When we were young and dumb, we use to use a clam shovel. Or any shovel if we forgot the clam shovel. If you can pinch the neck in the squirt hole. They can't dig as fast as normal.
Then your partner would just dig like crazy.
We actually go very good it.
I have not tried it in 25 years though. I do know three will make the best Geoduck casserole you have ever tasted.