Razor clam digging

[steeleywhopper]

I am going to be taking the family over to the coast for some Razor Clam digging and some perch fishing this winter and I was wondering if anyone has any input on the vented clam tubes for digging Razors? I would like to pick up a couple for the family so if anyone has any ideas on what has worked for them and where to purchase I'd be greatly appreciative. Heck if you have a couple you'd like to part with shoot me a PM.

[Smossy]

Just get the largest ones you can afford. Stick with PVC style. Just gives you a better chance of not destroying the clams. Pretty easy.

[HntnFsh]

The vented ones do work a little better. Clamhawks are generally regarded as the best but they are about $125 There used to be a guy that parked by the Green Lantern north of Ocean shores that sold a good aluminum gun. Still pushing a $100. I bought 1 and like it. The tube is oval instead of round. The anodized aluminum ones you can get for about $59 are a good light gun. I bought one for my wife and like it almost better than my custom one. But it isn't vented. Its just lighter to carry and works well. Don't care for the pvc ones. Harder to push in, which sucks when the sand is packed hard. 5" tubes are nice. Little more room for error.

[Magnum_Willys]

5” aluminum.  Pvc harder to push in . 

[trophyhunt]

yup 5'' alum, remember to face the ocean and just slightly tilt the gun towards you with the dimple in the center of the gun, slightly tilt.   This will help from breaking the clams, pet peeve of mine.    You can start seeing clam dimples about 2 hours before low tide, but it does get better the closer to low tide time.  Another fun thing to do with the family, grab a salmon rod with a casting reel, 50lb test line and a cast-able crab trap.  You can get crabs right off the pier in westport, use chicken legs for bait.

[Dhoey07]

If you start to hear a crunch, stop pushing down, pull the sand and carefully stuff your hand in the hole and pick the clam out.  Don't just crunch and leave it.

[Bullkllr]

Anyone else still use a shovel?
I tried a gun a few times- just feel like I have way more control with a shovel. Of course it has to be the right shovel. We have 3 old ones with the perfect shape to the blade for lifting sand out; much better than the straight ones you typically see for sale.

[opdinkslayer]

Yup always have “dug” my clams & it’s way more fun imo. As far as the guns go the 5” are the way to go & the $100+ ones work better & make far less work for the user from what I’ve seen. Hope the weather & ocean cooperate for the big low tides coming up.👍🏻

[ASHQUACK]

Due to a shoulder injury this year I bought a Clamhawg, Best razor clam investment I've made. I normally use a shovel but this thing is the bomb. PVC handle and stainless tube makes digging stupid easy.

[JKEEN33]

The vented ones do work a little better. Clamhawks are generally regarded as the best but they are about $125 There used to be a guy that parked by the Green Lantern north of Ocean shores that sold a good aluminum gun. Still pushing a $100. I bought 1 and like it. The tube is oval instead of round. The anodized aluminum ones you can get for about $59 are a good light gun. I bought one for my wife and like it almost better than my custom one. But it isn't vented. Its just lighter to carry and works well. Don't care for the pvc ones. Harder to push in, which sucks when the sand is packed hard. 5" tubes are nice. Little more room for error.

I dug with a shovel for 40+ years. Tried several guns and didn’t like them. Friend bought one of the aluminum guns from the guy at the green lantern. I tried it and went back and bought myself one. If you know how to judge clam sizes by the show, you can still avoid getting small clams most of the time. I made a stick for thumping out of an old broom handle and tie it to my hip with a length of rope so I can drop it without losing it. Still have the 40 year old shovel, but don’t use it any more. He is still selling these, but you need to show up early. He told me he usually sells out. He also says if you have any problems with it he will swap it out for a new one barring any obvious abuse.

[Moe the Sleaze]

If you wanted a vented gun, you used to have to hold out for Clam Hawgs or custom models.  But happy to say, they are now selling the anodized aluminum guns WITH VENTS.  I saw them at Sportco in Fife.  If I recall correctly, they were about $60.

[steeleywhopper]

I have only been able to get clams with a tube, I have yet to get any with the shovel. I will wait and see if there are any vented tubes at the Sportsman show, a old car accident injury has my back all jacked up and the last time I dug it sucked. Hopefully the vented tubes will help. Thanks for all the info guys.

[Smossy]

You aluminum city folk 🤣🤣 so simple minded. PVC is where its at.

