Clams on the beach

[Angler Paul]

Someone said there were plenty of clams on the beach.I haven't seen any clams on NJ beaches in about 10 years and the last time it was all the way up in Sandy Hook. Please LMK if anyone has first hand knowledge of any on the beach. Thanks, Paul H.

[AndyS]

Since they started all the beach replenishments you never see clams anymore. Years ago even a hard South blow would litter the beach with clams, now nothing. You still need a clamming license to pick up clams off the beach I believe.

[Grateful Dad]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Since they started all the beach replenishments you never see clams anymore. Years ago even a hard South blow would litter the beach with clams, now nothing. You still need a clamming license to pick up clams off the beach I believe.

What he said…
License is needed to pick up clams

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Angler Paul

Someone said there were plenty of clams on the beach.I haven't seen any clams on NJ beaches in about 10 years and the last time it was all the way up in Sandy Hook. Please LMK if anyone has first hand knowledge of any on the beach. Thanks, Paul H.

With a hurricane blowing a few hundred miles offshore?.. No clams??.. Man, things have changed.. I can recall for many years walking the beach after just a weekend NE blow, no hurricanes in sight, and the entire shoreline would be covered in huge surf clams, [ razor clams or soft shells if I was at the bay],mile after mile, some broken of course, but lots of them were totally intact as well.. I had no idea that even clams are now MIA on NJ beaches.. Kind of sad really...

[No Fluke]

Originally Posted by Angler Paul

Someone said there were plenty of clams on the beach.I haven't seen any clams on NJ beaches in about 10 years and the last time it was all the way up in Sandy Hook. Please LMK if anyone has first hand knowledge of any on the beach. Thanks, Paul H.

I was just a kid back then, but I remember the last time I saw clams in NJ was in Sandy Hook 40 years ago and it seemed rather easy to find them during low tide.

I do recall someone chasing after folks telling them to drop the clams back because of risk of hepatitis. If the waters were that polluted, then isn't it just as risky to bathe in them or catch fish?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Although I have no first hand info, if some do wash up my bet would be in areas like Sandy Hook rather then the places that had recent beach replenishment.

I know there are clammers in the Sandy Hook area but they stick to the bay usually and I think their clams go right to the repurification plant the co op runs. Fine for bait but not sure I'd eat them.

[frugalfisherman]

Last year in seaside tons of mussels washed up. I cooked some but they were sandy

[Pennsy Guy]

During the 1940's, after a blow, it was a common occurrence, even into the '50's. That was in Atlantic City...then I moved offshore, Navy, etc....Now in Penna.

[JoeyFlatFish]

Island Beach state park would be loaded with clams that would roll up on the shore after a storm.

Happy Labor Day to All.