There are a few things that might help your shelling experience.

Angela White, vice president of the Grand Strand Shell Club

• Go early. The earlier you go to the beach, the better chance you will have of getting the best shells before the beach gets too crowded.

• Watch the tides. Usually, the best shell hunting is just before and after low tide. However, you never really know what time a good shell will turn up.

• Don’t forget the wrack line. That’s the high-tide mark where ocean debris, including shells, are left behind. The wrack line is a great place to search for both shells and shark’s teeth. 

• Shell up a storm. Storms and rough seas can actually bring more shells onto the beach. While it’s not advisable to shell during thunderstorms or dangerous conditions, if you can head to the beach after a storm, you may find some great shells.

• Cold weather shelling. Summer is obviously the peak season for people to come to the beach, which means more people shelling. However, during the off season, when the temps are colder, the lack of crowds and turbulent waters can make your trip to the beach worthwhile.

• Leave them if they're live. If you do find a shell and it’s occupied, leave it. 

• Bring something to carry all those shells. While you can always invest in a mesh bag to hold your beach finds, making sure you at least have something to carry home your shells is a good plan. A strong bag, such as a backpack will work.  Also recommended is a scooper to avoid having to bend over so much.