[Smossy]

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?>
<rss version="0.92" xml:lang="en-US">
   <channel>
      <title>Hunting Washington Forum</title>
      <link>https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Live information from Hunting Washington Forum]]></description>
      <item>
         <title>Re: Razor clam digging</title>
         <link>https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,235392.msg3143523.html#msg3143523</link>
         <description><![CDATA[You aluminum city folk 🤣🤣 so simple minded. PVC is where its at.]]></description>
         <author>sthomasmessick@gmail.com</author>
         <category><![CDATA[Fishing]]></category>
         <comments>https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=post;topic=235392.0</comments>
         <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2019 07:15:21 GMT</pubDate>
         <guid>https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,235392.msg3143523.html#msg3143523</guid>
      </item>
      <item>
         <title>Re: 2018/19 Scoreboard</title>
         <link>https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,233347.msg3143522.html#msg3143522</link>
         <description>
<![CDATA[18 Beaver
1 Rabbit
1 Coon
2 Cats
2 Rats]]>
         </description>
         <category><![CDATA[Trapping]]></category>
         <comments>https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=post;topic=233347.0</comments>
         <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2019 07:09:30 GMT</pubDate>
         <guid>https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,233347.msg3143522.html#msg3143522</guid>
      </item>
      <item>
         <title>Re: the Methow is even worse off than I thought</title>
         <link>https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,235245.msg3143521.html#msg3143521</link>
         <description>
<![CDATA[<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote from: hunter399 on <strong>Today</strong> at 12:44:17</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">
I'm not sure which state you live in but no hound hunting,no foothold trap or body gripping traps already are rules in this state.

Let managers manage ,is gonna become a slippery slope in years to come .when OTC tags are gone and hunting in this state becomes very limited.

Hunters that live in a gmu can see a lot more of what's happening to our wildlife than a game commission that never leaves the office.When people lie on there hunting reports about harvest,how many days hunting etc. It hurts the rules setting process.Biologists lie about game counts can hurt rule setting.There is a lot factors that go into rule setting .All I'm saying is that hunters live in that area should be listened too a lot more.It pretty obvious that some of the systems we have in place now are not working with less game every year and hunters that are spending there money in other states.Your suggestion of let managers manage Sitka is not working plain and simple,what looks good on paper doesn't always look good out in the woods.

I do leave my comments every year when rule changes come up.It really does no good .Regs are alway set with how many tags can we sell ,without conservation in mind.
<div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>
That's what I'm getting at Hunter 399. Management shouldn't be decided on people's feelings. Neither voters or hunters should be deciding what season there should be or what legal hunting methods should be used.&nbsp; Management should be based on what is best for the herds and the habitat and should be done with the best science available. Just because some Yuppie in Seattle thinks hounds shouldn't be allowed to hunt predators or just because some hunters think they don't get enough opportunity, is no reason to let either of them decide what hunting regulations should be.&nbsp; Leave it to the professionals. (I'm talking the biologists)&nbsp; They know a lot more than they ever get credit for. ]]>
         </description>
         <category><![CDATA[Deer Hunting]]></category>
         <comments>https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=post;topic=235245.0</comments>
         <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2019 07:05:57 GMT</pubDate>
         <guid>https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,235245.msg3143521.html#msg3143521</guid>
      </item>
      <item>
         <title>Re: elk pooped on my trail cam</title>
         <link>https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,235434.msg3143520.html#msg3143520</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Standing triumphantly over vanquished camera.....]]></description>
         <category><![CDATA[Trail Cameras]]></category>
         <comments>https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=post;topic=235434.0</comments>
         <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2019 07:04:12 GMT</pubDate>
         <guid>https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,235434.msg3143520.html#msg3143520</guid>
      </item>
      <item>
         <title>Re: elk pooped on my trail cam</title>
         <link>https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,235434.msg3143519.html#msg3143519</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Feeling the urge......]]></description>
         <category><![CDATA[Trail Cameras]]></category>
         <comments>https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=post;topic=235434.0</comments>
         <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2019 07:03:06 GMT</pubDate>
         <guid>https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,235434.msg3143519.html#msg3143519</guid>
      </item>
   </channel>
</rss>

[Smossy]

Stupit html txt codes. One digit wrong and everythings haywire.
Thank God I dont write this *censored* anymore. So tireed of looking through source codes and ip's 😎😎 Never again. Ill pretend I dont know how to turn the computer on

[Stein]

The Clamhawk is awesome but pricey.  We have one of the more inexpensive aluminum vented but haven't tried it out.  If you try a pvc and then an aluminum or steel tube, you will wonder how the pvc ones even sell.

