Clamming

[LotsobitesBB]

I started clamming this year with a friend and we did real well for a first year.
Found a bunch of areas on our own (and a little help from a few people), open grounds/waters, licenses, regulations, right equipment etc. We targeted hard shell clams, kids came on some trips and had a blast, got some exercise and ate well.

I was wondering if anyone has had any success with softshell clams recently in the Navesink/Shrewsberry and northern Barnaget Bay . We are pondering giving it a go but wondering if we are wasting time searching around. Not asking for any spots (but PM if you feel generous).

[june181901]

I had a buddy who tried with very little success in the area around the Goose Neck Bridge. That was about 5 years ago.

[Capt. Debbie]

What's a soft shell clam? Never knew they existed?

I only heard of Navesink clammers. And by law only east of the Oceanic Bridge is allowed.

The commercial guys are all over Sandy Hook Bay and the beginning of Shrewsbury between #1 can and 2 can of the Shrewsbury. Look for boats with sails made of blue tarps.



I started clamming this year.... success with softshell clams recently in the Navesink/Shrewsberry and northern Barnaget Bay . We are pondering giving it a go but wondering if we are wasting time searching around. Not asking for any spots (but PM if you feel generous).

[Grateful Dad]

[QUOTE=Capt. Frank;556181]What's a soft shell clam?

I think he is talking about what they call "steamers" or "Ipswitch" clams up in New England. I've always called them "pisser clams".

[Blind Archer]

The area east of the Oceanic was seasonally open to soft clam harvest
The territory was fiercely defended by the commercial clammers. New guy be warned. This was at least 15 years ago. Not sure if the fishery still exists.

[bulletbob]

Not sure what happened, but years ago when I lived in Union Beach if you walked along the tideline at low tide you were getting sprayed constantly.. Piss clams were everywhere, and I used to dig them up with ease, while digging the flats for bait.. Back then I wanted big hard shells for bait and could not find them, only soft clams which were not as good for bait in

[Capt. Debbie]

I have never seen one clammer east of the oceanic bridge in 22 years of sea towing down there. They are almost exclusively Sand Hook Bay

There's a several low tide sand bars between the Oceanic Bridge and the junction of the rivers. All but one bar needs a boat to get to.


The area east of the Oceanic was seasonally open to soft clam harvest
The territory was fiercely defended by the commercial clammers. New guy be warned. This was at least 15 years ago. Not sure if the fishery still exists.

[Capt. Debbie]

The ones with tails ... to me.. steamers or piss clams too. They are hard shelled. Just not as thick.



[QUOTE=Capt. Frank;556181]What's a soft shell clam?

I think he is talking about what they call "steamers" or "Ipswitch" clams up in New England. I've always called them "pisser clams".

[june181901]

Captain Frank: East of Barley's Point, south of the Navesink and west of the Shrewsbury is a prime place for the sportsman hardshell clammer. When the tide is low they park in Rumson and wearing waders reach the flats. On a calm day with an early low tide I've seen upwards of 30 people clamming there.

One commercial guy anchors his boat about 100 yards west of the white hazard buoys and clams there for a few hours on occasion.

[Capt. Debbie]

I know. I did not want to burn others' spots. Waders required.

usually the commercial guys drift to cover more bottom. That's what those tarps are hoisted up for. Wind catching


Captain Frank: East of Barley's Point, south of the Navesink and west of the Shrewsbury is a prime place for the sportsman hardshell clammer. When the tide is low they park in Rumson and wearing waders reach the flats. On a calm day with an early low tide I've seen upwards of 30 people clamming there.

One commercial guy anchors his boat about 100 yards west of the white hazard buoys and clams there for a few hours on occasion.

[Capt Sal]

Dragging clam rakes all over Raritan and Princess bay screwed up the bottom. It killed life! They have to go a purge plant to get the pollution out? I would never eat one and it ruins the bottom stucture and all the growth.