hardshell clamming

[highmuley]

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.

[lokidog]

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.

[Carp Commander]

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/2015WDFWBeachSeasonsBarChart.pdf

[Buckmark]

Dosewallips st park, easy drive from bonney lake, and you can get oysters also.. 

[WSU]

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.

[Fastass350]

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 

[highmuley]

Thank you all for the info...its right along the lines of my thoughts.... Thank you again for the input....I sincerely appreciate it.. 

[bearhunter99]

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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[CastleRocker]

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. 

[pd]

Wow.  Ten years since the last post.  This forum is a gold mine!

Good luck.  Razors are also available right now.

[bearhunter99]

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.

[metlhead]

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.