Sort out the clams from any rocks you may have caught, and place them in a bucket. Facebook Twitter Pinterest. Advanced or experienced clam diggers usually use shovels and many pride themselves on this. The trickiest part of digging up clams might be finding them in the first place. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. One of the most sought after west coast clams, this species can found from Alaska down to the San Francisco Bay area. Reply. For first time diggers this video from WDFW shows you how to dig for clams with both a shovel and and gun. In fact, they can dig to nearly four feet deep! A “Clam Gun” is a specialized tube for digging clams out of the sand. They’re usually perfectly circular, which is a good indicator that a clam is holed up beneath the sand. Your email address will not be published. Most areas in the US do require that you need to have a clam digging license. So if you want to go clamming while you're here, be sure to get a permit from the town where you'll be digging. Hard clams have growth rings and can be aged just as you would count rings on a tree stump. Although you can dig with your hands, it is much less time-consuming to use a shovel. Avoid tipping your bucket over to prevent losing any of your harvested clams. Just ask nicely and most people are more than happy to share some helpful advice. The handle of the shovel should be pointed toward the sand dunes. All the prospective clam-digger needs is a bucket, a clam rake, elbow grease, and knowledge of what to look for. If you don't find any clams, you have not have dug in the right spot. And like clockwork, the diggers emerge. The handle should be pointed toward the sand dunes. While they look slightly different, nearly all clam species make these kinds of holes. They tend to live about a foot deep in sand and sediment, so you’ll need a shovel to extract them. Even if the depression or hole does not squirt out water, you may still have found a clam. That’s a clam, alright – now all you need do is dig! How to Dig for Pismo Clams The California Department of Fish and Game suggests three ways to dig for Pismo clams: The usual method of collection by recreational clammers is by using a four- to six-tined garden fork. They’re usually between 3 and 5 inches long and burrow 2 inches (15 cm) deep. Refill the hole with dirt and move on to a new hole or depression. Learn more. It is done both recreationally (for enjoyment or as a source of food) and commercially (as a source of income). As they go up in size the names actually change. As one digs, the other stands nearby looking for the next dimple to go after. Some recipes require clams to be removed from the shell, which is called shucking. If you ask me they’re all delicious. I’ve loved being in the outdoors for as long as I can remember. First, rinse all sand from your clams. Clams, like other shellfish, can become contaminated from toxic algae blooms during certain times of the year, so be aware. If there is, then there is a clam beneath the hole. In addition to following local regulations, you’ll want to check if any clam flats have been closed due to pollution or red tide. Position your shovel. You can either pick through it by hand or use some type of clam rake to sift through it until you’ve found the hidden treasure! While they’re certainly not necessary, there are also so-called ‘clam guns’. preparing for my next outdoor adventure. Wash and store your rake. Once you've found a potential spot, dig directly below the depression, pull out the clam, and place it in a sealable bucket. To locate a razor clam, while slowly walking along tap the ground in front of you with your shovel blade, clam gun or simply stomp your feet, the vibration will cause the clam to dig itself deeper to escape an assumed threat. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 Turn-of-the-century postcards show seaside entrepreneurs with piles of clams stacked near their hand-pulled wagons. If there is, then there is a clam beneath the hole. Place the clams in a large pan or a sink with a stopper. In addition to the above species, there is a wide assortment of edible clams to be found on the tidal flats of North America. Add chopped garlic and sauté for 1 minute until its tender. In addition to a digging implement, you’ll want something to make sifting through sand easier. Digging for clams is dirty work so make sure that you wear clothes you do not mind getting wet and dirty. How to Catch Clams. Clams begin to decompose rapidly after they die and, much like crabs, must be cooked immediately after they've died. Your email address will not be published. There’s no question that the geoduck turns heads wherever it goes. This method applies to all clam varieties, but. 5 on “ Living Off The Land and Sea: Digging Steamer Clams with a Plunger ” Ron F 9 months ago Trade you a toilet plunger for 2 rolls of toilet paper! When shoveling, you’ll want to keep your shovel blade vertical to avoid damaging the shell. Cleaning and preparing razor clams. 1. They average between 3 and 4 inches when mature, but some can get as large as 5. Tips for Clam Digging You needn't incur the complications and expense of sport fishing to enjoy a year-round supply of fresh seafood . Research common clam species in your area to find and dig for them more efficiently. You can find your location's updated tide forecast at, Dimple: a small, flat depression in the sand, Keyhole: a hole with distinct edges, but no raised sides. Dig out the clams. After properly storing your clams, you'll be able to make a fresh and delicious seafood meal. We used to dig up cockles & use salt to capture Razor Clams as students. Clams have been a hit in this area 200 miles north of Los Angeles since the Chumash Indians began digging them up hundreds of years ago. Since most clams siphons are not directly vertical, many clammers prefer to use a wooden dowl to follow the siphon hole down. They’re found from Alaska down to southern California and can grow up to 11 inches long. References. The damp cloths are enough to keep them alive. These syphons leave a characteristic hole in the surface of the sandy mud they are buried in that looks like an old-fashioned keyhole. Clam digging is a North American term for a common way to harvest clams (edible infaunal bivalve mollusks) from below the surface of the tidal sand flats or mud flats where they live. Use your weight to push the shovel blade through the sand until your deep enough to scoop up the clams. There used to be a great many of them. Let it come to a boil and then add the clams. Put your clams in it for the drive. Pour white wine into the pot. Learn how to dig clams from Steve Woodman. Find out where to go, what to know, and tools of the trade when digging for clams in the Bay State. Digging Razor Clams in Washington 1. Dig out the clams. The Clamhawk is a 5” stainless steel clam gun and will last a lifetime. Razor clam digging with Captain Milt Gudgell. August 29, 2013. In nearly every Oregon estuary, some species of bay clams can be found. To check if a hole has a clam below it, stamp your foot or press your shovel near the hole. There’s a lot more than just clams to dig up during low tide. If you prefer, you can also rinse the clams over running water at home. Even those new to this cherished Northwest tradition can easily dig right in. If you’re digging with a clam shovel, you’ll want to place the blade about 6” away from the clam show on the side closest to the water with the handle pointed towards the shore. Unless you plan on diving, you can only gather clams, oysters, and other shellfish during low tide, when the water goes out and exposes their hiding spots. Use your knife to loosen the lower adductors. How to Dig a Geoduck. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Check out our guide to clam digging in Massachusetts. . Size and shape of the bay are the most critical factors. However, the entire process requires a lot of hard work, and it might take some time before you manage to collect enough clams for the clam chowder you plan to make, or for a good old-fashioned clam bake. It will let you locate deeply burrowed clams by tracing them down their holes. In a large pot heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. The sand had a thin film of water so the air dimples weren’t showing up. Each tidal cycle is about 4 hours, so you’ll have multiple opportunities to harvest them. Dig out the clams. 1 cup chopped onions. The limit is 15 clams a day per person, and you can only dig on days when an opening is announced by WDFW (again, check the website). Before going clam digging, contact your local wildlife department to determine whether you need a license. Use your body weight to push the shovel vertically into the sand while you drop to one knee. Tidal exchange, salinity, species ranges, and substrates also weigh heavily. Many locations have license requirements, as well as restrictions on the size and number of clams you can dig up per day. You’ll also want to make sure the beach you’re planning to collect clams isn’t closed for the season. Required fields are marked *. If there’s no squirt, there still may be clams below, so it’s worth digging up. Soon, Andy and I are taking turns digging. They have a smooth shell and a dexterous foot that spreads out and allows them to pull themselves down. 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