Any pointers on doing a little recreational oyster harvesting?
I have a saltwater license and am aware of the limits and locations of state and recreational shellfish grounds. However, I’ve never actually gone out and collected my own. Just looking to get a half bushel or so.
Do any of you have advice on what to look for when scouting spots to find good oysters? Is there a certain level within the tide shift that grows the best oyster, or can you just get some from anywhere on a bank?
sorry if some of this has been answered in the archives. The search feature isn’t working right now.
The above video covers the bases pretty good.
As for gloves, get a pair of Kevlar “cut-proof” gloves. Leather gloves won’t do you much good. I like to use a long straight blade screwdriver to cull my oysters in place, if they are being stubborn, I will flip the screwdriver over and use the plastic handle like a mallet and strike the cluster at the point where they are joined, usually they will break apart easier after a whack or two.
Gloves - I’ve tried everything (leather, Kevlar, “cut-proof” fillet gloves, etc.), and nothing works any better than the latex dipped knit gloves from Lowes. $5 for three pairs. A pair will last through about 20 bushels. Get a firm grip before pulling. Slipping and running your hand over an oysters serrated edges will slice through any glove.
Culling Iron - I use a pry bar from Royall Hardware. Its just a flat piece of 1/4" steel, about 18" long, 1" wide, with one end flattened to an edge and a 90-degree angle at the other. It has some nice heft for knocking off dead shell and smaller oysters, and the flattened end works well for prying clusters apart.
Boots - Don’t wear anything nice. The soles will get cut up pretty quick. I use cheap rubber boots from Walmart, but old tennis shoes will work if you’re not picking a lot. Make sure they’re on TIGHT. The mud will suck loose shoes right off your feet and leave you barefooted on a bed of razorblades. The results are bloody, trust me.
As for where to find good oysters, I’ve yet to notice any discernable reason as to why one bank will have better oysters than another. You just have to cruise the shoreline and look for them. Pull up every 50 yards or so and get out and pick a few. Often a bank that looks bad from the boat will look a lot better when you start picking, or vice versa. The bigger oysters are usually up higher, closest to the grass, but a good bank will have big oysters all the way down to the low tide mark. Take a map with you and be SURE you are on state or recreational ground, not on someone’s (my) private lease. Also keep an eye on your boat. Its easy to lose track of time while picking and leave your boat high and dry on a falling tide.
There’s no real science to it. You’ll get muddy and probably bleed a little, but the payoff is worth it.
I’m glad to see that someone is watching the video that I made! There is nothing better than enjoying a South Carolina oyster that you picked yourself.