Butter clams-Little necks

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Toni
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Butter clams-Little necks

Post by Toni » Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:29 pm

I am hoping to go clam digging Thursday. My question is what does anyone use to dig for them? It is in the rocks. How about geoducks? I haven't seen any except at Pt Defiance (years ago) and they were in the clay. No way to get them out.
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He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

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RE:Butter clams-Little necks

Post by fishing collector » Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:54 pm

For the clams you should use a four prong fork..or a rake with four long tines...They will work just fine. a pointed shovel might work in a pinch but the rakes work best........ Geoduck is best with a long shovel...plan on making a huge hole....The commercial guys use a water hose...dig a hole 18" to 2 feet back from the neck and down 2 to 3 feeet then slowly work your self into the neck hole.....if you get one you will be lucky....most people just end up with a big horse clam or nothin! Good Luck

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RE:Butter clams-Little necks

Post by fishnislife » Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:14 pm

Rake the surface for the butters.
Geoducks are a little harder. You'll be digging for days unless you get on them quick. Good luck out there.



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RE:Butter clams-Little necks

Post by Toni » Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:34 pm

I think I will skip the geoduck. Sounds like they are harder work than I want to do.
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He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

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RE:Butter clams-Little necks

Post by Shad_Eating_Grin » Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:45 pm

For the littlenecks or butter clams, I usually found the hand-held garden trowels to be easier to use than the hand forks.

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RE:Butter clams-Little necks

Post by Toni » Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:25 am

When I started looking for items to use to dig clams with in my shed I found I didn't have anything that might work. I bought a mini claw. Mainly because of the cost. The other things were $25 verses $8 for the claw thing. Since I won't be doing this all the time I thought it might be easier on my back. I will just kneel and dig. I am looking forward to fresh clams.
I did wonder what others used to get them.
Last edited by Anonymous on Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
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He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

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RE:Butter clams-Little necks

Post by Dave » Tue Jul 29, 2008 7:55 am

The beaches I have clammed have all been rocky. During a low tide, I go just above the water line and remove the rocks in an area maybe 3X3. I find the manila and butter clams maybe 2 to 5 inches deep. It has always been easy picking. I use a cheap 3 prong garden tool and I wear the inexpensive garden gloves with the blue rubber palm. Good luck.

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RE:Butter clams-Little necks

Post by Toni » Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:53 pm

Gloves are a good idea.
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He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

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