The easiest way is to network, and connect with people through your current network.
That being said, I used to be a recruiter before I ventured into the startup world. There is no reason to not use a recruiter, sure, many of them may call you, email you, "spam" you and not produce any results for you.
But who cares, you are looking for a job, this is your career, your life, and your job plays a big part in that.
What is the big loss? You have to speak to 49 recruiters (a big exaggeration) before finding the one who finds you your dream job?
Oh no... you had to answer a phone and speak for a while.
Who gives a crap.
If you really want to manage them, get a cheap pre-paid phone and a throw away email address.
There is a real bad reputation out there for recruiters, and the truth is some of it is well deserved, as they are generally hungry sales people.
But that doesn't take away from the fact that they spend their entire work week every week, working with companies who could have the potential to give you your dream job.
Also, it snot about the individual recruiter. Recruiters have access to resources from their ENTIRE COMPANY. This could potentially be hundreds of reps. Its an army of people with incentive to find you a job that you like, and it doesn't cost you anything.