[size=large]The very best way is go watch the competition on the beach's you will be hunting. There style, the machines there using, scoops.. where they hunt, if there digging treasure...give it time, not two or three times...over a month period during peak hunting times, like low tides. Take Binoculars! watch them "Like A Hawk".........The books are great also, but the person who wrote them more then likely is not in your area and Beach's can vary from one to the next. One last thing, when you head out to the beach for the first time don't be afraid to talk to the local hunters, most will share information in a conversation about who found what where, where they found this, and last year don found gold on the lake. Even make friends.............I have to say I have learned alot from talking to different hunters over the years, reading the forums and just getting out n having fun....Best of Luck to you, and by the way make sure you turn your machine off way before you get near another hunter, one thing you don't want them to remember you by...........................joe[/size]