Making a CLAM GUN

[pyrohobie]

Hi guys-

I work in a RR maintenance manufacturing plant and going out on a charter for clams. What thinking of making a clam gun, Now we have different sizes of thin walled tubing- what would be the min. and the max. and what length you would make the tube.


I'm going to weld the top on the tube with pipe fitting to put the 1/2 pipe handle

I know that it works on vacuum. I'm not a small guy either.

Just thinking that if I make it 5 1/4" ID and about 16" long-it shouldn't break the shell, but would the vacuum be there?

Thanks for the help.

Thanks for the help with the rest of the trip

14th for reds
15th for clams
16th for reds
17th overnight for double halibut.

Hopefully we can figure out the reds without to much problems.

[psychicrhino]

Sounds like a great trip. Good luck and have fun.

[kasilofchrisn]

You do realize how a clam gun works don't you?
In a clam gun the handle is hollow but the ends are sealed.
There is a small hole underneath the handle to allow air out as the gun goes in.
Then you plug the hole with your finger to create the suction.
You would likely need to test it to ensure it works properly.
I like the Aluminum ones as they are much easier to carry.
Please post pics and a report when you get back.
I take it your charter is to the west side of the inlet?
Good luck.

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[AGL4now]

I have a 4.5-14 Veri-X III Leupold on my Clam-Gun, and have taken clams out to 500 Yards.

[mike h]

I would think a Mark AR with firedot would make more sense. But some people always have to see how far away they can kill something.

[Bullelkklr]

I heard tales of paralytic shellfish poisoning maybe at clam gulch area last weekend.

[Daveintheburbs]

I was always interested in making one out of PVC or similar plastic tubing. You see some made this way for sale occasionally. They just cap off the end, put a T handle on it and drill the hole where you can seal it with your thumb. As I recall 4" tube. The standard metal ones always seem to have too short a handle. Let us know how it works.

[kasilofchrisn]

I heard tales of paralytic shellfish poisoning maybe at clam gulch area last weekend.

I am doubtful of it being clam gulch. I hear that beach gets tested regularly.
Guess it still could be.

[FamilyMan]

It actually was clam gulch. I remember reading in the article about the ones they tested, something like "f & g caught and tested clams" and my first thought was not about the result. I was surprised they found clams there at all. Whoever named it did that beach no favor...

[pyrohobie]

OK-What I'm looking at is 5 1/4" thin walled tubing. Putting a 11gauge top on it with a 1/2 hole-to fit the 1/2" pipe(handle)-

How long do you think the 5 1/4" pipe should be? I'm thinking about 18"- 24"

Also- do you think using a clam knife for cleaning or I seen on you tube a quick steam bath to open them(question is availability)

We are going out with Ninilchik.

Do you think we stand a chance with the reds? My son has aspergers(you wouldn't know it though)- he is fired up and is not going to let anything to stop this time.

Thanks for all the help

[FamilyMan]

yes on reds

Do you think we stand a chance with the reds? My son has aspergers(you wouldn't know it though)- he is fired up and is not going to let anything to stop this time.

This is looking to be a banner year for those sockeyes. You and your son should do well if you mind the timing. Those salmon are there when they're there and otherwise not. Salmon run timing historical escapement numbers are easy to find online.

Great job getting your son out. He sounds like a lucky kid.

[kasilofchrisn]

Last time we went we got out my turkey fryer/crab boil pot and burner.
Loaded the basket AMD dipped in boiling water for just a few seconds.
Then in ice water.
They all opened up and no knife needed.
100 clams opened in seconds.

[dandeo2003]

We always put our clams in a cooler with fresh water and dump corn meal all over them. Dump and repeat a couple times about 30 to 45 mins apart. Never had any problem "shucking" them out of their shells with a knife so we never tried the boiling water thing. The corn meal helps them push out any sand they have in them and makes them easier to clean in the end.

I would say a tube about 20 to 24 inches should be long enough. When you do the handle I would keep in mind how far you want to bend over (inserting into dirt) and how high you want to lift with the suction fighting you and make the handle length accordingly. One thing I recommend you keep in mind is the strength of the joint where the handle meets the tube body. Regardless of how hard I have tried to make sure I am pushing and pulling a clam gun straight both ways I still tend to put pressure on it at an angle and end up bending the joint.

Have fun with the clamming and fishing, may you have an enjoyable safe and rememberable trip. Good luck with the harvesting and catching, may your freezer end up as full as your memories!

[anchskier]

I am doubtful of it being clam gulch. I hear that beach gets tested regularly.
Guess it still could be.

It was Clam Gulch. It wasn't from their testing, it was from an individual who reported the illness after eating clams from there.

[kasilofchrisn]

It was Clam Gulch. It wasn't from their testing, it was from an individual who reported the illness after eating clams from there.

I actually read an article on it and you are absolutely correct.
I am surprised though as I was always under the impression that Clam Gulch was tested regularly and this is the first case I have heard of from the peninsula.

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