Free: Contests & Raffles.
If you do the hot water trick, have a bucket of ice water or really cold water close by and soak 'em in the ice water for a couple minutes, stops the cook'n process. Keep the necks for the surf perch.
There is a guy that sits on the corner by the Green lantern tavern/pub whatever they call it these days. He's usually there a few hours before low tide he makes and sells extremely nice clam guns and those lantern stands. Not cheap but he says if you ever have an issue with them he would take care of you. He's a really nice guy. Btw I used to use a shovel also but I bought a gun from him that actually fits me I'm 6 foot 3 and most guns kill my back. But his work great I dug my limit in about 15 mins at the last tide two nights in a row not a single back pain!
I've never used hot water, still don't understand the need as I have never had any problem slipping my filet knife into one. Seems like an extra step and if using a propane cooker, lots more gear to haul around.