The guns are very quick, we share 1 gun with our family of four and bang out limits before anyone gets bored.

[Smossy]

The Clamhawk is awesome but pricey.  We have one of the more inexpensive aluminum vented but haven't tried it out.  If you try a pvc and then an aluminum or steel tube, you will wonder how the pvc ones even sell.

The guns are very quick, we share 1 gun with our family of four and bang out limits before anyone gets bored.

Na, Ive had steel, aluminum, pvc. I prefer PVC over everything. I dont see whats to love about an aluminum tube. Its heavier, Clunkier, Needs to be rinsed (not really, but should) Pfft my PVC I can make repairs on the spot with a plastic welder, Keep the edges sharp so they glide through sand like its not there..

So lighter, easier to fix, easier to pull out, inexpensive.. Aluminim still isnt making sense to me.
Maybe if you and your friend want to have a light saber fight after you dig maybe??

But then again guess anyone could argue, Still seeing people use shovels. You guys are funny. My back just puts on sunglasses and sits back while yall get dirty dig 3 foot holes. lol

[Bullkllr]

Shovels are more sporting, and it makes me feel more "at one with the clams" 

[Bigshooter]

I've had and tried them all.  Clamhawk #1 PVC would be last. 

[fowl smacker]

I like the pvc guns as well.  Had the same 3 for probably 20 years.  Easy to re sharpen and I think I paid a total of $25 for all of them.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

The guns are very quick, we share 1 gun with our family of four and bang out limits before anyone gets bored.

But then again guess anyone could argue, Still seeing people use shovels. You guys are funny. My back just puts on sunglasses and sits back while yall get dirty dig 3 foot holes. lol

Guns are OK for getting 15 clams a whack.  But you will never see a commercial digger using a gun. Shovels only, as it's faster,  easier, easier on your back, and way easier to go fast and not damage the clams.  There is a reason the guys who dig for volume use shovels. 

[JimmyHoffa]

I'm a shoveler.  I think they work great.  One quick stab followed by a push and the clam is at your feet.

[j_h_nimrod]

I have a pile of guns, currently:
5 PVC
2 Aluminum
2 Stainless
1 steel

Also a couple of shovels

Stainless guns by far are the best material, followed by aluminum, then PVC, and lastly steel. I rate this by the force required to push it in the sand, other metrics are all design dependent and would require a much more thorough review.

The PVC take significantly more force to use and the ones I have had become brittle over time and break easily. The stainless ones are easy to push in and can be sunk to the handle with little effort. The aluminum are a bit more difficult than the SS but easier than PVC. The regular steel are good initially, but once they rust a little inside the tube they are miserable to use.

Stainless clam hawks with the vent are the best IMO, except the vent is in the wrong location.

Shovels - I like them every now and then for something different. Very effective if you know how to use them. You don’t see commercial diggers with guns if that tells you anything.

[3uPh0riK]

Went Clamming the other day (for the first time) at Twin Harbors and we were pretty much alone on the beach. I kinda expected to see a bunch of other clammers i could learn from. Didnt find a single clam. Watched the youtube videos that showed the "tells", but didnt see any of that.

Was also not sure how close to the surf to actually look for them, but regardless, found nothing

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Was also not sure how close to the surf to actually look for them, but regardless, found nothing

I like to walk the edge of an outgoing tide, watch the waves smooth the sand.
3 hours before low tide, keep walking the edge until you find one, limited and off the beach in next half hour.

[Stein]

Went Clamming the other day (for the first time) at Twin Harbors and we were pretty much alone on the beach. I kinda expected to see a bunch of other clammers i could learn from. Didnt find a single clam. Watched the youtube videos that showed the "tells", but didnt see any of that.

Was also not sure how close to the surf to actually look for them, but regardless, found nothing

If you were alone, you were doing it wrong.  Drive back into town and find the parade to the beach.  Follow them and pretty much mingle into the mob and you will find clams.

This literally is the one time where you just go where everyone else is.  It couldn't be simpler once you get that part.

I did the same thing, was too far north and digging around in gravely beach and didn't find anything.  It is incredible how many clams there are and how dense it is, you can go right into the middle of 10,000 people and get your 15.

Closer to the water is better, but you can get them up.  You will see where others have dug, focus on areas like that.  Once you get good, you can get your 15 in the space of a living room.

[crazywednesday]

Im sure you already went out and bought what you needed, but here is my worthless advice. Buy one of the vented tubes (5") but not the clamhawk/hawg. They are both good guns, but you can get the much cheaper knock off versions at sportco/sportsmans warehouse. The vented versions are becoming the new standard.

