Gear
A short list, honestly kept.
Four things cover almost every trip. Below is the gear worth buying again — no padded roundups. Some links are affiliate links; if you buy through one it may support the site at no cost to you, and it never changes what’s recommended. Full disclosure.
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Clam rake
The one tool that matters. A short-handled basket rake for shallow flats, or a long bull rake if you’re working from a boat or deeper water. Stainless tines last; get a width that matches how soft your bottom is.
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Clam gauge
A cheap metal gauge that tells you instantly whether a clam is legal. Carry it on a lanyard and use it — a fine for shorts costs far more than the gauge. Some towns set the size, so check yours.
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Basket or floating bucket
Something to hold keepers and rinse grit through. A coated-wire basket you can drag, or a floating tube/bucket that follows you on a line, beats a bag every time.
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Waders & gloves
Cold New England water is the limiter on your season. Chest or hip waders extend it by months; cut-resistant gloves save your hands from shell edges. Neither needs to be expensive.
New to it? Start with the guides — tides, licenses, and technique matter more than any single piece of gear.