long beach clamming. need advice

[scottcrb]

heading out to long beach in a week with the girlfriend and we were thinking about trying out some razor clamming but neither of us have ever done it. heard it was still open but not positive and haven't looked at the regs yet. anyone know of a descent place to clam around there and whats the best way of doing it. thanks

[smdave]

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/current.html

Here is a start

[scottcrb]

thanks smdave looks like it will be open for clamming and a decent low tide.

[kisfish]

pm sent

[Bullkllr]

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/current.html

Here is a start

I think you would find the "How to dig razor clams" tab on the link that smdave sent helpful. I'm sure there's videos on youtube, etc.

Razors aren't like other clams. They will dig/descend fairly rapidly, so you have to dig quickly. One of the hardest things for a beginner is the digging technique to avoid breaking the shells, which are fairly fragile. Broken shells makes the clams much harder to clean and cook. And you have to keep every clam you break, even if you only end up with half a clam or less.

[smdave]

License Requirements
 A Shellfish/Seaweed License is required for harvesting razor clams and must be in the harvester's immediate possession and available for inspection during harvest and transport. Everyone claiming a limit must actively participate in the harvesting process, unless they possess a disability permit.

Clam guns or shovel works, I have dug them by hand not the easiest way to go.

Remember to keep your clams in seperate containers for each person digging.

[Carl]

Hey Scottcrb,

There's a chance I'll be there next weekend. If we're in the same area, I'll be glad to show you what I know. It's very easy and only takes a few minutes to get the hang of spotting them.

Carl

[timberhunter]

just follow the other 100's of vehicles honestly, it will be hard to get away from ppl. dont worry about getting away from the ppl to get your clams there will be plenty of clams to dig your limit. i would strongly suggest a clam gun over a shovel, warm clothes, and rubber boots or waders. we just went last weekend and it was great! we all had our limits pretty quick and they were the best clams i have ever eaten! if you have any of questions pm me and i will help ya out.

[scottcrb]

So I'm here and I got my buckets clam guns and all .but long beach is big and I'm not sure where to start. Is any part of the beach good? North end or south end better? How close to the water should I be ?

[dreamunelk]

Just go where the people are.  With this weather the clams may not show well.  what I do when this happens is wait for an area that has been dug to open up.  Then go over and look for shows.  Often the foot prints, clam gun sucking, or just the disturbance will cause clams to show.  Look in the foot prints.

[Encore 280]

Head north up the beach past Ocean Park til ya come a lighthouse looking thing and dig there. You can't dig after noon. Just go where all the people are, there's plenty of clams for everyone. Just walk around a watch what everyone else is doing. When ya find a hole put your back towards the dunes. After ya get all yer clams cut the about a half inch of the neck off and try for some surf perch.

[Gobble Doc]

I agree that it is best to dig where there are other people.  When we first started we went to some places where there weren't many other people and it turned out we couldn't find any clams.  Then looked for a stretch with a bunch of diggers and we were into clams.  It is a lot of fun.  We did great at long beach. 

[scottcrb]

thanks for all the help guys . ended up being pretty easy got our two person limit in less than an hour on sat and just shy of a two person limit on Sunday . had a great time doing it too. thanks again for the tips and info.

[TONTO]

 Now for the real fun of cleaning those suckers, I do love digging and eating em though

[trophyhunt]

License Requirements
 A Shellfish/Seaweed License is required for harvesting razor clams and must be in the harvester's immediate possession and available for inspection during harvest and transport. Everyone claiming a limit must actively participate in the harvesting process, unless they possess a disability permit.

Clam guns or shovel works, I have dug them by hand not the easiest way to go.

Remember to keep your clams in seperate containers for each person digging.

You do not need a shellfish/seaweed license IF you have a combination fishing license! I made the mistake of buying my clam license for years before I figured out you don't need it if you have your combo fish. Nice job on those clams, the broken one's must be on the bottom

[scottcrb]

License Requirements
 A Shellfish/Seaweed License is required for harvesting razor clams and must be in the harvester's immediate possession and available for inspection during harvest and transport. Everyone claiming a limit must actively participate in the harvesting process, unless they possess a disability permit.

Clam guns or shovel works, I have dug them by hand not the easiest way to go.

Remember to keep your clams in seperate containers for each person digging.

You do not need a shellfish/seaweed license IF you have a combination fishing license! I made the mistake of buying my clam license for years before I figured out you don't need it if you have your combo fish. Nice job on those clams, the broken one's must be on the bottom

they were but we only broke a few mostly on sat learning, yeah i spent the aftenoon cleaning and eating them yesterday the rest are going in the freezer for chowder, they were tasty though.

[smdave]

License Requirements
 A Shellfish/Seaweed License is required for harvesting razor clams and must be in the harvester's immediate possession and available for inspection during harvest and transport. Everyone claiming a limit must actively participate in the harvesting process, unless they possess a disability permit.

Clam guns or shovel works, I have dug them by hand not the easiest way to go.

Remember to keep your clams in seperate containers for each person digging.

You do not need a shellfish/seaweed license IF you have a combination fishing license! I made the mistake of buying my clam license for years before I figured out you don't need it if you have your combo fish. Nice job on those clams, the broken one's must be on the bottom

You are correct,

From WDFW
A shellfish license is required to take anything classified under state shellfish regulations, including sea cucumbers, seaweed, and even squid.

The combo License you are talking about says.

Annual Combo Fishing/Shellfish

It includes Shellfish