Lawson's clamming

Just to add to this ridiculous line of reasoning....
So I can bring a bus load of kids down to the sand and I dig 10 clams for each kid and that would be ok... come on folks, what are we saying here... think ethics... what would that be teaching our kids?... you could also give them some of the participant soccer trophies that are in the landfill now.  

You’re going to dig 300 clams?  By yourself?  Exactly how long does the tide stay out in Tomales Bay, that’s pretty darn impressive!

Probably not, but I bet I can find that many partipant soccer trophies 
Right or wrong... our kids learn by our example... just saying follow the regs... there is more to it than a few clams. Think about it.

If I brought any kids I would certainly put em' to work in some capacity and it would include mud and handling and a balanced decision on take.  Kinda like casting for a kid, hands off once the bite goes down...9 and older would be a legit working age wouldn't you say?  Maybe 11 and up...?

Just to add to this ridiculous line of reasoning....
So I can bring a bus load of kids down to the sand and I dig 10 clams for each kid and that would be ok... come on folks, what are we saying here... think ethics... what would that be teaching our kids?... you could also give them some of the participant soccer trophies that are in the landfill now.  

You’re going to dig 300 clams?  By yourself?  Exactly how long does the tide stay out in Tomales Bay, that’s pretty darn impressive!

Probably not, but I bet I can find that many partipant soccer trophies 
Right or wrong... our kids learn by our example... just saying follow the regs... there is more to it than a few clams. Think about it.

I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to be thinking about? 

Just to add to this ridiculous line of reasoning....
So I can bring a bus load of kids down to the sand and I dig 10 clams for each kid and that would be ok... come on folks, what are we saying here... think ethics... what would that be teaching our kids?... you could also give them some of the participant soccer trophies that are in the landfill now.  

You’re going to dig 300 clams?  By yourself?  Exactly how long does the tide stay out in Tomales Bay, that’s pretty darn impressive!

Probably not, but I bet I can find that many partipant soccer trophies 
Right or wrong... our kids learn by our example... just saying follow the regs... there is more to it than a few clams. Think about it.

I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to be thinking about?

As a parent, I think you just  have to think whether you've given your kids the most well rounded and thorough education on clam digging as you see fit.

So for me, I may end up with a kid that loves clamming and asks to go when there's a low tide and another kid that only goes because she has too.  But when she's there, she loves running around and throwing mud on her siblings' butts as they clam.  She goes home with a participant soccer trophy and she should be darn proud of it.  And I hope every time she sees that trophy she is reminded of how much fun she had not clamming.

Just to add to this ridiculous line of reasoning....
So I can bring a bus load of kids down to the sand and I dig 10 clams for each kid and that would be ok... come on folks, what are we saying here... think ethics... what would that be teaching our kids?... you could also give them some of the participant soccer trophies that are in the landfill now.  

You’re going to dig 300 clams?  By yourself?  Exactly how long does the tide stay out in Tomales Bay, that’s pretty darn impressive!

Probably not, but I bet I can find that many partipant soccer trophies 
Right or wrong... our kids learn by our example... just saying follow the regs... there is more to it than a few clams. Think about it.

I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to be thinking about?

As a parent, I think you just  have to think whether you've given your kids the most well rounded and thorough education on clam digging as you see fit.

So for me, I may end up with a kid that loves clamming and asks to go when there's a low tide and another kid that only goes because she has too.  But when she's there, she loves running around and throwing mud on her siblings' butts as they clam.  She goes home with a participant soccer trophy and she should be darn proud of it.  And I hope every time she sees that trophy she is reminded of how much fun she had not clamming.

That happens a lot.  Then they’ll come again!  Maybe find a cockle or do some poke poling.

We are spoiled here for sure.  I’m never in any real danger of filling a total limit of 200 clams for 4 people.

Man, I would love to go clamming up there.  I want to get some of those razor clams.  They're super rare down here.  I've got more geoduck than razors. 

There was a healthy patch in Mission Bay in San Diego.  While pumping for ghost shrimp I met an old timer that was getting them easy peasy.  He bent or welded a hook at the end of a SS rod that was about the same gauge as a wire clothe hanger.  He'd stick the hook down a clam hole until he felt the shell then push the rod down beyond the shell.  Then all he did was turn the rod (hook) 90 degrees and lift.  If he felt no resistance he'd push the rod back down and turn it another 90 and try again.  If he felt weight he'd keep raising the rod until up came a razor clam. 

Some good friends of mine asked me to help them by making their jobs easier by passing on a phone number... 1-888-334-CalTIP. They asked if you all could share where and when "someone" may be using children as a cover to go over limit... something about not actively engaged in the pursuit of their own limit. In addition, be sure to wear something nice and bright so they can spot you with their binoculars. They shared if you could please leave your name, address and phone number as well as the time you will engaging in this illegal activity. 
I believe they also muttered something about nice role models, huckleberries...

