You’ll require certain fundamental tools once you acquire your license. Any clam digger needs a clam rake as a necessary tool. These rakes feature long handles and a basket at the end that make it easy to find clams by scraping the mud and sand. Additionally, you’ll need a bucket or mesh bag to store your clams while you gather them.
There are a few methods you might employ when actually digging for clams. To find little holes or depressions in the sand, stroll around the shoreline during low tide. These are indications that a clam is underground. To find the clam, gently scrape away the sand with your clam rake.
Another method is to search for spots where the sand is a little bit wetter or darker than the sand around it. This would suggest that clams are present below the surface. Once more, gently scrape away the sand with your clam rake until you come across the clam.
But how far down do clams really dig? The clam species determines the solution. Maine residents refer to soft-shell clams as “steamers” because they normally burrow only a few inches below the surface. While quahogs can only dig up to one foot deep. The size of the holes or depressions you detect in the sand should be carefully observed because this can provide information about the size and depth of the clam.
Even though the words “clam” and “oyster” are frequently used interchangeably, there are some significant distinctions between the two. Clams often have a rounder shell than oysters, which have a flatter, more elongated shell. Clams are frequently used in chowders, stews, and other prepared foods, whereas oysters are normally served fresh on the half shell.
Mussels, what about them? Do they share the same genus as clams? Despite being bivalve mollusks, mussels and clams belong to separate species. Mussels are often found in rocky locations rather than sandy beaches and have a longer shell than clams.
Go to the intertidal area of a sandy beach if you’re seeking for little neck clams in particular. Small neck clams are typically discovered in shallow water, a few inches below the surface. Use your clam rake to carefully dig around the margins of small, oval-shaped depressions in the sand until you come across a clam.
Digging for clams in Maine can be a profitable and enjoyable hobby, but it’s crucial to abide by all local laws and show environmental sensitivity. Take only what you need, and make sure to get rid of any shells or other trash you come across. You can quickly start relishing delectable, fresh clams with a little practice and perseverance.
The seas off the coast of Maine have a particularly high concentration of quahogs, though they can be found primarily throughout the Atlantic Ocean and the coastal waters of North America, from Canada to Florida.