Striped Bass Clamming
The conventional rod and reel combo we recommend for targeting striped bass on clams features a 7′ fast to extra-fast rod and a reel a fast retrieve that is capable of handling 30lb braid. This is a very versatile conventional outfit and is perfect for nearly all clamming applications. Though a levelwind is convenient, it acts to reduce the sink-rate of the rig (undesirable). Star drag reels are preferred because of the ease with which they can be put in and out of gear.
We recommend loading the reel with 30lb braid. Braided line is preferred over mono because the thin line diameter allows for the fastest sinking action and a more vertical presentation (critical). The lack of stretch ensures that the angler feels even the slightest pickup.
When sinker bouncing, the braided line is attached to 3ft length of 50lb fluorocarbon leader using a 75lb 3-way swivel. A 4-5ft length of 30lb mono with is also attached to the 3-way swivel and to the desired sinker. Only use a sinker just large enough to hold the bottom. This will ensure the best possible presentation.
When flat-lining (anchored and floating clams back behind the boat in a current, a 75lb barrel swivel is used to connect the braided line to the fluorocarbon leader. If the current is very strong, a small egg sinker can be tied into the line above the swivel.
Anglers can choose to use either 7/0 offset octopus (beak) style hooks or 5/0 to 7/0 circle hooks. Circle hooks are recommended when there are a lot of undersized fish and for flat-lining. Octopus hooks are typically preferred when sinker bouncing.
A fish flipper Release Tool should be used to ensure that all the fish were returned quickly and safely to the water. This tool allows the angler to release any lip hooked fish with ever touching it. It eliminates the chance that the angler will be hooked and minimizes wear and tear on the fish.
Striped Bass Tackle Checklist – Clamming
- 7′ fast-extra fast conventional rod rated for 30lb braid
- Conventional star drag reel capable of handling 30lb braid
- 30lb braided line
- 50lb fluorocarbon leader
- 75lb barrel swivel and/or 75lb 3-way swivel
- 7/0 offset octopus (beak) style hook
- 5/0 – 7/0 offset circle hook
- Fish flipping/release tool
Please contact us if you have questions about our recommendations!
Tackle Recommendations
 | Penn Ally Boat Rods Inshore casting (conventional) and spinning rods - 7' - multiple models suitable for 10-40lb mono and 10-50lb braid - fast to extra-fast actions - 1 piece tubular glass blank construction with solid glass tip - Fuji aluminum oxide guides - Pac Bay roller guides (on select models) - Heavy duty reel seats - EVA Torque foregrips - Aluminum gimbals Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon |  |  |
 | Shimano Teramar Northeast Inshore Casting Inshore conventional rod - 6'6" to 7'6" - multiple models suitable for 12-50lb braid or mono - medium to fast actions - lure weights from 1/2oz to 6oz Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Penn Fathom Star drag conventional reel (no level wind) - models rated for 10-50lb mono and 15-80lb braid - 6:1 gear ratio - 5 ball bearings - HT100 drag washers Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy direct from Amazon | | |
 | Penn Torque Conventional Star drag conventional reel (no level wind) - models rated for 10-50lb mono and 15-80lb braid - 6:1 gear ratio - 7 ball bearings - HT100 drag washers Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Shimano Torium Star drag conventional reel (no level wind) - models rated for 14-50lb mono and 40-100lb braid - 6.2:1 gear ratio - 3 ball bearings - aluminum frame and side plates Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy direct at Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Fireline Braid Braided line - virtually no stretch - moss green color - very thin line diameter - available 6 to 80lb test and 110, 300, and 1500 yard spools Learn more and buy at Berkley Learn more and buy at Amazon |  | |
 | Mustad Circle Hook 39951NP-BN - Opti-Angle Needle Point, chemically sharpened, Nor-Tempered, Z-Shaped offset secures plastic, fine wire, extra wide bend, black nickel Learn more and buy on Amazon | |
 | Mustad Beak Bait Hook 92553NP-BN - Opti-Angle Needle Point, chemically sharpened, Nor-Tempered, forged, reversed, extra strong, turned up tapered eye - Octopus style Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Mustad Rolling Swivel 77900 - Black Rolling Swivel w/round eye - available sizes/rating: 4/144lb, 6/118lb, 8/104lb, 9/77lb, 10/70lb, 12/49lb, and 14/42lb |
 | Yo-Zuri Fluorocarbon Leader Fluorocarbon leader - invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear and disappearing pink colors - 4-200lb test and 30/100yd spools Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Yo-Zuri TopKnot Fluorocarbon Leader Fluorocarbon leader - additional abrassion resistance, lower diameter, invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear and disappearing pink colors - 8-200lb test and 30/100yd spools Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
 | Berkley Prospec Leader Fluorocarbon leader - invisible, durable, max knot/crimp strength - clear, blue, pink, brown colors - 20-200lb test and 25/33/75/100yd coils Learn more and buy at Tackle Direct Learn more and buy on Amazon | | |
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