[HntnFsh]

A lot just depends on the day, weather, surf etc. Sometimes they just don't show. Sometimes only for a short part of the tide. Sometimes they are in the surf, sometimes they are on the edge of the surf, sometimes they are a long ways from the surf. Clams are like elk, they are where you find them. Ive seen people walk by clams looking for clams too many times. Sometimes its crazy good like Sunday was at Grayland. Plus it was sunny, calm and warm. Clams everywhere. Every kind of show you could imagine. Usually when you pull a clam with a gun you will see a couple more show. Sunday we were seeing a half dozen or more show as soon as we started pushing the gun in! At times our guns were only a couple inches apart when we were after clams.

[The Marquis]

I went out for my first time on Sunday.  I got my limit in about an hour and a half at Long Beach.  They weren't particularly large though, some, but not all... some very small.  I went went where the people were.  It's funny, you can walk right past where somebody was already looking and get several as if they never showed themselves to them.  It's the strangest thing.  Highly enjoyable.

[WSU]

Sunday was stupid easy for me.  I had little kids and we got 48 in probably twenty minutes.  We stopped without careful counting (could have in theory kept 75) because 48 is plenty to eat and more than I wanted to clean.  I could have got hundreds.  Kids are the best part of the whole deal!

I find that an hour or so before low tide is good, and start digging down where the waves stop washing up the beach.  As HntnFsh said, sometimes you can get plenty further up and sometimes you need to be in the surf.  But 95% of the time, I get easy limits wearing normal rubber boots and staying completely out of the water. 

[3uPh0riK]

Will definitely go try again, but we were there (at twin harbors) for hours without any luck 

[j_h_nimrod]

As said earlier, if there are no people there are likely no clams. I don’t really like people, but generally find more clams if I follow the parade.

I like getting in the edge of the surf and “sandpipering”, chasing the surf up and down. I would likely do just as well in one spot, but I like moving!  I use waders during digging and don’t worry about the surf, it is nice!

[Bullkllr]

Went Clamming the other day (for the first time) at Twin Harbors and we were pretty much alone on the beach. I kinda expected to see a bunch of other clammers i could learn from. Didnt find a single clam. Watched the youtube videos that showed the "tells", but didnt see any of that.

Was also not sure how close to the surf to actually look for them, but regardless, found nothing

I would go a step farther and say if you were at Twin Harbors and were pretty much alone you were either there on a day it was not open or you were there on the wrong tide.
If it were open, and you were there anywhere around low tide, there would be vehicles and clammers all over the place from the south jetty to Tokeland.

[blackpowderhunter]

Went Clamming the other day (for the first time) at Twin Harbors and we were pretty much alone on the beach. I kinda expected to see a bunch of other clammers i could learn from. Didnt find a single clam. Watched the youtube videos that showed the "tells", but didnt see any of that.

Was also not sure how close to the surf to actually look for them, but regardless, found nothing

I would go a step farther and say if you were at Twin Harbors and were pretty much alone you were either there on a day it was not open or you were there on the wrong tide.
If it were open, and you were there anywhere around low tide, there would be vehicles and clammers all over the place from the south jetty to Tokeland.

agreed..i've never been out clamming and been alone.
what day were you out and what time vs the tide were you there?  the beaches will be empty until that hour or 2 up to low tide, then everyone shows up.

[The Marquis]

Seems like people start actually clamming about 2.5 hours before, but the big parade doesn't start until 2 hours before the lowest tide.

[Moe the Sleaze]

I've been digging for 40 years.  One of the things I have discovered is that you can actually start digging TOO EARLY.  The state recommends 2 hours before low tide.  I've come to consider 1.5 hrs before low a better choice.  If you start 2, 2.5, or 3 hours early, what happens a lot is you get demoralized because the clams just aren't showing yet. This leads to impatience, a feeling of wanting to move somewhere else, lots of very tiring "false" digs, and just general floundering about.  In winter, all the while becoming cold, wet, and miserable.  Few are the people who can hang out 3 hours until the low.  People give up just when they should be paying attention.

If clams are there, and are going to show, then 1.5 hrs should be plenty.  As far as "moving to a better spot", I've developed a protocol that seems to work.  If you are within the 1.5 hr window, and you don't get any clams within a half-hour, move 1/2 mile down the beach.  This should allow two moves before the tide begins to come back in.  Remember, there is an approximately 20-minute slack at low.

