keeping clams alive????

[275atlantic]

wat does everyone do with there clams to keep them alive???    does anyone keep them in the livewell??

[Pfishingruven]

If I am using them the same day I buy them, I put them in a bucket of fresh seawater for 15-20 minutes and let them purge.  Then I put them in a cooler with ice.  Don't put them directly on the ice and it is best not to let them come in contact with any melted ice/fresh water.  Layering newspaper, using a shelf or using blue ice packs, etc will eliminate the water.  I leave the valve open on the cooler so the water runs right out.

When I need to keep them for more than a day or so, I purge them several times and keep them very cool...around 38 degrees or so either in a cooler or refrigerator.  I haven't had to keep them more than 2 days, so...Usually it is less than a day and any leftovers I just shuck and salt.

I have never used a livewell or heard of anyone put clams in a livewell, but it doesn't mean you can't.

Maybe someone else has tried it?

Good Luck!

 

[Hunter 2]

     Also a good idea to pack them in the cooler hinge side up.

[wb]

tie off a burlap bag full submerged off your boat.

[catfish hunter]

tie off a burlap bag full submerged off your boat.

I did that last saterday ,went back monday and everyone of them was dead .I had to buy another bushel

[wb]

Charlie I'm thinking your clams were on their way out when you got them.

works for a few days at least if you get a fresh batch

[Fishin Dude]

pfishingruven is on the mark. This is what I've done for years and never had a problem. Weather you are fishing from the beach or a boat, a fresh bath every so often does them wonders.

I heard a story from an old piney bayman who told me that you can actually freeze a fresh clam, then place it in seawater and it would thaw and still be alive. I have not tried it, and don't know if he was just goofing on an "outsider", or sharing his vast knowledge of Barnegate Bay. I'm going to try it some day.    <'((((><

[275atlantic]

ok thanx guys ill try it

[Luna Sea 5]

If I am using them the same day I buy them, I put them in a bucket of fresh seawater for 15-20 minutes and let them purge.  Then I put them in a cooler with ice.  Don't put them directly on the ice and it is best not to let them come in contact with any melted ice/fresh water.  Layering newspaper, using a shelf or using blue ice packs, etc will eliminate the water.  I leave the valve open on the cooler so the water runs right out.

When I need to keep them for more than a day or so, I purge them several times and keep them very cool...around 38 degrees or so either in a cooler or refrigerator.  I haven't had to keep them more than 2 days, so...Usually it is less than a day and any leftovers I just shuck and salt.

I have never used a livewell or heard of anyone put clams in a livewell, but it doesn't mean you can't.

Maybe someone else has tried it?

Good Luck!

 

your totally correct with this.. but DO NOT put the clams in the Live Well..

[Luna Sea 5]

tie off a burlap bag full submerged off your boat.

I tried this.. Doesn't work.. I did this just from a Friday to a Sunday, and everyone one was dead and stinky..

[wb]

I have clams still good in da sack after 4 days, they are still filtering bigtime. Maybe I just got lucky, but not the first time they have kept well ...

I also have deep water and good flow at my slip can't hurt
maybe they're like crabs-- 1 dies then all the rest are toxified   

underway I put them in a bucket or cooler or livewell (pump off) then change the water regularly, seems to work fine

[Luna Sea 5]

I have clams still good in da sack after 4 days, they are still filtering bigtime. Maybe I just got lucky, but not the first time they have kept well ...

I also have deep water and good flow at my slip can't hurt
maybe they're like crabs-- 1 dies then all the rest are toxified   

underway I put them in a bucket or cooler or livewell (pump off) then change the water regularly, seems to work fine

maybe it works for you due to the better flow of water where you are.  That sounds accurate. 

Now, don't put them in your live well, as the purge, they spit out alot of sand and will clog your well.  Not a good idea.  I learned the hard way 3 years ago.

[wb]

Yes, good advice Nick. I always purge the livewell drain with the hose after the trip to prevent any buildup

[275atlantic]

ok thanx for the info i didnt think of that happening

[Skolmann]

Fill a big cooler with ice. Place 2 or 3 bricks under the cooler on the opposite side of the cooler plug. Place live clams in a milk crate. Place milk crate inside of cooler (you can cover the clams with ice at this point if you like) & close lid. Open the plug so the ice melt off can drain out.

The key is keeping the clams out of the ice melt off. I've kept clams alive like this for over a week.