Collecting Other Shellfish

Moon Snail

Moon Snails are commonly eaten as Scungilli. They are sometimes very common offshore; more than that I can't say.



Conch

Large Whelks are sometimes eaten as Conch, but these are most often collected in bay waters.






clam

Clams live beneath the surface of the sand and would be difficult for a diver to collect.






Oysters are also found in shallow bay waters. Oyster diving in the Chesapeake Bay is a wintertime way to get in the water.


goody bag

Goody bags come in several lengths and sizes, but three feet ( yellow mesh ) is by far the handiest and most popular size. Bigger bags are too much of an encumbrance, and if filled to capacity, say with mussels, become too heavy to safely carry underwater.

Goody bags come in a variety of materials. Open nylon mesh is the most common and drains instantly when you exit the water. It is also the best for dragging mussels behind the boat. Canvas is good for spearfishing, as it keeps the fish slime off you, yet still drains reasonably well. It can also have a calming effect on your prey, resulting in less thrashing about. Of course, with a canvas bag, it is more difficult to admire your catch during your hang at the end of the dive. Nylon cloth is used for small tool bags. It is the strongest of all, but drains very poorly. A large nylon bag full of water is a very heavy load to drag up a dive boat ladder.

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