Broke in my AT/Pro today at the river

[fongu]

I went to the river about 1 pm and stayed until 4 pm and broke in my AT/Pro. I only found 43 cents in clad and some pop tops and in one scoop I pulled up a marble with a penny. The coil is very sensitive and I lowered my sensitivity 2 bars, but it really got crazy if my scoop got too close or if I bumped it on the bottom of the river or my boot. I found a quarter right at 8 inches with it. The water was up and muddy from the rain we had this week and I really struggled with it. After all the bench testing and playing with the coil and pin pointing with the front or back tip of the coil, I thought I would just run amok at the river, but I got some more learning to do. The main problem I had in getting where I wanted to in the water was the fact that I had to get in water up to my elbows and it was so cold I had to retreat back about waist deep water. I had on my chest waders and under armor, but when I put my lower arms in the water, I almost froze. I also had a harder time in the deeper water positioning my scoop and had to constantly scoop many times for one target and it just wore me out. I would touch my coil with my boot and line the scoop up with my boot and use it that way, but I realize visual observation spoils us when we can't see what we are doing and have to feel for everything. I'm heading back next week and keep on applying lessons learned today and get the hang of my At/Pro. I really wanted to find some jewelry in the deeper water, but no luck. It's crappie fishing time and these people fly by in their boats and the wake almost knocked me off my feet several times. Do you run your iron audio all the time in the standard mode? I switched back and forth today. I really expected to do better but it's true that you learn more in the field than air testing and bench testing. I'm still pumped about this metal detector and look forward to my next visit to the river. I also learned to ground balance this unit because when I first got into the water it went nuts and it really helped. I'm open to any and all suggestions about water hunting with the AT/Pro. HH.

 

[Trackerman]

Cool congrats on the hunt. Water hunting is a bit tough get yourself a good digger and hunt pro mode zero 35 to get the goodies and get used to the higher performance of the machine.
Reduce sensitivity as needed good luck and happy hunting

 

[grumpysrb]

I found that tabs run almost constantly at 55 to 57 on the vdi. Nickles give a mid-tone and give a 51-52 on the vdi. Bottle tops give a high tone but the vdi number bounces at least a little. If you use the pro mode they will give a tone roll. Getting a tone when you bump the coil is normal. You can try extending the rod a little more.

 

[mudpuppy]

You really did! I'm happy for you as I was hoping you'd meet with some success and you DID! I also drop the sens since these At's are hot around the scoop or anything else for that matter. I stay in pro mode zero with iron audio on, 25 disc, and only as much sens as I can take in an area depending on the target depth, bottom configuration and amount of trash. I also sort of pull my scoop towards me as if it were a hoe instead of a shovel. Some targets are not too deep depending upon how the bottom got eroded or whatnot..and sometimes sand or mud is deep over the targets, so I adjust the sens depending upon how my feet feel the bottom to be...you can use the current, in that river if there is any to help you get comfortable for a less stressful hunt...water hunting is hard unless a guy doesn't fight it and just relaxes, still, water hunting is hard! All that gear is heavy, waders, no visibility, but you have a great chance for gold, and thats why we do it!.
Mud

 

[nugget71]

The cold water can be a biatch and can take some of the enjoyment away as well as making it very frustrating but you did well to persist. I hunt in Pro coin mode with iron audio on and has worked well for me so far. As time goes on and you become more familiar with the ATP you will love it even more. The good targets will roll in before you know it. Best of luck with your treasure hunting!
Cheers!

 

[ba5online]

Thanks for telling us your experience. Been thinking about a water hunt. Need a scoop. Good Hunting!

 

[John-Edmonton]

In the water I run my iron audio as much as I can stand....and usually dig most signals. Lot's of junk masking good targets in the water......

Good luck!

 

[fongu]

Thanks everybody. John, you're right about junk targets masking a good target. I was getting multiple hits yesterday and put the iron audio on and there were two pieces of iron and a dime in the middle and I got the dime. I thought I would post a photo of the cool marble I found. It came up in the scoop with a penny.
[attachment 256809 riverphotos005Custom.jpg] [attachment 256811 riverphotos006Custom.jpg]

 

[mickfin]

Im thinking the AT-Pro is preety Hot to find a Marble LOL