[HntnFsh]

 That can be pretty true. I enjoy getting down to the surf and wandering around. The weather doesn't bother me so a lot of times I'll be 2.5 to 3 hrs. before low tide. Sunday before last we had our very easy limits and headed down the hiway 2.5 hrs. before low tide!

[doyourtime89]

Did anyone get out to or know anyone that went to Kalaloch this past dig when they opened it up and if so, how was it?  How big were they? 

[j_h_nimrod]

Did anyone get out to or know anyone that went to Kalaloch this past dig when they opened it up and if so, how was it?  How big were they?

  Kalaloch clamming

Does that sum it up?  I only went one day and strictly basing it on clams it was one of the worst days ever. I think I saw the biggest haul at 3 and heard of a possible 5. Size was 3-4” tops. Day was great otherwise

[The Marquis]

Did anyone get out to or know anyone that went to Kalaloch this past dig when they opened it up and if so, how was it?  How big were they?

  Kalaloch clamming

Does that sum it up?  I only went one day and strictly basing it on clams it was one of the worst days ever. I think I saw the biggest haul at 3 and heard of a possible 5. Size was 3-4” tops. Day was great otherwise

Yikes!  Is that typical of that beach?  It's too far of a drive to ever be on my radar, but I don't often see it open.  Seems like it'd be a good beach for Razor's, but 3-5?  Yikes. 

[JimmyHoffa]

Did anyone get out to or know anyone that went to Kalaloch this past dig when they opened it up and if so, how was it?  How big were they?

  Kalaloch clamming

Does that sum it up?  I only went one day and strictly basing it on clams it was one of the worst days ever. I think I saw the biggest haul at 3 and heard of a possible 5. Size was 3-4” tops. Day was great otherwise

Yikes!  Is that typical of that beach?  It's too far of a drive to ever be on my radar, but I don't often see it open.  Seems like it'd be a good beach for Razor's, but 3-5?  Yikes.

It used to be pretty good.  If you got there right about the tide shift, then you could get your limits pretty quick--20 minutes or so for big clams.  I went right before it was closed down and the beach was getting absolutely hammered.  There were lots of brush pickers being set out and they were digging trenches pretty much the length of the beach.  Most were using regular spade shovels and digging, then sorting the sand for their clams.  The season after that the park claimed something caused a big crash, but didn't elaborate.  A couple years later the park said they had unusually high numbers of clams, but they were all tiny (less than an inch). Then was a test fishery follwed by closure because too few of decent size.

[opdinkslayer]

Here’s a first hand report on the kalaloch dig in mid February. Me & my son both dug Saturday & Sunday getting our limits both days & he added a 3rd limit on Monday but I couldn’t make it. I never saw anybody else limit & most had 0-8 clams. Clams were mostly 3 3/4” to 4 1/4”. I never dug a single clam that was close to an avg clam on the southern beaches on a good day.

There was way too much surf even tho there were really good minus tides which are a must at kalaloch. We are shovel guys & pounded hard to find shows in which many disappeared quick or were questionable at all. This is why I believe we were a rare bird leaving with limits. 90% of people were packing guns & unless you had something to pound with, good luck. I really see no reason to open kalaloch in its current state. It’s nice to drive 35 miles & dig but I think I’ll make the trek to Moclips if I’m hungry for razors going forward.

[j_h_nimrod]

Here’s a first hand report on the kalaloch dig in mid February. Me & my son both dug Saturday & Sunday getting our limits both days & he added a 3rd limit on Monday but I couldn’t make it. I never saw anybody else limit & most had 0-8 clams. Clams were mostly 3 3/4” to 4 1/4”. I never dug a single clam that was close to an avg clam on the southern beaches on a good day.

There was way too much surf even tho there were really good minus tides which are a must at kalaloch. We are shovel guys & pounded hard to find shows in which many disappeared quick or were questionable at all. This is why I believe we were a rare bird leaving with limits. 90% of people were packing guns & unless you had something to pound with, good luck. I really see no reason to open kalaloch in its current state. It’s nice to drive 35 miles & dig but I think I’ll make the trek to Moclips if I’m hungry for razors going forward.

I will agree!  You did much better than anybody else I saw digging. We started a solid 2 hours before the low at the north campground. After searching n watching for 30 minutes I decided to just scout and headed to the far north end of the beach. I ran into the game cops and talked with them for a few minutes, they had checked a guy with 5 on the north end of the beach I said that was the max they saw (Saturday).  If I had hunted hard without the kids I could have likely limited, but size was small and it was too hard to make it worthwhile when I still have plenty in the freezer.