Would you go clamming in early April? (Beaufort: live, price)

[nanoo66]

Hi.

My husband and I are planning to head to the NC shore in search of a clamming adventure with our 8 year old. I have some questions:

1. Too cold in early April?
2. Any suggestions on where newbie clammers should go?
3. Any on line resources for clamming in NC? I can't find any.

A friend of ours suggested Sea Level or Topsail.

Any suggestions?

Sincerely,

Shellfishless

[historychic09]

It may be a bit cold to go clamming, the water temp is currently around 50* at wrightsville

Make sure the area you go clamming in is open for clamming, maps can be found here (http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/shellfish/maps.htm - broken link) and temporary closures can be found here.

I'm not sure about the best places though there is a really interesting exhibit up at the Beaufort Maritime Museum about Clams, Oysters, Mollusk etc and how they're caught etc.

[Bill Hitchcock]

nanoo66,
Clams are like mercury-Both rise and fall with temperature. April is a very interesting month for the coast of North Carolina. Traditionally somewhere in mid/late April the water beach temperatures jump up 5-10 degrees. This effects all waters and eventually all fish
I would highly encourage you to get what's called a butter knife rake. They tend to be abit pricey-$100 or more but well worth it.
A butter knife rake tines are literally table knifes with the serrated edge pointed out words. Which brings us to a very important point. You don't pull the rake-You push it.
You can quickly learn to hear and feel a live clam when pushing a butter knife rake.

Avoid mud bottom and please don't try to work grass beds (Although you'll find scallops there). Look for hard bottom near grass beds in a few feet of water.
A great indication of clams are clam shells in the area-Particularly if you see clam shells busted on docks and piers. Sea gulls pick up exposed live clams and drop them on hard services to bust them open.
Hope this helps,
Bill

[Bill Hitchcock]

Another great thing about a butter knife rake-They normally come with a long aluminium handle. Since you are pushing it and not pulling it-Just put the butt of the rake in your midsection and walk. The fatique factor of clamming is greatly minimized.
Those Wal-mart version of rakes with the stubby tines and short handles will wear you out-Especially if you go thru the traditional raking motion.