Sandy Hook Bay Clammers

[Gerry Zagorski]

Documentary on Sandy Hook Bay Commercial Clammers https://vimeo.com/ondemand/rakeclamdigger

[RAMMFISH66]

I see them whenever I fish Atlantic Highlands party boats..neat..thank you Gerry

[saltfisherman]

Those guys are great. Years ago while living in NJ and out one day in the bay while in a kayak. The guys told me, have you seen the weather coming in, I responded yes. They told me if I needed a ride in let them know. I had launched from union beach and was close to the hook.

[Gerry Zagorski]

One of the guys in the trailer who mentioned no one dead or
alive caught more clams then him is Patrick and he keeps his boat right behind me in Leonardo. I really enjoy talking with him, he’s hard working but fun loving and as you might image he has some great stories.

[Rocky]

When I am out there fishing and see those guys working those rakes it makes me cringe because I know it is hard work. Thanks for sharing.

[Detour66]

I see them out there all the time in the hot sun working hard. It looks like back breaking work. The last of a breed and a throw-back to a time gone by! For those about to "rake clams" I salute you!

[LotsobitesBB]

Can you buy directly from these guys or do I have to buy local clams from Wegmans? Would love to support them directly in a heart beat.

[Ry609]

One of the guys in the trailer who mentioned no one dead or
alive caught more clams then him is Patrick and he keeps his boat right behind me in Leonardo. I really enjoy talking with him, he’s hard working but fun loving and as you might image he has some great stories.

I see that boat every time I launch the kayak at Guardian Park. Pretty cool stuff!

[Gerry Zagorski]

Can you buy directly from these guys or do I have to buy local clams from Wegmans? Would love to support them directly in a heart beat.

You can't buy direct from them, they belong to and sell through the Co Op.

An interesting article on the Lobster Co Ops which work the same way. https://mlcalliance.org/2009/09/07/maines-lobster-cooperatives-a-history/

They are basically put in place to act as the middle man between the fishermen and the buyers which helps to set and stabilize prices...

[bunker dunker]

years ago when we could fish for flounder i made friends with a clammer who did quite a bit in the navasink.i would anchor down tide from him.it was like fishing in a constant chum slick.just watching him work made me tired.

[Capt. Debbie]

Not sure how that would work? Wouldn't all you get are mud clouds along the bottom down stream of the rake?



years ago when we could fish for flounder i


made friends with a clammer who did quite a bit in the navasink.i would anchor down tide from him.it was like fishing in a constant chum slick.just watching him work made me tired.

[bunker dunker]

lots of the ribbon worms and other stuff they would eat.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Not sure how that would work? Wouldn't all you get are mud clouds along the bottom down stream of the rake?

An old trick we used to use when fishing for Winter Flounder was stirring up the bottom with a long stick and it worked so I would guess the clamming rakes do the same...

[Charlie B]

Never did it myself but have heard about using a plumbers plunger to stir up the bottom. When I was young and fished with my uncle he would fill a can or bucket with small rocks and throw out a handful every once in a while to stir up the bottom...Charlie