LAST EDITED ON May-19-11 AT 10:05PM (MST)[p]Joey, I guess a dimple is the best description of how to spot a clam hole. The best way is to have someone show you. Sometimes you can actually see the neck sticking above the sand, especially if you're digging in a few inches of water. The best way to make a clam "show" is to tap the ground with the handle end of your shovel as you walk along. The vibration causes them to show.
Once you spot a "show" you take one big shovel full of sand out about 12" to the ocean side of the "show". The clams always lie with the hinge on their shell toward the ocean. Then when you reach into the hole you always grab the clam away from the sharp edge of their shell. They're called razor clams because they will slice your fingers if grab them wrong. After you get one shovel full out you quickly reach in and start digging with your hand to where you hope the clam is. It's all by feel at this point.
A clam can't out dig you but sometimes the sand is so water logged that the hole you're working keeps caving in and filling back in so that you can't gain any ground. About that time a wave comes crashing in, washes your shovel up the beach, and fills your hole back up. At that point your pride is hurt so bad that you decide the fricken clam was just a baby anyway and not worth further effort. So it's off to find another one.
Some guys stay above the water line in the dry sand and get lots of clams, but that's no challenge. Besides, like big bucks, big clams live where only the most die hard clammers are willing to go.
The best way to eat razor clams is to wisk an egg or two in a cup or two of milk. Stir the clam in there and then dredge it in saltine cracker crumbs. Fry in about 1/4 inch of hot oil (rice oil works the best) until the cracker crumbs are golden. Drain on some paper towels and enjoy. I fried some up tonight and was going to post a photo but I'm out of AA batteries. Next time I'll be prepared.
nickman, sometimes those turtles will bury themselves in the sand and mimick a clam. When you reach in they got you! I heard a guy screaming down the beach from me. I assume that's what happened to him. When we left there was an extra shovel laying on the beach.
Eel
Edit: RACKMASTER, we all know you eat clams.
