Busted clams, problem?

[TwoDocks]

My first time chumming with surf clams was last Sunday. I bought a 1/2 bushel of clams and when I took them out to open and mix a slurry, I found that at least 1/2 of them had their shells cracked/crushed. Now, it seems to me that if you purchase clams, you would certainly like to have them all to be alive. I don't want to post the place where I bought them because I wanted to get some feedback as to either let it go, talk to the man, or is it normal when you purchase them to get them cracked when they are culled into those burlop bags.??

[upchuck]

You'll usually get some broken shells, half is too many I think. I'd say something to the seller. My 2 cents.:D

[WETDREAM]

BUSTED UP CLAMS IS NORMAL.. Sorry for the caps. The shells are rather soft and break easy. Use the broken ones for chum. Use the whole closed fresh ones for hooks. Its not the bait shops fault. Its normal. Thats why stripers like em. cause they get busted up easily in the rough surf and the striper can get to em. I don't think stripers can bust open a closed one with their mouths like a drum can. I think a half bushel burlap bag would have about 1/4 broken. hopefull less though.

[TwoDocks]

Thanks for the replies. I did use the broken ones for the chum and the whole ones for the hooks. Unfortunately I couldn't buy a striper on Sunday.

[TheGeneral]

My first time chumming with surf clams was last Sunday. I bought a 1/2 bushel of clams and when I took them out to open and mix a slurry, I found that at least 1/2 of them had their shells cracked/crushed. Now, it seems to me that if you purchase clams, you would certainly like to have them all to be alive. I don't want to post the place where I bought them because I wanted to get some feedback as to either let it go, talk to the man, or is it normal when you purchase them to get them cracked when they are culled into those burlop bags.?? Maybe alittle to many broken ones:( , I'd inform the seller of that,in a nice manner;) , maybe he will give you a few extra next time:p . Sunday was a difficult:mad: , closed mouth day. no one else did that great. Keep chumming:D . Haig

[zar2754]

half is too many... a few is fine.

[truckman]

Don't let that bother you if you read Capt Harv's post you would use them for chunks along with the shells that you throw over board. I never go with out at least a bushel of clams, because if you pull them behind the boat you will use up a bushel. We used a bushel and a half sunday for our catch and I always chunk just like you do with bunker.

[R & R]

Depends...Were they broken & smellie or just broken but fresh. I myself have had some of my tough guy friends try & carry 2 bushels at a clip to the boat only to drop them several times. There was plenty of brokenin those bags. Ifthey were still fresh no harm just easier to shuck.

[pier47grady]

Not a stripper pro, offshore for me. But I did go out last weekend. Got a bussel from "my girls", and did have a few dead clams and a few broken clams. But90% were great, and again not a expert on clam bait but a 10% dead lose was fine with me. And the broken ones and dead ones were fresh. We chummed them. Did us no good last week. One keeper but I fished with a few stripper proes and they were happy we got even one keeper. They said before we left while the fish are getting busy up the rivers it will be slow. After the spawn The drum will be here and the post spawn stripers will be thick and hungry! They said its late this year but may 12th for some reason (again offshore guy) will start the big fish shot? I get my bait from tates but got it from my girls this time and still will go to tates but my girls bait was thumbs up. 90% great clams. 10% broken or dead. Again no pro on clams but can not fault anyone. the bait was great we just missed the bite. Our fault!

[SNAKE EYES]

i would bet most got broken in transit, as posted above, unless they smell extremley nasty they find the hook. remember , once on the hook they go back in the water , how long do they live out of the shell and on a hook anyhow... dont fret , use em if there are fish around they'll bite...dave