What is the best way to dig soft shell clams?

[Special T]

I found a spot with soft shell cams. I took my kids out to dig some. boy did i make a mess of it. We sure broke a lot of shells. I think part of it was the fact that i used a normal shovel. all my clam digging experience has been for other species in the N Puget sound and I don't have a lot of experience with these.

Additionally what is you favorite recipe? I mostly prefer not complicated ones that have ingredients that are multi use and or store well in the camper.

Soft shell seem to lay flat with the ground unlike the others i have dug. The ones we found were right at the sand/mud layer about 3/4 of a shovel depth. I got better about not breaking shells the more we dug, but im curious if i should bring a small rake, use a clam gun, and/or go with a small traditional clam type shovel.

[Humptulips]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=151&v=iYVQR3hpRVw&feature=emb_logo

[KP-Skagit]

We always found them in the sand and I would just dig them by hand. I think a clam gun could work also, you would break some but miss others.

The place I used to get them was overrun with them. A hole about a foot or two across would give you a limit. But the DOH shut it down.

We always just steamed them up, washed them and dipped in butter. You have to peel the "skin" off the neck which is typically sandy.

[throwingsticks]

I found a spot with soft shell cams. I took my kids out to dig some. boy did i make a mess of it. We sure broke a lot of shells. I think part of it was the fact that i used a normal shovel. all my clam digging experience has been for other species in the N Puget sound and I don't have a lot of experience with these.

Additionally what is you favorite recipe? I mostly prefer not complicated ones that have ingredients that are multi use and or store well in the camper.

Soft shell seem to lay flat with the ground unlike the others i have dug. The ones we found were right at the sand/mud layer about 3/4 of a shovel depth. I got better about not breaking shells the more we dug, but im curious if i should bring a small rake, use a clam gun, and/or go with a small traditional clam type shovel.

I have never messed with them, but I know the east coast folks love them. Try a small 3-4 tine rake with a long handle. Also check https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/biotoxin/biotoxin.html
red tides have been bad this year and with the covid closure I missed the spring dig before red tides start

[CoryTDF]

With a shovel?

[Special T]

With a shovel?

Always a comedian in the group!

[Brotherman]

Carefully 

[DOUBLELUNG]

Sorry