HOW TO RAZOR CLAM

Learn about razor clam digging, razor clam cleaning and cooking razor clams in this video. Digging razor clams is a exciting activity when visiting the Oregon coast.

RAZOR CLAM DIGGING – “Learn to dig razor clams with a clam gun”

Clatsop Beach near Seaside Oregon is 18 miles long and accounts for 95 percent of the harvesting of razor clams on the Oregon Coast. The best time to dig for razor clams is during a minus tide. Plan on being there 2 hours prior to the low tide which can be found on any neighborhood tidal chart.

There are three major kind of “shows” to look for:

1. Doughnut: Has raised sides

2. Dimple: A depression in the sand

3. Keyhole: Is usually in drier sand areas and is shaped like an “hour-glass” or is a hole with very distinct sides

Stomping your feet or hitting the ground with a pole are ways to get the clams to produce a show. We used the stomping technique in this video. You may think you look funny doing this but the results will show for themselves. We had several people come up to us and say, “can you give us recommendations on digging for razor clams. We were more than happy to pass on our knowledge.

Washington and Oregon both have a limit of 15 razor clams per day. We were able to get our limit in less than one hour during our four day stay in Seaside Oregon. I would recommend you park at the end of 12th avenue in the public parking lot near the boardwalk. It’s a very short walk to the razor clam beds. You can use a shovel but the easiest way to dig for razor clams is to use a clam gun. The best clam gun on the market is called the Clamhawk and can be purchased at Englund Marine & Industrial Supply in Astoria Oregon or Dennis’s Company in Long Beach Washington. The Clamhawk is a 5” stainless steel clam gun and will last a lifetime.

RAZOR CLAM CLEANING – “Learn how to clean razor clams the easy way”

Place the razor clam in boiling water for a few second or until the clam opens. Then immediately submerge them in ice cold water to stop the cooking process. Cut the tip of the neck off then cut along the zipper and thru the first siphon. Cut the second siphon to open the razor clam. Remove the gills and turn the clam over to cut off the stomach. Wash away the black matter. Open the digger with a pair of scissors and butterfly it with a knife. Some people remove the digger when cleaning but I prefer to keep the clam with the digger and body together. Razor clam cleaning is very easy and will take a few minutes to complete. Take as much time as necessary.

RAZOR CLAM FRY – “Learn how to cook razor clams perfectly”

Dunk the clams in the egg wash and coat them with any fish fry blend. We tried “Slap Ya Mama” and “Louisiana” fish fry blend. I preferred “Slap Ya Mama”. You can add extra spice by adding 1/2 teaspoon of Slap Ya Mama Hot Cajun Seasoning to any fish fry blend. Bring the oil up to temperature before starting. Fry the razor clams for two minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Serve them with a creamy clam sauce as an appetizer or Po’ boy. Regardless of how you eat them, you will encounter the best the west coast brings to the table.

Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning Hot Blend

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Slap Ya Mama Cajun Fish Fry

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Louisiana Fish Fry Cajun Fish Fry

http://amzn.to/2aoxWCR

Clamhawg Stainless Steel Razor Clam Gun