Clams. How do I get em' Where do I go?

[Xfire2149]

So I understand clams are a great bait for stripers and they are soon headed this way. Where and how do I get them? Bait shop aside. I'd like to know how to get them on my own without buying them. Now, I'm not opposed to buying them but to put things in perspective I love getting my own live bunker and spearing so clams are a natural part of the process.
I went online today and secured a shellfish license so that part is taken care of. Here's a little tidbit of admin info I learned today and would like to share for those who qualify and don't already know: As I was set to buy a $10 shellfish license I notice the free licenses for NJ residence who are disabled veterans. I have to be one of those so I called the number and the kind lady walked me through the process. I scanned in copies of my VA letter, DD-214, drivers license, and Hunter safety card. I was awarded with nearly $200 worth of free fishing and hunting licenses. Of course I had to fill out a child support affidavit. I'll never make that connection but what the hey.......Where's the clams? Rakes or toes? whats the deal??

[Bucktail]

Can't tell you the best place to get clams because that's not my thing.  When you got your license they should have given you a chart showing where you can and can't harvest clams.

As far as the child support affidavit, it was added on as a way to punish dead beat dads.  I.e., if you don't pay your child support you shouldn't be allowed to spend money on a license to go fishing or hunting.  Probably a better idea in theory than it is in practice.

[Hotrod]

ShopRite 

[Duffman]

When you got the license did you get the classification report with it?

If not here it is:http://www.nj.gov/dep/bmw/waterclass.htm

Shows the different areas opened or closed on where to harvest.

Personally, id rather buy than dig, and don't clam in the fall.

[BigAl13]

I buy mine straight from the clammer in Belford, Reno's the name Clammings his game 

[Hunter 2]

Clamming is more a a spring bait for Stripers.  Live eels work better in the fall along with jigging and trolling

[Still Running]

 

[cricker]

i do some clamming in great bay and around summers point, it can be alot of work especially when your not sure what sandbars are worth clamming and which ones aren't, i prefer using a rake, also, the hard clams you catch in the bay are a lot smaller than the surf clams you buy, so if your the type that likes to glob on a hunk of bait for stripers you'll probably end up using 2 per bait

[wb]

KMB, but only in the spring

gimme a burley burlap bagfull.