Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: highmuley on April 15, 2015, 10:03:27 AM

Title: hardshell clamming
Post by: highmuley on April 15, 2015, 10:03:27 AM: Good morning all,

The woman and I are looking to collect some hardshell clams but are unsure on where. We regularly razor clam in grayland. I know willapa bay offers some opportunity. Any advice on beaches and techniques would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance folks.
Title: Re: hardshell clamming
Post by: lokidog on April 15, 2015, 10:39:32 AM: Many moons ago, and a decade or so added in, I dug steamers with some friends somewhere off HWY 105 on the north end of Willapa Bay. Sorry I can't be more helpful than that. As the tide goes out, watch for little siphon sprays and dig/rake there. Or, just look for siphon holes, they are quite small for steamers. Once you find a patch, dig parallel to the water. From my experience, the Manilas are not deeper than 6 inches, but others might have different ideas on that. Remember to bring a gauge as there is a minimum size on them.
Title: Re: hardshell clamming
Post by: Carp Commander on April 15, 2015, 11:35:52 AM: Willapa Bay is one of my favorites. Follow the link below for directions. No shovel needed just a good rake and not a leaf rake. Make sure and double check for health department closures. At Willapa you do not need a minus tide just be there about two hours before low tide and follow it out. You will be surprised how quickly you get limits. Concentrate around patches of smaller gravel. I will be over there in May so let me know how you do.

Nemah is my favorite spot.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/beaches/MapArea/14/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/beaches/MapArea/14/)

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/beaches/2015WDFWBeachSeasonsBarChart.pdf (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/beaches/2015WDFWBeachSeasonsBarChart.pdf)
Title: Re: hardshell clamming
Post by: Buckmark on April 15, 2015, 11:48:03 AM: Dosewallips st park, easy drive from bonney lake, and you can get oysters also..
Title: Re: hardshell clamming
Post by: WSU on April 15, 2015, 12:05:36 PM: Look at WDFW's website and the list of beaches. I've found the information to be very useful. You should be able to find something a lot closer than Willapa.
Title: Re: hardshell clamming
Post by: Fastass350 on April 15, 2015, 12:17:23 PM: Yep, Nemah is my favorite spot too. PM me I can lead you to the spot I go. Little bit of a brushy rd that I go so don't take anything too fancy ;)
Title: Re: hardshell clamming
Post by: highmuley on April 15, 2015, 09:22:43 PM: Thank you all for the info...its right along the lines of my thoughts.... Thank you again for the input....I sincerely appreciate it..
Title: Re: hardshell clamming
Post by: bearhunter99 on April 01, 2025, 09:22:12 PM: Resurrecting a dead thread - sorry but I couldn’t find any other threads.

Family is staying in Long Beach this week and have done great on Razors but would like to get some steamers too…. Never have clammed for hard shell clams and it looks like there are beaches open currently on the other side of Willapa Bay but we have no idea what we are doing or what equipment we need…. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

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Title: Re: hardshell clamming
Post by: CastleRocker on April 02, 2025, 06:21:36 AM: Quote from: WSU on April 15, 2015, 12:05:36 PM
Look at WDFW's website and the list of beaches. I've found the information to be very useful. You should be able to find something a lot closer than Willapa.

Sounds like the same road we go down. My kids named it "The Angry Road" when they were little. Like you said; don't take a nice rig down it.
Title: Re: hardshell clamming
Post by: pd on April 02, 2025, 10:57:21 AM: Wow. Ten years since the last post. This forum is a gold mine!

Good luck. Razors are also available right now.
Title: Re: hardshell clamming
Post by: bearhunter99 on April 02, 2025, 01:40:57 PM: Yeah, we got five limits yesterday another 5 today. Headed out tomorrow for razors again. Just saw something about steamers and that Willapa was open. Looked around on this site and this was the only thread I could find but the links above are dead. Just trying to find something else for the family to do.
Title: Re: hardshell clamming
Post by: metlhead on April 02, 2025, 02:20:21 PM: Hawkes Pt. east of Tokeland is very easy for steamers. No need for a rake. About a hundred yards out we just shuffle around barefoot. Easy to feel em. Takes 15min. Daughter figrd that out years ago while I was sweating the rake.