Razor Clam night dig lighting options?

[Stein]

Yeah, depends on if it's a really low tide or marginal.  It's safe an hour ahead for sure and I can usually get my limits at least an hour after when I show up late.

[KP-Skagit]

If I recall the tides in this first opening are not great so you will have a shorter window. 1 hours early is probably fine. With the clamming closed for so long it will probably be hot and heavy.

I used a Coleman the first couple times but was digging solo and a sneaker wave got it. If you do go with a gas lantern make sure you keep the glass out of the waves. It shatters instantly if a lot of water hits it.

[253shotgunner]

I am definitely going even tho it's a zero dark thirty low tide. Interested to see if it will be crowded at 0430.

[Stein]

I am definitely going even tho it's a zero dark thirty low tide. Interested to see if it will be crowded at 0430.

My money is on yes.   

[CastleRocker]

Coleman North Star will give the best results when they aren't showing well.  If the clams are showing...any old headlamp will work.  The problem with headlamps that I've seen, is sometimes you need that little bit of side-light, or shadow to see them well...especially in the surf.

If you are using one of the newer propane lanterns, make sure you drill a few holes in the flange of the base.  If you don't,  you will set it down, dig your clam, pick it back up, and the base will suction to the wet sand, and pull off.  Next wave comes, and now you need a new base for your new Northstar lantern.  Or worse yet, you catch a glimpse of the base, go splashing after it, and a little bit of water hits the globe of your lantern...now you need one of those too!

I saw a guy a few years ago that had THE best lighting setup I've seen.  It was a handtruck with pneumatic tires, a full sized battery, and at least a dozen led flood lights mounted all around it.  We stayed about 30-50 yards away from him, and dug our limits without turning on a light.  It was an amazing sight.  If I had the money he had wrapped up it that set-up...I'd just go buy clams!

[PsoasHunter]

+1 more vote for gas lantern with a headlamp.  When we go with friends that just have LED headlamps, even really bright ones, they still end up crowding near the lantern.  Either the color of the light or the angle seems to make it much easier to spot the shows.