Last time I went Quahoging all three of us did was dig them by hand. You will see small breathing holes, dig and there is probably a clam there. We got a bushel and a half at a time you could take a half bushel for personal use, no license. We sold a bushel, steamed the other half.

Of course, this was in July when it was warm, and I was a mere 18 y/o, a day or three ago.

If you want to get technical, get a clam rake.