Be prepared for summer's sun, humidity, insects, early or late season chilly water, and wind-generated waves at any time. Bring a container for your catch and an inflatable swim ring if you want your container to float. Bivalves have two shell halves that completely enclose the animal. They feed by filtering food particles from the surrounding water with siphon tubes that extend from their bodies. Since each bivalve has a different life-style, techniques for collecting them will vary.
Quahog clams live in the mud and sand bottom of the bay, usually three or four inches deep.
Dig the clams out with a hand towel or small digging tool. Clams must be at least 18 wide. Rakers find clams by dragging the deep tines of special rakes through the mud until the tines scrape a shell. Then the clammer digs up the mud, shakes it loose, and catches the clam in the rake basket. To use a rake, hold the handle behind your back, lean on it, and walk sideways in this way your body does the work instead of just your back.