Tomales Bay Clamming 3-25 (Sunday)

I took my boy and kayak out for horseneck clamming at Tomales Bay. When getting there, it was super foggy. Visibility was poor about ~300ft. Clamming required a lot of work. But the result was good. See pics for samples.  Afternoon the wind came up, which added challenge for paddling back plus against incoming tide. We made back OK, but my arms worn out.

I saw two shore fishermen fishing at low tide. Their results were good. One leopard shark was close to 4 feet long. He said he lost the other two during fight. I guess it is a good season to catch them if you are interested.

Eric

2 questions for clamming experts:

1) How can I avoid cracking shells of clams when digging? I got 1/3 clams cracked.  I am wondering whether I have right kind of shavel for this job. I was careful, but it was hard to predict where the clam sit.

2) Clams have a lot of sand inside. What are good ways to clean and remove the sands out of them?

Thanks.

Nice haul and report.  Those should be on the AOY points list!    

I haven't gotten that species before, so I don't have good info on diggin' and cleaning. 

A followup report with step by step cleaning, meal prep, and cooking photos would be totally cool! 

Nice clams.

To get the sand out of them you can keep them in a bucket of sea water for a couple of hours and they'll spit most of it out.

For keeping them from getting cracked, well just be a bit careful.  When I finally get down to where I can see the top  of the neck, I will usually use a small hand shovel and work my way around them or just use my hands. It's tough work, but you won't crack them.

Don't worry about cracking them, as Dave says..."you can't eat the shell".  These don't need to be purged, you don't eat them whole.  You butcher them and them make whatever you want out of the meat.

To clean:

-Stick a knife in through the back of the shell and cut each adductor
-Open up the clam
-Rinse out the sand
-Cut off the siphon and trim the leathery end off of the siphon
-Start a siphon pile to skin later

-Cut out the adductors off each shell and put them in a bowl
-Cut out the foot and mantle and put them in the bowl too
-The meat in the bowl is good to go

To skin the siphons
-Boil a pot of water
-Blanch the siphons for a few seconds
-Peel the skin right off

eyeatbay,
Thanks for the good report and nice catch!

scawfish,
Good job on the cleaning instructions.  Thanks!


How low of a tide is necessary at Tomales Bay for good clamming?

Heres how we get these clams. Get a five gallon bucket and cut out the bottom so now you have a tube. Locate the calm and place the bucket over it and push down and twist the bucket then start removing the sand keep pushing the bucket down while removing the sand and you'll see the bucket stops the sand from falling back in the hole and no need for a shovel. Unless you find a goo-ie-duk clam then you will have to dig. I know the spelling on the other clam is incorrect but it is a larger clam then the horseneck. To get the sand out we purge them in freshwater. Sean instructions on cleaning are perfect. Enjoy that chowder.

Nice haul.Clam chowder with sourdough is the bomb!

Windrider,
The general consensus is, it has to be at least +0.2  or lower to dig the horsenecks.  If there is a strong south wind it needs to be a little lower than that.  If you pick up a Tomales Bay Calender at the entry gate,(they are free), they have the days marked with the time and the tides specific to Tomales.  That way you don't have to figure out the time adjustment and all that.  I keep one on my fridge at home.  Hope to see some of you guys out there.  There are some really good tides in April.
Dave

Regarding tides, I ususally go for days when minue tides. you have about 2.5 hours window to work. For example, low tide is at 1pm, you should get to the sand island/bar around 12noon, dig about 2 hours, come back around 2:30pm. Use Daylight saving time.

Good score, Eric.  I remember going out there when the Barge was running.  It was hard work digging those gooey-ducks.  I saw a couple guys with those homemade bilge pumps made of PVC and tennis ball etc.  They collect a bucketful on just over an hour.  An Asian guy was even enjoying fresh sashimi after getting his limit.  Those bilge pumps are the best way to harvest them.  I vaguely remember seeing instructions on making them on the web.

Eric and Dave, I'll like to hook up with you guys next time you go out.  Keep us posted.

Henry