Clamming Gear & Equipment for Your Next Bay Trip
Clamming around Long Beach Island is a great way to enjoy the bay and bring home something delicious for dinner. When gearing up to search the shallow flats, start with a clam rake that fits your reach, a basket to hold your catch and a gauge to measure clams as you go. A basket-style rake helps you locate and lift hard clams from the bottom, while a compatible floating basket keeps your harvest nearby as you wade. Shop our Clamming Gear & Equipment to compare rake styles, handle lengths, baskets and accessories for your next outing.
Once you’re on the flats, lightly scratch the sand or mud with your rake and feel for the solid contact of a buried shell. When you find a clam, work the surrounding area carefully—there may be more nearby. A manageable rake makes it easier to control each pass and recognize that telltale clink. Whether you’re buying your first clamming tools or upgrading a well-used setup, Fisherman’s Headquarters can help you choose gear for the way you clam. Before heading out, check the shellfish license requirements and harvest-area updates for your location.
State Shellfish License
In New Jersey, a shellfish license is required for harvesting clams. Obtain the appropriate recreational shellfish license through New Jersey Fish & Wildlife before your trip. The state’s license page provides current purchasing options and resident, nonresident and age-related conditions.
Requirements vary by state and location. Always check the specific state regulations and laws where you plan to harvest, including local restrictions, permitted methods, legal measurements and possession limits. Review shellfish classification maps and temporary closures before every trip. This page provides general guidance and does not replace current official regulations.
Essential Clamming Gear & Equipment
Build your setup around the way you plan to clam. A rake, measuring tool and catch container cover the main searching and collecting tasks; footwear, gloves and seasonal clothing help you work comfortably. A license and local tide information belong on your checklist, too. Compare the essentials below before choosing your gear.
Clam Rakes
Choose a rake with a comfortable handle length and a head you can pull through the bottom without straining. Compare tine count, head width, materials and what is included. Stainless steel offers good corrosion resistance; rinse and dry all rakes after saltwater use. Some listings are rake heads only, so confirm handle compatibility before buying.
Scratch Rakes
A scratch rake helps you probe the sand or mud and feel for a buried shell. Depending on the design and your technique, you may retrieve the clam by hand. Compare handle lengths and tine configurations to find a scratch rake that suits your reach and the bottom you work.
Clam Rakes With Baskets
A basket-style rake combines searching tines with a basket that collects clams as you pull and lift. It is a practical option when you want to locate and retrieve your catch with the same tool. Compare KB White models and the F.J. Neil BTCR-10 for different sizes, handle lengths and materials. A larger head covers more ground per pass, while a smaller head may be easier to control.
Killer Clam Rakes
Quality made in NJ clam rakes known for their easy of use due to their design and long lasting durability. Killer Clam Rakes offers a couple options… with head-only or complete-rake status clearly stated.
Clam Gauge or Measuring Ring
Keep a measuring tool accessible on your rake or basket so you can check clams as you collect them. Choose a gauge, ruler or purpose-made ring that correctly checks the dimension required by current regulations for your location. Do not assume a generic hardware-store ring measures the right dimension. Measure each clam, return undersized clams immediately where you found them and keep track of your harvest.
Clam Basket Net or Bag
Choose a basket, mesh net or catch bag that holds clams securely and lets water drain. A handled wire basket is easy to load, while a mesh bag can be useful when carrying space is limited. Compare capacity, opening size and how comfortably you can carry the catch. A large container does not change your legal harvest limit.
For wading, pair a compatible basket and float ring to keep your harvest nearby and save repeated trips back to shore. Baskets and floats may be sold separately, so match the dimensions before ordering. Keep lines clear of your feet and avoid overloading the basket. Chill your catch promptly after harvesting; a floating basket is not a substitute for cold storage.
Mesh Bag for Cleaning and Purging Clams
A durable mesh bag keeps your clams together while allowing water to pass through during cleaning and purging before meal preparation. Choose mesh small enough to retain your clams, a secure closure and a size that is manageable when loaded. Rinse away loose sediment and scrub the shells before cooking.
Purging may help clams release some sand, but it does not remove every food-safety hazard or make clams from closed waters safe to eat. Follow appropriate shellfish handling guidance rather than leaving your catch soaking in warm water. Do not use freshwater for soaking live clams or immerse them in water for storage. Keep them shaded and chill them promptly after harvesting.
Clam Knife for Opening and Shucking
Add a purpose-made clam knife when you want to open hard clams for stuffed clams, chowder or other preparations. Choose a comfortable handle and a blade designed for clam shucking. Compare Dexter clam knife options, and use a cut-resistant glove to protect your holding hand. A general kitchen knife is a poor substitute for the right shucking tool.
Clean and chill the clams before opening them. Work on a stable surface, direct the blade away from your hand and body, and avoid forcing a stubborn shell. Keep shucked meat cold until preparation. Opening a clam does not make it safe to eat raw; cooking thoroughly is the safest preparation.
Clamming Gloves
Look for gloves that offer a secure wet grip and enough dexterity to handle clams and use your gauge. A comfortable fit matters when pulling a rake repeatedly. Match the material to the season and task: insulated gloves can help in cooler conditions, while lighter gloves may be more comfortable in warm weather. Check the manufacturer’s protection claims rather than assuming all gloves resist shell cuts or punctures.
Waders for Clamming
Waders can improve comfort on cooler days. Compare bootfoot models for an attached boot with stockingfoot models that need separate compatible footwear. Choose a fit that allows comfortable movement and follow the manufacturer’s guidance for belts and use. Waders are seasonal equipment; they do not make deep water or strong current safe. Stay in manageable depths and plan your return as the tide rises.
Clamming Boots and Protective Footwear
Secure boots, water shoes or booties help protect your feet from shells and debris. Choose soles that suit the bottom and provide reliable footing. If you tread for clams, soft neoprene booties offer more feel, but less puncture protection than sturdier soles. For stockingfoot waders, select compatible wading boots with enough room for the neoprene feet. Avoid clamming barefoot, and rinse and dry footwear after use.
Tide Chart or Tide App
Use a tide chart or app with a prediction station appropriate for the area you plan to clam. Check the date, local time setting and the next high and low tides. Lower water often makes shallow flats easier to search, but local depth and access matter. Plan your return before rising water cuts off your route.
If you use an app, look for clear station information and a readable high-and-low tide schedule. Save the information before leaving if service is unreliable. Tide predictions do not account for every change caused by wind or weather; check the forecast and conditions at the site as well. NOAA provides station-based tide predictions online.
Buy Clamming Gear From Fisherman’s Headquarters
Shop online for clamming tools or visit Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom on Long Beach Island. We can help you compare rakes, choose a comfortable size and match baskets with accessories. Tell us where and how you plan to clam, and we’ll help you narrow down the options. Helping anglers catch more fish since 1962.
Planning a Clamming Trip Around LBI
For New Jersey bay clamming, look for accessible shallow flats with sand, mud or a mix of the two. Lower water often makes the bottom easier to work. Obtain the appropriate shellfish license and check current harvest rules, classification maps and closure notices before your trip. Keep your catch shaded and chill it promptly; store live clams in a breathable container rather than an airtight bag or immersed in water.
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