Been clamming for over 20 years, you can say I am an expert at it. Getting my limits of 10 Washington and 10 horse neck at every trip is easy, getting geoducks on a rather consistent basis is a lot harder. There is a LOT of misinformation here and I don’t know how much I can answer and dispel for you all but here are some of the basics:

1) any clam you dig up you must retain irregardless of it’s condition.
2) you can assist each other but the person pulling up the clam is that person’s clam and count towards their personal limit. (Ie you can’t have one person just pump and one person pulling only. You must trade off.
3) your child must pull up their own clams to get their limit. Just holding a clam bag or counting is not enough!
4) you are only allowed to have clam digging equipment 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Possession of such equipment outside of these hours while still in the water or getting back to your vehicle is considered poaching.
5) all equipment mush be hand operated, absolutely no power tools allowed.

Regulations aside, please be extra careful going during the evening tides. You never know when the fog can roll in or the wind picking up. You can get lost in the fog really easily. I only go now when the tide turns in April and is low during the mornings. You can always wave down another boater for help. You won’t have as much luck at night.

And picture of my geoduck limits and one that my wife and I pulling up a 5+ pounder.

Apparently I can’t attach multiple pictures

Been clamming for over 20 years, you can say I am an expert at it. Getting my limits of 10 Washington and 10 horse neck at every trip is easy, getting geoducks on a rather consistent basis is a lot harder. There is a LOT of misinformation here and I don’t know how much I can answer and dispel for you all but here are some of the basics:

1) any clam you dig up you must retain irregardless of it’s condition.
2) you can assist each other but the person pulling up the clam is that person’s clam and count towards their personal limit. (Ie you can’t have one person just pump and one person pulling only. You must trade off.
3) your child must pull up their own clams to get their limit. Just holding a clam bag or counting is not enough!
4) you are only allowed to have clam digging equipment 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Possession of such equipment outside of these hours while still in the water or getting back to your vehicle is considered poaching.
5) all equipment mush be hand operated, absolutely no power tools allowed.

Regulations aside, please be extra careful going during the evening tides. You never know when the fog can roll in or the wind picking up. You can get lost in the fog really easily. I only go now when the tide turns in April and is low during the mornings. You can always wave down another boater for help. You won’t have as much luck at night.

And picture of my geoduck limits and one that my wife and I pulling up a 5+ pounder.

I don’t see misinformation, just a discussion.  Except Dr Dave seems to think I am advocating bringing kids along and having them take no effort, just to take extra clams as part of their limit.  I did no such thing, but whatever.

Your post jives with my understanding of enforcement philosophy in Tomales Bay.  It isn’t applicable everywhere but won’t get anybody in trouble either unless they are digging clams with a size limit and retain an undersized clam.

Nice geoducks.  I’m still looking for my first up here.

There you go, well said. I appreciate your comments about the fog as I remember a few times in my adventures being 180 degrees disoriented.

Well actually Crash, there are some comments in the thread overall that make that assumption you mention. Did I call you out by name?

I must apologize for being sarcastic or snarky in this thread while just trying to make the point that we have a great opportunity and responsibility to teach ethics and be positive role models for our children while in the pursuit of fish and game.

I have witnessed a few adults clamming with their child enjoying the beach, but not really doing much of the clamming activities. The sad part is the adults filled their buckets well beyond the limits of the adults. In one case the children were collecting a few moon snails and dropped them in the bucket while parents watched. I wish we could provide more  funding for CA Fish and Wildlife.

In any case, enjoy the Holidays!

It did seem directed at me, which I thought was not only out of line but out of character. I obviously misread the situation and I’m sorry. It’s not the first time that veiled snark and sarcasm has gotten me in trouble on the internet.

Happy holidays to you too!

Update:

https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=190289&inline

The proposed rule would amend subsections 29.20(c) and (d), Title 14, CCR to specify the
gear permitted to be used to harvest clams as hand operated spades, shovels, hoes, forks,
rakes, slurp guns, clam guns, and rigid clam tubes. It would specifically prohibit the use of
hydraulic hand pumps. Subsection 29.20(c) is revised to include gear restriction language for
the hydraulic pump, as well as language that states that it is unlawful to possess a hydraulic
pump or use any method that can liquefy sand in any area where clams may be taken. This
language is necessary to make it clear to recreational clammers that the subject device is a
restricted type of gear, and to include language to make the prohibition enforceable.

The proposed rule would amend subsections 29.20(c) and (d), Title 14, CCR to specify the
gear permitted to be used to harvest clams as hand operated spades, shovels, hoes, forks,
rakes, slurp guns, clam guns, and rigid clam tubes. It would specifically prohibit the use of
hydraulic hand pumps. Subsection 29.20(c) is revised to include gear restriction language for
the hydraulic pump, as well as language that states that it is unlawful to possess a hydraulic
pump or use any method that can liquefy sand in any area where clams may be taken. This
language is necessary to make it clear to recreational clammers that the subject device is a
restricted type of gear, and to include language to make the prohibition enforceable.

It also requires clammers to maintain their own limits in a separate container.  They might also be taking aim at teamwork clamming in general, which with kids is most of the fun.