|
Imagine catching your own fresh clams and then cooking and eating them the same day ... try our recipies and enjoy the feast
Clams are bi-valved mollusks that can live up to 35 years and grow up to five inches in diameter; however, most NC clams are harvested when they are two years old at the minimum harvest size of one inch in diameter. Clams are harvested with rakes or by hand in inter tidal areas and shallow water along much of coastal NC. They are also caught with tongs and bull rakes in deeper water and by dredges and "kick boats". If you want to go clamming you'll need a rake. The least expensive rakes will work but a "Butter knife rake" ($100) is most effective. You can often feel the clams under foot as you walk through the water. You'll need an area of shallow - knee height water. Select a time when the tide has gone out, this will expose more clams. Ocrakoke has some great areas for clamming because of the tidal sound waters. The old adage of don't fish when there's an 'R' in the month is almost true. Essentially, Spring and Fall taste better and in the summer the clams don't taste as good. When the water is cold the Clams dig deeper and are harder to harvest. Run your rake through the sandy/muddy bottom, pushing the rake in from until you hear clink of rake on shell and scoop the clam up. Put clam into bucket of water. Flush bucket water every now and then, as the Clams spit out sand and will make the bucket water murky. There are oodles of ways to eat Clams. Grill, eat raw (if water is clean), steam, Clam bake on the beach, make Clam chowder or simply grill and make pasta with a clam sauce and parmesan cheese. When selecting Clams to eat; discard any that don't look right. Don't eat/cook raw open clams or smelly ones. Dig the same way for Oysters… except oyster shells are very sharp and will cut your feet… so wear shoes. 2008 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide for Sports Fishermen For Catch limits http://www.ncfisheries.net/recreational/recguide.htm Be advised that there is a recreational saltwater fishing license required. See NC Marine Fisheries website (http://www.ncfisheries.net). Get a fishing license from Walmart or online. Location Oregan Inlet, Ocracoke Cost If you have a license and a rake - it's all free
|
Adventures 
Comments (0)