[Hay Bailer]

I know some people love the Clam Gun but I myself am a shovel guy.

What is the advantage to a clam shovel. Will a regular shovel work??? conf:

I am taking over a few "new" people this weekend and we are running out of gear. wink:

 

[Slowleak]

I’m a shovel guy myself and I can’t think of a reason that you couldn’t be successful with a regular shovel but I’ve never tried it either. There are a few obvious disadvantages in that you are carrying a bunch of extra weight around and you will be moving way more sand than you have to. My guess is that you would be flat worn out after digging a limit.

 

[Theking]

A regular shovel makes too big of a hole and it fills in on itself before you can get the clamoa. A few of the local markets sell cheapo guns like $10 or 12 bucks. It's hard to find a clam shovel anymore.

 

[Major]

A razor clam can dig down faster than you can if you use a regular shovel because a regular shovel has such a short blade. You will get a few but miss way more of them. Go with the gun.

 

[Ihookem]

My son seem to prefer the gun -- at least when a wave comes in :lol:

 

[volynsky]

the gun will be easier for newbies.

the shovel is easier and more effective for the veteran diggers. personally, I hate using the tubes. I always end up crushing the clam or hurt my back pulling up those heavy cores of sand against the suction of the water. I can dig a pretty quick limit using a shovel.

 

[Slowleak]

It's hard to find a clam shovel anymore.

Not true... if you know where to look . Auburn Sports has the best selection including long handle, short handle, plain and stainless steel. They also have them at Sportco, Sportsman Warehouse and Joes. I've also seen them at the Aberdeen Walmart and the little store at Ocean City.

 

[volynsky]

It's hard to find a clam shovel anymore.

Not true... if you know where to look . Auburn Sports has the best selection including long handle, short handle, plain and stainless steel. They also have them at Sportco, Sportsman Warehouse and Joes. I've also seen them at the Aberdeen Walmart and the little store at Ocean City.

If you go to a hardware store, you might also find any suitable long bladed shovels. I think they call them "trench shovel" or something like that. That is what I use, and is probably cheaper than paying more(?) for a "clam shovel".

 

[fishin musician]

The clam shovel also has a different angle from the blade to the handle, giving you better leverage to dig fast, and you have to dig fast.
When I was out there last spring I saw a couple of guys using garden trowels. These two had to lay on the sand, were soaking wet and covered with sand, but they had limits before most of the people on our stretch of beach.

 

[Clockwork]

you will crush fewer clams with the gun. BTW if you want the "ultimate" clam gun let me know, we make them, they are far and away better than your basic guns. its patent pending.

 

[Slowleak]

you will crush fewer clams with the gun. BTW if you want the "ultimate" clam gun let me know, we make them, they are far and away better than your basic guns. its patent pending.

Only if you don't know how to use a shovel... unfortunately it’s almost a lost art.