Oregon Razor Clamming Catch and Cook Clam Diggin on A Beach

Took Kevin out to dig razor clams on the beach during a minus tide. This was in Sunset Beach. We cooked up the clams afterwards.
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[@seansullivan3795]

I've made clam chowder with razor clams and it was bomb!

[@fishhunt9874]

I agree with you. I did the same and it was the best clam chowder that I ever ate 😋

[@dennissheridan1550]

PK, I personally prefer tartar sauce for fish and cocktail sauce for firmer meats like shrimp and clams, I don't know why maybe it's because that's the way my mom served them. Those were truly some nice looking clams, watching the vid made me hungry. 👍

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

That beach looked amazing -- I wouldn't have been in such a hurry to leave, LOL! Clam strips are really tasty, but I haven't had them for quite a while.

[@edquier40]

Way to go Kevin, bringing in the big ones! PK, you have a new rising star on your hands!

[@hedoesthingspdx]

Kevin is THE CLAMINATOR! Nice work

[@stanzistriker]

Remember that getting the clams, is only the beginning! Lots of work to go out there, find them, & dig them up without mangling them. If you’re lucky you haul them all the way back to your vehicle. Then you need to set up a work place somewhere to take them out of their shells. It’s wet & messy! I found that a short plunge into boiling water stuns them enough so you can run a thin knife around the shell, and cut thru the adductor muscles at the top & bottom of the shells. Then the shell-less clam should fall out of the shell. Identify the stomach (an Online anatomical image helps) and discard, plus any dark ugly bits that may escape the stomach, although lots of clammers eat it stomach & all! We liked to divide the clam into “chowder meat” & the “digger foot. Save the chopped pieces for chowder and cut off the digger foot 1 to 2 inches from the end where the dense firm meat melds into the innards. Carefully butterfly (slice) it open & flatten it out. Lots consider the foot to be gourmet as a it tastes like Scallops! Moisten your butterflied feet in an egg wash and dredge in flour (or a bisquick) and sauté quickly in fresh butter (preferably clarified) and after a minute or two quickly browning them on both sides, deglaze the pan with white Vermouth. Add enough so you create a sauce, swirling your pan and as the flour thickens the wine, pour it to a plate for serving. Makes a dynamite breakfast or a elegant dinner entree. We liked Vermouth because it keeps well and considering that getting clams usually means camping, explains also the Bisquick. & remember that real Butter keeps longer than margarine without refrigeration (up to a week). Someday maybe we’ll share a chowder recipe? It’s really not necessary - keep it simple & fresh!

[@ronmodafferi8202]

I had dug many hundreds of 6" razors at Clam Gulch, AK in early '70s; limit was 30/day 60 possession. The season has been closed for maybe last 10 years. The tender foot was for frying; the rest is for chowder.

[@rickylee6129]

Good Video PK and Kevin 😊.

[@johnhobbs7697]

My wife and I were just there last weekend still learning but the first day we didn't do so good cuz we got there a little late second day we started early unlimited out in an hour and a half with only one clam gun we did pretty good and boy are they good to eat-ground some up to make chowder with and fried some roll damn and cornmeal and flour or Italian bread crumbs flower fried them in a little peanut oil they were delicious thank you very much for the video

[@stanzistriker]

Start clamming 1 hour b4 a minus tide! Walk one direction slowly scanning the wet San just above the waterline, looking for “Dimples” in the wet sand. Of course this tells you where the clam’s tube came up to bi-valve its food from the water when the tide was in, not that long ago. In fact sometimes you can see water spitting up several inches into the air! It’s clear evidence that a clam is down there! Now is when the sport begins! If you’re using a clam gun, try to align the gun so as to go AROUND the clam, and NOT cut him with the tube. If you cut them, you loose the meat that was cut because the cutting dives sand into the meat making it impossible to eat. BUT accidents happen & it’s unlawful to throw away “hospital clams”. You can clean them up later and salvage the clean meat! So be careful with the tube! If you’re using a Clam Shovel (4’ with a 9-12 inch narrow curved metal blade)…. Upon spying the Dimple - standing between the ocean & the dimple, I’d put the tip of my shovel about a foot away from the hole (ocean side as the clam will dig on an angle towards the ocean!). After several quick scoops I’d drop to my knees & dig with my hand, following the hole best I can. Many times I’d feel him down there, sometimes cutting my fingertips in the process! They call them “Razor Clams” for a reason! As you’re hand digging, spread your fingers apart slightly to widen your grasp of wet sand and cover more area to feel contact with the clam. Working fast, dig like crazy until you can get a pinch on the clam! Then pull him to the surface and invite them to dinner if they’re large enough. It’s a challenge as you know! And eating fresh razor clam is the reward! Personally we prefer chopping clams vs grinding, but that’s preference. It’s ALL good! And the digger-foot butterflied and deglazed with white vermouth tastes like scallops! Yummm!

[@fabulousrobert6607]

Should’ve tried for perch on the surf. If the clamming was poor, you always have the perch, I always say. Then pan fry those things in the iron skillet. Delicious 😋

[@sherryillk]

We had crappy luck during the Free Fishing weekend out in Fort Stevens. Very disappointing.

[@ThomasC951]

Great video! Could you recommend a less expensive fishing reel? Specifically for surf perch.

[@k-dawg3893]

Yum!

[@lonewolfwoodworks6802]

What did you do to the clams before your first sink shot? They were all open

[@stanzistriker]

Richard Davison 2 seconds ago Best Razor Clamming in the world is Alaska. On Kenai Peninsula clams can grow upwards of 1 foot long, but fishing pressure has made the easy to get to places yield less. Alaska STILL has the BEST. In WA @ OR Razors have been conserved and showing a slight comeback. Check with local fish & game! Give them a call. They like hearing from fishermen & will gladly recommend options for clamming. Fishing & hunting, PLUS give you accurate data on quotas limits and restrictions. It’s a great resource!

[@ryefry]

Do you keep the clam leftovers for crab bait?

[@oregonlife]

Yes, they make good crab bait.

[@ryefry]

@@oregonlife i figured they would. I still love chicken, but it can't hurt to mix bait.

[@stanzistriker]

You mean there were leftovers??!!

[@jamesgriffin7711]

Quick question. In the UK they use salt to harvest razor clams. I'm guessing it is illegal on the west coast. Does anyone know for sure?

[@oregonlife]

Using any chemical for clamming in Oregon is 100% illegal.

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

Do these people know that the ocean is full of salt water? At this point, I doubt it.

[@stanzistriker]

Best in the world is Alaska. On Kensington peninsula clams can grow upwards of 1 foot long, but fishing pressure has made the east to drive to places smaller. Alaska STILL has the BEST. In WA @ OR Razors have been conserved and showing a slight comeback. Check with local fish & game! Give them a call. They like hearing from fishermen & will gladly receivable options for clamming. Fishing & hunting, PLUS give you accurate data on quotas limits and restrictions. It’s a great resource!

[@beckyaasen5232]

Oregon needs to adapt Washington's clamming and crabbing regulations. OR IS ALL CLAMMED OUT! 😢

[@conspicuoustraverser7375]

We have plenty of clams, what are you on about?