Razor clamming New Years?

[lokidog]

My wife got us reservations in Long Beach for New Years, anyone heading down that way for the razor clam dig, if they have one?  Might try for some surf perch as well.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Going to kill an elk that weekend.

[Holg3107]

Yep, I'll be up on Mockrocks surf perching and clamming as well! good luck.

[fillthefreezer]

been trying to talk the wife into headin out for that dig

[Encore 280]

Surf perch and clams!!! Yeah baby!!! :drool:Time to break out the Cabela's 15' surf rod and clam gun! We usually stay at the Klipsan Beach Cabins or Ocean Park Resort in the Guest Cabin. KBC is a little spendy but they have really nice cabins and fireplaces, nice and clean. We dig north of Ocean Park up by the lighthouse. Seem's like there's usually bigger clams up at the north end. I didn't realize that the perch were biting then. Are they year around biters? I've always gone for them during the derby in May and then whenever I can in the summer.

[lokidog]

Don't know if the perch will cooperate but can't catch them if you don't try.  We're planning on doing a bit of sight seeing stuff in Astoria as well.  It'll be fun to get the pup out on the beach too.

Any tips on the perch off Long Beach would be appreciated.   

[Kc_Kracker]

oh snap clam  got me thinking I am now in need of 5 plates of butter clams, thanks alot   

[BigGoonTuna]

sure would be nice if we got a decent day to go clamming, not a big fan of going out there in sideways rain.  seems like all the digs this year have coincided with some really nasty weather.

the good thing is, that makes for more springtime digs!

[lokidog]

sure would be nice if we got a decent day to go clamming, not a big fan of going out there in sideways rain.  seems like all the digs this year have coincided with some really nasty weather.

the good thing is, that makes for more springtime digs!

I remember a few of those.  Haven't razor clammed in about 7 or 8 years so am looking forward to it.  Have to figure out a light as my old Coleman rusted out on me from using it long ago.   

[HntnFsh]

Wifey and I bought a new trailer a couple weeks ago. Would love to pull it over to Ocean Shores for a base camp while we head further north for some clam digging. Bought a new clam gun a few weeks ago and havent even got to try it out yet,

[ICEMAN]

Jealous, would love to hit the clams....have to wait till spring for me....

[Encore 280]

Don't know if the perch will cooperate but can't catch them if you don't try.  We're planning on doing a bit of sight seeing stuff in Astoria as well.  It'll be fun to get the pup out on the beach too.

Any tips on the perch off Long Beach would be appreciated.   

Clam necks or shrimp for the perch. I've always used the necks or horse clam necks that I dig around the Sound. I think you can Google "Long Beach Surf Perch" and get some good info. There was a guy on the site here a couple weeks ago that used those Berkley worms and did alright on them.
I hope you're not one of those people that lets their dog/dogs run all over the place when people are clam diggin. I hate it when I'm trying to find clams and there's dogs running all over the place and squatt'n and taking a dump where people are diggin. Sorry, just one of my pet peeves.
If you get some perch and like them fried, we head for Oysterville to the fish market there and get a couple pkgs of their Willabay Breading mix and roll the fillets in that then fry 'em up. That mix is the best there is.  I think maybe Jack's grocery store sells it too, they have everything in there. Good luck fishing and clamming.

[lokidog]

Don't know if the perch will cooperate but can't catch them if you don't try.  We're planning on doing a bit of sight seeing stuff in Astoria as well.  It'll be fun to get the pup out on the beach too.

Any tips on the perch off Long Beach would be appreciated.   

Clam necks or shrimp for the perch. I've always used the necks or horse clam necks that I dig around the Sound. I think you can Google "Long Beach Surf Perch" and get some good info. There was a guy on the site here a couple weeks ago that used those Berkley worms and did alright on them.
I hope you're not one of those people that lets their dog/dogs run all over the place when people are clam diggin. I hate it when I'm trying to find clams and there's dogs running all over the place and squatt'n and taking a dump where people are diggin. Sorry, just one of my pet peeves.
If you get some perch and like them fried, we head for Oysterville to the fish market there and get a couple pkgs of their Willabay Breading mix and roll the fillets in that then fry 'em up. That mix is the best there is.  I think maybe Jack's grocery store sells it too, they have everything in there. Good luck fishing and clamming.

