Clam tubes are back breaking? Not in my book. Last year I made my own tubes from PVC pipe and they are WAY faster and easier then the shovel I use to use. I had five clams at once on the sand on one hot spot I hit. BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM, less then 30 seconds. I could not do that with any shovel. I cracked a few at first, but got the knack very fast. As for the back breaking part, SHOVEL: Stomp, Stomp, (show) OH BOY!, Dig, dig, drop to knee, reach in hole, feel around, DANG, dig, dig, reach in hole, CRAP, cut in half. TUBE: Stomp, Stomp, (show) OH BOY!, center tube, push, pull, bend over, toss in bag, YUM. Or maybe insert a WHOOPS, cracked that one. Oh well, I don't eat the shells! What relly sucks is no season until the fall now. Which means hunting or clamming. At least the clams will be everywhere and BIG.