree somewhat with Kayak S. I got the impression from going there today, that Shelly herself, could care less if she loses a customer or 2 or 3… I guess she feels many others will just take their place. Thats ok for a while, but if she continues this way she will lose in a long run. To be honest, we will be looking to take our business elsewhere, someone who appreciates their customers a little more. We went there to buy some clams and blue crabs today. A very polite young girl waited on us. They were oit of clams and did not expect any until Friday she said. We did however buy the blue crabs. We have never tried the stone crab claws, and did hear they could be very salty. We asked the girl if we could sample one, possibly one that was broken and if we like it, we would buy some also. Shelly came walking towards the girl while waiting on a group of 3 ladies., and said absolutely not, we don’t do that, they’re just too expensive to waste. I stood there waiting for the girl to get some ice for the crabs for the long ride home, and while Shelly was waiting on one of the older women from that group of 3, she seemed to be a little short, or aggravated as the lady wanted 1 ½ pounds of shrimp and 1 ½ pounds of salmon. Now mind you, these prices are not cheap, and we all could possibly find another seafood market, but we came there. These customers are your livlihood, I would expect a pleasant personality to say the least. But, she did get somewhat bothered when the lady told her, I would like my shrimp frozen. Shelly asked, why, aren’t you going to use them right away? The woman told her no and she wanted them frozen for her ride home anyways. Shelly did act somewhat bothered as she took them from the bag and put them back in the showcase. We owned and operated our own business for over 25 years, and I would never act short with a customer or say, we don’t do that, its too expensive to waste, etc. I would make every effort to get that customer and hold onto them as they are your bread and butter so to speak. We are actively searching for another seafood market as we will NOT be going back there again.

I deleted my previous review… and am trying to be a big fan again.
I like the employee’s so I’ll go back to recommending the market for now. The store is great and the employee’s are super-​friendly and very helpful. I’ve spent thousands of dollars there over the past 5 or 6 years and recommended them to hundreds of people who had never heard of them. Prices are very good and their selection is usually great. Don’t miss Shelley’s if you are in town.
After I talked to someone working there, they hope the problem I had once is just a short-​term issue. (I also understand the stress of running a business. Payrolls and taxes eat away at your income. So stay in business and don’t favor any one customer, put on a big smile and treat all of your customers like each is the only one you have. And please read your own chalkboard!)
Enough said… ;)
*** Save the Blue Crabs! *** (A Personal Note)
Every other seafood place in Florida sells them so I don’t fault Shelley’s. Though I do hope someday that Florida outlaws selling female blue crabs. (Each female has about a million eggs per clutch and 5 egg clutch cycles throughout her life. That is 5 million potential crabs you just removed from the ecosystem. Think about that the next time you go to eat just one (1) female blue crab.
It’s insane and greatly hurts the local fishing too. I’d make a list of fish that eat crabs or the crab spawn at some point in their life but I am trying to keep this short.
I am a former commercial crabbing license holder (20 years) on the Chesapeake Bay. Despite protests by environmentalists, scientists (and me), it took decades for Maryland to finally outlaw taking Female Blue crabs… it’s too late. The remaining crabs are now small, few and far between. A lot of fish species have gone away too and most guys I know back in Maryland, don’t bother trying to catch crabs (or fish) there anymore. Maryland mostly imports it’s crabs and the Rockfish that swim through are only there because they travel into the ocean. Don’t let this also happen to Florida.
So when you see me at Shelly’s, I buy 2 dozen to get 1 dozen and let the females I bought go back alive into the river. It’s twice as expensive but it’s well worth it to me. About 5 million times as good as eating just one of the females. Let a dozen go and I can’t help but smile at the thought of the 60 million more crab spawn I just put back into the river.
I’ll get paid back later.

Drove 79 miles to get the fresh grouper again… It is so good and great price… They also had catfish that had just been filleted. We had just come from another restaurant that has the best steamed shrimp and had leftovers with us so Shelly gave us ice to put on our shrimp to get it home… I will cook the catfish first since it was so fresh but put the grouper in the freezer for next week… This place is just the best.

If you want FRESH seafood, a lot of it local, this is the place to go. Shelly is so sweet! Haven’t known her very long, we are new to the area, but when I complimented them on their amazing, delicious fresh seafood she stepped from behind the counter to give me a hug. Someone wrote they drove some distance to stock up on seafood from Shelly’s…well, I totally understand… good stuff, good people.

great place for local fish staff is so nice and a lovely view of the water and monkey island

Shelly’s is the best place to go for local seafood. Not only is everything fresh and delicious, the service is excellent. Everyone is super helpful and friendly, and recognizes us every time we go in there.

Well all I can say is that they have the best of the best you never know what your about to get from local to non local me and my family have been addicted to this place since we found it I highly recommend you will not be disappointed!!!

Wow, wow, wow! I love it!
I am a total sucker for a great seafood market, and this place takes the cake! I live in San Francisco and don’t know why we don’t have a place like this at Fisherman’s Wharf.
All of Shelly’s fish is basically local. She deals with very little frozen fish, and most of it is caught in waters within a 200 mile radius of her location. We got a fantastic grouper filet that we watched the guy on the back table filet for us right off the fish that had been delivered that morning. At that time, they had a guy gigging flounder and grouper for them; no nets, no hooks, just a spear gun. Of course they had local shrimp, oysters, blue crabs (that happened to be in season), and lots more.
I love Gulf fish, and this place definitely satisfied my itch! If I lived in Homosassa, it would be hard not to stop here every day on the way home. Love it, love it, love it!