Thanks Encore, nope on the dog, only during the day... for the reason you posted and I want to focus my attention on the shows not the pup.  We do all of our fried fish in either corn flake crumbs, corn flake crumbs with some Zatarans southern fish fry, or instant mashed potato powder for a changeup, all dunked in egg first.   

On the shrimp for bait, do the tails get peeled first or leave the shell on?  Should have some clam necks as there's a -3 something tide series next weekend or so and we'll be digging some horse clams out here.

[Dhoey07]

Freshly dug sand shrimp, no peeling needed

[lokidog]

Freshly dug sand shrimp, no peeling needed

 Can you get sand shrimp higher up the beach from the clams, the little "volcanos"?  I have a lot of spot shrimp still and would be willing to use a few to try to catch fish, though clam necks will last longer on the hook.

[Holg3107]

Yea, you can use your clam gun and catch some shrimp. Just get down to right at high water and dig a hole, let it fill up with water, and there will be sand shrimp. Problem is they don't stay on very good. I was the one who used the Berkley Gulp Sandworms since I was there the day before Razor Clamming and had great success. They stayed on the hook and the fish loved them! Clam necks will stay on the same the hook as well. Also we were using bass fishing and steelhead gear and were able to get out far enough into the surf with no problem, in fact we found that the fish were a lot closer in than we thought. I was using my 10' Medium weight steelhead rod, 2 oz pyramid, 12-18" leader, red gamakatsu worm hook, sandworm. My buddy had the same set up except he used my 6'6 medium wight bass rod, 1 oz pyramid. Had equal success.

[Dhoey07]

If i remember right, you're supposed to fish the 2nd set of rollers.  Also i remember reading about a setup with multiple hooks spaced 8 inches or so apart. 

[lokidog]

If i remember right, you're supposed to fish the 2nd set of rollers.  Also i remember reading about a setup with multiple hooks spaced 8 inches or so apart.

I've got some crappie rigs with multiple loops to tie hooks to, should work well.

[BigGoonTuna]

i don't fish any specific set of waves, but if you can do some scouting at low tide, find where the sand bars are, then fish the calm water between the bar and the beach when the tide comes up.  often times you'll get fish 10 feet in front of you.

[mainer78]

We will be heading to ocean shores with the family... Already have a ton of clams in the freezer from the last few times we have been out.  But hey 75 clams a pop it's hard to eat all of them at once... we have tried for sure.   Never have been surf perch fishing.  Although i would like to try sometime...

[Gobble Doc]

I am going to try for razor clams with my son for the first time this weekend.  We have never gone before.  Is anyone willing to PM me with any good ideas on which beaches would be a good place to start?  Thanks and good luck everyone! 

[Igottanewknee]

I can't wait till spring digs...Well, I have to cause I hate the dark and the rain that goes sideways. Wish I didn't get glasses... Can't see crap with the rain and wind....Good luck to all you guys going this week.

[lokidog]

I am going to try for razor clams with my son for the first time this weekend.  We have never gone before.  Is anyone willing to PM me with any good ideas on which beaches would be a good place to start?  Thanks and good luck everyone!

Closest for you will be north or south of Grays Harbor.  I've always done well at Kalaloch or Mochrocks but my wife wants to head further south to sightsee Astoria during the day.  If you are unfamiliar with the area, it is a good idea to check it out during daylight first.

[ICEMAN]

I am going to try for razor clams with my son for the first time this weekend.  We have never gone before.  Is anyone willing to PM me with any good ideas on which beaches would be a good place to start?  Thanks and good luck everyone! 

PM sent.

[lokidog]

I am going to try for razor clams with my son for the first time this weekend.  We have never gone before.  Is anyone willing to PM me with any good ideas on which beaches would be a good place to start?  Thanks and good luck everyone! 

PM sent.

Any PMs for where the big ones are on the Long Beach Peninsula?   

[wildmanoutdoors]

The rule is the farther north you go the bigger the clams. But in recent years with added pressure the clams range as to whats been hit hard. The beaches that get hit really hard can have much smaller clams than the ones that dont.

Or if a beach is closed for a couple years and re opens it can have bigger clams.

Klaloch used to be a great digging area, but has been dead for years now.

Mocrocks used to be known for biggies, but in front of the casino has been better for big clams in the last year or two.

If you go South of Westport, clams are harder to find and can be harder to dig because of the gravel in the sand. Local knowledge is a key here.

