First Water hunt coming up soon...

[LittleJohn]

So far I have only ever hunted dry land. I recently traded a machine that saw very limited use, for a like new 1280X Fisher Aquanaut and ordered my scoop to go with it. Never having been in the water this will be a whole new learning experience for me and I'm pretty sure it will be interesting to say the least.

Anyone have suggestions which may shorten the learning curve a bit? The do's...the don'ts and even machine specific tips or tricks? I have a place in mind where I plan to start detecting, it's a local park that has a nice big beach and detecting the water is permitted.

It see's plenty of action from memorial to labor day. A friend of mine lost his wedding band there and rented a water machine to go look for it. His daughter found it after about a half hour of searching..along with two other rings....so I am thinking this place may be a good spot for me to start learning this part of the hobby.

Looking for any advice or tips...as I am walking into this blindly. Thanks

LittleJohn

 

[mudpuppy]

Hey LJ! Scroll down this page to my post on Norm Garnush...hit the link Sonnar provided and commence reading as much of it as you can...you will learn a lot and get inspired as well...better save the link to your "favorites" its great to read some every now and then..
Mud

 

[LittleJohn]

Checked it out and it's a very good site indeed. Lots of information and good reading there. Seems like a lot of lookers on here but no one has much to say.

LittleJohn

 

[hershey1]

Go slow and dig every target. Use a nickel to test with as they sound very close to what gold does. Good luck and may the treasure gods be with you. HH

 

[mudpuppy]

Water hunting is very different than dry ground...Its hard to try to give solid advice other than generalities you probably already know...one thing that I will say that you MIGHT remember when you blow out your elbow...DONT FIGHT the WATER! Its hard not to though, it takes a good deal of effort to just slow down and relax and get a steady pace going. You try forcing the coil through the water, and buddy, you will remember what Ol' Mud told you! It can be very boring and a long time between signals, you will know pretty fast if anybody has detected there or not...go off to the side if the main area is clean...you start finding older gray colored pulltabs and lead sinkers and you got to concentrate..and dig it all to learn your new machine..
I usually sweep the dry very quickly for fresh drops, then head into the water to cool off and slow down. Theres just so much to beach or water hunting its hard to put it in words in a short reply, that's why those writings of Norm's should come in handy...every thing you need to know is in there.
Mud

 

[Water wizard]

Mud is right! Go slow! Try to overlap each sweep, keep the coil flat on the bottom for the whole length of the swing. Gold will be deeper than the other targets most lightly, dig the quiet soft signals. Use common sense, if the target is massive, with a large footprint then it's a can or something large. When you find some coins search that area around it really well. It's a pocket that has flipped inside out and all the stuff in the pocket will be around that area. If you find a necklace that's open search around for the pendant, if you find a pendant search for the necklace. don't look down as you are wading and searching, look to something in the distance and use it to walk in a straight line. The. You can turn and walk back so you can grid out the area you are searching. When you get a signal x it then place your right foot to one side of the target. Put the scoop next to your foot and dig. Lift the scoop away, check the hole for the target. It's easy to loose a signal in the water, It takes practice to recover targets from water, enjoy the hunt even if you don't find much, concentrate on learning a good technique, not so much on finding cool stuff. The finds will come once you've got the technique down. Good luck post your finds WW

 

[LittleJohn]

Im sure it will be quite different from the relic hunting and coinshooting I am used to. I appreciate ya'alls advice and I will certainly take it to heart. Not sure when the first voyage will be, but I'll post up results when I do get the new detector wet. You can most likely expect a fishing sinker or three and maybe a soda can...so stay tuned..ha ha

 

[Scoopshaker]

Boy, its been years since I sold my 2 1280,s. I went to the CZ-20 which I keep now as a backup for my Excal.

BUT, to the point. Set your disc at 1. That takes care of the constant low iron grunts.
sensitivity about 5-7. No more or you start getting false signals. You'll have plenty of depth, don't worry.
I always liked the silent operation, who needs a "honeybee" humming in your ear all the time.

Sweep slow, take your time, and be very sure to overlap each sweep. If you get behind a hot dog racing along, don't worry, he will miss plenty for you to find.

Main thing, have fun, relax.
I have always thought of an early morning water hunt as "healing my soul", its so enjoyable. Now go have a ball !!

 

[LittleJohn]

The 1280 showed up today, and the water scoop showed up yesterday so now it's just a matter of finding a good spot to learn it.

LittleJohn

 

[paul059]

First segret!!!!!!
DIGGING EVERY SOUND, ALSO BAD SOUND....
MANY TIME'S A BAD SOUND ,GIVE ME A GREAT GOLD....

 

[stilpony]

Little John, I'm getting my 1280x on Saturday, so we'll be in the same boat!!! GL brother! I'm sure we'll have some great stories to swap on here, along with a few laughs! (and hopefully a pirate's bounty!)

HH

Pony