Bountiful Winter Shellfish
A lot of folks have the misconception that there isn’t much to do on the water in the winter. Well we are here to tell you this couldn’t be any further from the truth! Probably the most overlooked recreational fishery, shellfish harvesting in south east North Carolina is an amazing experience on multiple levels. Not only does our area produce world class oysters, clams and mussels, but it is a ton of fun that can be enjoyed by the entire family (we’ve done it with with everybody from grandparents in their 70’s, to 4 year old kids and everyone in between). Couple this with a success rate of 100% (good luck finding that on any other fishing trip) and ending the day indulging in the freshest seafood possible and you’ll see why we have clients already planning return trips to take advantage of this untapped niche.
Worried about being cold? Well the fully enclosed and heated salon and galley on Civility makes weather a non issue (more about this later)
Here’s what a day of harvesting “marsh gold” looks like:
Just about the only thing you really need for a successful shellfishing trip is a good low tide. Up in the Chesapeake bay and other areas harvesting requires special dredge equipment but our large tide swings essentially drain the marsh twice a day exposing oyster beds and mud banks which hold clams. The only equipment required is a good pair of waterproof boots and rubber gloves (oysters are sharp!!). We usually like to start the trip by cruising up the Intracoastal Waterway towards Figure 8 Island. North Carolina restricts shellfish harvesting around certain high population areas, so the vast marsh systems around Figure 8 Island make for a fantastic scenic cruise on the journey up as well as providing great, clean water essential to harvesting quality shellfish.
After cruising the creeks and scoping out the oyster beds, it’s time to drop the anchor and get to work!
First step is to launch the dinghy, gear up and get to shore! Oysters don’t require anything besides boots and gloves, but clams are hidden just beneath the surface so while they make “clam rakes” which work great, a garden hoe will certainly suffice! Every oyster bed consists of literally THOUSANDS of oysters. The trick is to find and separate “selects” (term referring to preferred restaurant size) from the “clusters” (groups of oysters stuck together) and “spent” (empty) shells. This process is easy enough but certainly gets easier with practice as they all look the same at first glance.
Clams can be found in the same areas but the most effective way to target them in our experience is to look for spent shells around the outer perimeter of the oyster bed and start digging. Clams grow in groups so when you find 1 there’s usually more in the same vicinity. You don’t have to dig deep, usually clams will live 6 inches or so below the surface. The key is to keep moving until you land on them, once you find them it’s amazing how fast you can fill your bushel basket up!
Clams are generally separated into 3 sizes with the smallest (little necks) being the most desirable. Medium sized (cherrystone) are also still tender and delicious steamed or on the half shell while the large (chowder clams) are reserved for chowders and soups.
After some fun in the mud, it’s time to head back to the boat and indulge!
Whether you enjoy them raw (our close proximity to the ocean make for a delicious salty raw bar style!), grilled or on the half shell, you will never find fresher shellfish that tastes even better with the sense of accomplishment gained by working together as a family to produce a 5 star meal.
With Civility boasting hot water, heat, fully stocked galley and restroom, it’s a quick turnaround from harvesting in the marsh to a clean and comfortable feast!
One final perk of the shorter winter days is after harvesting and indulging in the warm afternoon hours, a sunset cruise is the icing on the cake on the way back to town. A great bonding experience perfect for first timers, locals and out of town visitors alike, a day of shellfishing on Civility is an adventure that’ll keep you coming back! Contact us for more details or to book your trip!