If your new, Id stay North of Ocean shores and try different areas each night. Unless your into big clams already!

Never dug at Long Beach.

Also, some food for thought. If you go out 2 hours before the tide and the tide is going to be really low. You may hit smaller clams as the recent digs may have alreay hit those areas of the beach. A really low tide can yeild some much bigger clams if you wait and dig as far out as possible! Especially if your a shovel pounding surf digger!

[Gobble Doc]

Thanks for the ideas everyone.  I'll post pictures of whatever we end up with.  Hopefully getting a first clam won't be as hard as getting my first steelhead or turkey.

[NRA4LIFE]

Gobble Doc, PM Sent.

[fillthefreezer]

we were into the big ones but when youd go in the hole after one waves typically went all the way over you 

[Holg3107]

we were into the big ones but when youd go in the hole after one waves typically went all the way over you 

For me thats half the fun!!! If you dont get home soaked you did it wronge     

From my first spring dig, notice all I am wearing is jeans. The wife forgot her muck boots so I gave her my chest waders to wear and I went in street cloths. BRRRRRRRRR, Its always a good time though:

[JackOfAllTrades]

Have to figure out a light as my old Coleman rusted out on me from using it long ago.   

Last month I used my trusty huntin LED headlamp.  Hands free and so much better than keeping track of a lantern.
 
-Steve

[lokidog]

I've tried that, it just doesn't seem to show the dimples as well without the low shadowing.  My wife will be carrying the light and I'll be digging.   

[Gobble Doc]

I'll be trying tomorrow night.  Bring on the wind and surf!

[Lincoln4]

So...  How'd it go?

[lokidog]

Well, heading over tomorrow.  Got a nice coleman propane lantern from my daughter for Christmas.  Watch out clams, here we come!  Anyone down on the LB peninsula, drop a note, maybe we can share some stories.

[wackum]

Killed em at Mocrocks 

[Gobble Doc]

I had my razor clam chowder tonight.  Yum.  I won't be able to make the new year's dig.  Good luck everyone! 

[Swatson]

Tore it up at Grayland last night!  My boy and I had our limits and back to the fire in about 30 minutes!

[wackum]

Slayed em at Copalis 

[sled]

Tore it up at Grayland last night!  My boy and I had our limits and back to the fire in about 30 minutes!

Awsome!

[Gobble Doc]

Awesome job everyone.  I made my chowder a few nights ago.  I think it came out good.  I can't wait to try it again sometime. 

[MtnMuley]

Awesome job everyone.  I made my chowder a few nights ago.  I think it came out good.  I can't wait to try it again sometime.

Razors for chowder....should be punished!

[Kc_Kracker]

anyone still going tomorrow? thinkin about making the trip just to make the kids suffer and get cold n wet 

[lokidog]

Well, we limited last night in about 45 minutes for three of us.  Great shows, lots of choices and great weather.  Tonight's dig was a bit tougher.  They didn't show nearly as well, for everyone we talked to, abd the tide turned a bit early it seemed along with a lot of sneaker type waves that kept us up the beach.  So, no limit tonight, but had fun.  A bit cooler but no rain!  Woohoo.

Caught two red=tailed (I think) surf perch today and will get out earlier tomnorrow.

Happy New Year everyone!

[Boss .300 winmag]

Congrats ED ?

[lokidog]

Congrats ED ?

Is that a question or a statement?      Happy New Years!

[Boss .300 winmag]

Statement! Typo

[Holg3107]

Here are a few pics of our New Years clam/surf perch trip. Had a great time, my Dad and I spent three days perch fishing with some success. I think in the three days we fished we kept 25 and released an additional 15-20 as well as 3 large dungies (on our surf perch gear) and 2 small flounder. We would have kept the crabs but had no where to put them. The surf was tough for two of the three days and down right dangerous one of them. Razor clams are the ticket bait wise, had a bag of clam necks and they worked great! Used gulp sandworms on day 1 and were still successful the bite was just slower.

[lokidog]

So now we know what Death does on his day off... he goes fishing!   

That was a little more hardcore than my surf fishing, although my wader zipper broke (fourth time using it    ) and I was open from the waist up.

I got two, which I was happy with having never done this before.  Lost one and missed a bite as well the first day and just had one bite that I missed on the second day.