Razor Clams Jan 28- Feb 3

[GregE]

Next dig dates

January 24, 2018
Contact: Dan Ayres, (360) 249-4628

WDFW approves 7 days of razor clam digging

OLYMPIA – Seven days of razor clam digging will get underway beginning Sunday, Jan. 28, on various coastal beaches.

State shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the dig after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat.

Four beaches will be open for digging on different days throughout seven-day period, said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager with WDFW.

"Not every beach is open every day – so folks need to be sure they know if the beach they are headed for is open," Ayres said. "We've staggered the days various beaches are open to maximize the length of the opening."

The best digging typically occurs one to two hours before low tide, said Ayres, noting that digging is not allowed at any beach before noon.

The upcoming dig is approved on the following beaches, dates and evening low tides:

Jan. 28, Sunday, 4:06 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Mocrocks
Jan. 29, Monday, 4:59 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Copalis
Jan. 30, Tuesday, 5:47 p.m.; -1.5 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Jan. 31, Wednesday, 6:33 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 1, Thursday, 7:17 p.m.; -1.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb. 2, Friday, 8:00 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 3, Saturday, 8:42 p.m.; -0.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

[Dbobby23]

i Was going to head to the ocean tomorrow but not after seeing this forecast.

[GregE]

Good thing to check!!

45 gusts here today

Hoping to go Tuesday, Twin Harbors area.

[Craneman]

i Was going to head to the ocean tomorrow but not after seeing this forecast.

D Bobby,
What site did you get that forecast?
          Moe

[Dbobby23]

i Was going to head to the ocean tomorrow but not after seeing this forecast.

D Bobby,
What site did you get that forecast?
          Moe

Windfinder app for iPhone

[Old Chaser]

Looks like wed. for me! The forecast I was looking at says wed. the wind will lay down a bit and it should be at least half way nice for digging. Ocean shores for me? Its tuff digging when the wind blooows-

[Dbobby23]

Successful. razor clams and surf perch.

Started the day stopping at the breakwater for fish & chips in Aberdeen. Food and service was great. Reasonably priced. 11.50 I think for a 3 piece cod.

Next stop Roosevelt beach. Arrived about 1:00 started casting out into the dirty brown breakers using fresh  caught Puget Sound squid while standing chest high in the surf. Not 1 bite for 2 hours.

Next was break time for an hour in the car to warm up.

4:00 the tide has gone out enough exposing the sandshrimp
With my homemade shrimp gun, I load my waist bait container with dozens and headed back into the surf
Sometimes neck high in the breakers. I lost my feet once and only my head was sticking out of the water. I stayed pretty dry due to my waders, tight waste belt and my really nice stormr Stryker jacket.  Yes I was wearing a buoyant coat made by stormr and a life jacket. This is not my first time bobbing in the surf.

First cast with sandshrimp first surf perch in the bag. For the next hour and a half it was red hot, wide open lights out. If I baited my hooks right with the sandshrimp, meaning they stayed on the hooks while I casted I hooked a fish. I was along side 3 other friends having the same luck.

The setup. 1 ounce weight at the bottom. 12 inches up the 30 lb maxima fluorocarbon I tie another piece of 30 lb leaving a tag end. I then tie on a #4 eagle claw glow octopus hook. Repeat hook setup again 10 inches higher up the line. 12 inches above that using a swivel and duo snap the setup is hooked to my mainline. I use 30 lb because it keeps the hook hangin away from the mainline meaning no tangles.

Next race back to the cars and head to capalis to dig. We showed up 10 minutes before the low, rain blowing sideways water moving over the sand making it hard to spot clams. This is when I know I have to find high ground. Even a small section maybe 3 ft by 5. Sometimes in tough conditions this will turn your night around. Last night was no different. All my 15 clams came from small patches barely elevated enough to keep the standing water off. The clams were not showing good last night even on the humps. The tells were almost as wide as number 2 pencil eraser and barely indented into the ground. It took all 4 of us about 45 minutes to get our limits and we were heading home.

[GregE]

Good report   :applause:

Caution wading to bobbing depth, sneaker waves and rip currents can make you a recovery project   

[Dbobby23]

Good report   :applause:

Caution wading to bobbing depth, sneaker waves and rip currents can make you a recovery project   

No doubt Greg. Earlier in the day the rip was present meaning we didn't wade out nearly as far. Closer to the low of course anything could happen but yesterday the rip calmed down and for the most part we were all waist deep with the Accasional taller swell coming in. All 4 of us are experienced, close to each other  and always watching over each other.

[GregE]

Heading to Grayland / Twin Harbors area tonight- sure wish I could have made it Weds.  Sure is easier spotting shows in daylight

[Mooch]

Caution.....

Keep it on a swivel and be safe out there guys.  Winter can get sketchy.  Almost lost a buddy at Roosevelt Beach last year and he lives in Copalis and has clammed his whole life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSCCe1y6-b8

[E-TEC Pacer]

Just read on another site that a couple women got washed away the other night. One was off Warrenton Cannery Rd. and the other was north of Ocean Park. Sounds like both bodies were recovered. Sad deal.

[Mooch]

Very sad.  Seems like within minutes of each other at two entirely separate beaches.  Tough to see a rogue set coming at you at 9 PM.

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/state/washington/article198370569.html

[Markshoreline]

Razor clamming is so fun that the last thing you'd think of is a rogue wave washing you away!  My biggest concern was always trying to keep the minivan from getting stuck on the beach with the tide coming in.

[Threeweight]

We were out on the beach at Ocean Park when we saw the first responder trucks running up the beach at high speed with their blue lights flashing.  Were some weird wave sets and a south wind where we were... every 45 seconds to a minute, we'd get one big wave that would run in a good 30-40' further up the beach than the average.