Questions about sea clams

[capt_ben]

I went to Long Bay Point today and picked up 3 dozen Sea Clams to go drumming with. Well this was the first time buying "fresh" sea clams. More than half were opened which we pointed out and the guy said oh I'll mention it to so and so inside. Well he never did but Rudy came inside and told the guy at the counter and his response was...they are all dead and have to be treated like fresh seafood. We asked about them being rotten or anything like that and we were told that those are the same clams Campbells Soup uses. Ok we say, they must be ok. WRONG! Over half of the clams were plain out rotten! I just dont know if it is common practice to sell dead/ rotten clams. Any help?

Capt_Ben
Above Average Sportfishing

[ESfishdoc]

They do stink. When I buy them in the shell I would expect most of them to be open. Did I mention they stink. As long as they have enough fortitude for the foot to stay on a hook they are fine.

Now, sometimes you are going to get clams that are fresher than others..... if you get them when the truck comes in or you buy those same clams 5 days later.... they are going to stink even more.... tonight I was using clams that were about a week old and I water logged them... they caught fish.

If you are used to chowders and having them all nice and tight and closed and smelling springtime fresh, sea clams may be intimidating.

Richard

[den]

dude I have had rotten clams. But you are good to go! dont worry about it except for the stank

[striper_on]

Ain't nothing like rotten clam juice in the morning. Bring on the stink drum don't care

[cuhollow]

Sea clams aren’t supposed to be food quality. I didn’t think they were edible when they are alive. It is pretty common for them to be sold dead and the drum don't seem to mind a bit. I buy the shucked variety that come in a bag to minimize the stink and mess but other like to chum with the shells.

[Al B]

Look at the color, they should have some orange to them. If they're pale white, and the muscles come away from the shell easily, they're on the rotten side. Obviously, you want the ones that have color.

If you do get'em on the rotten side, shuck them and salt them w/kosher salt... it'll toughen them up a bit for the hook. We bought 2 bushels for the tournament on Friday afternoon (they'd arrived earlier that day from NJ). I shucked what was left on Monday night and salted them. I don't know if another shipment made it south from Jersey since last week (the same company supplies Chris' on the Shore, LBP, Sam Rust Seafood)... so the clams you bought may be from the same dig on Thursday of last week.

[ccx2]

If fresh they are fine to eat, and they smell like CLAMS.............NOT THE BEARDED KIND.

[b8 boy]

We have had the same experience at that tackle shop. If they are alive and fresh they should be closed. Unless you are the perfered customers at that establishment it seems you can have the dregs that nobody else wants. We didnt find out till we were all the way out at the tower a couple years ago and we were very upset. They did nothing to make up for it when we complained. Rich or poor I expect the same quality or service at any retail outlet. Its a shame. Martin

PS: We dont shop there any longer.

[cantgetenough]

i fished with ben and those clams were mostly on the pail white, soft and mushy, i expected them to be dead but fresh was a long time ago. I have had all bad experiences buying good bait for a decent price at long Bay and dont plan on returning unless i have to.

[capt_ben]

No need to sugar coat the preferred customers. Money is money if that is what their after. Ill either keep mine or give it to someone else before I give any more to Long Bay.

BTW In case you all dont know...Bubba's really does have some great deals and is the cheapest ice bait and tackle on the water. Not affiliated what so ever.

Capt_Ben
Above Average Sportfishing