Help - Just getting started

[benzgolf]

I'm going to Hilton Head Island in about a month. My wife bought me a new metal detector that I would like to try. I have a lot of questions.
When is the best time to hunt on the beach? What part of the beach?
Accessories - Should I buy headset? If yes, what is reccommended?
Sand scoop - Aluminum or stainless? Long or short handle?
How deep do you typically dig?
Any other tips?

 

[Bottomfeeder]

n/t

 

[benzgolf]

Bounty Hunter - Scout

 

[Sanddigger]

Best time - early morning - that way you don't get too hot and very little crowd. Then late in evening.

I started in all dry sand with Radioshack, White's and then got a minelab and went to wet sand. I am not sure about your brand. Others can answer that issue.

Definitely headset. Wind, jets, people and all other noises will interfer hearing the sounds. You will understand your detector better with headset. I again had a White's and now a Troy brand, but any is better than none.

Scoops - Ha - My husband made a scoop from an old feed and seed scoop that are used in those bins. He cut out screen and holes small enough so dimes would not fall through. Then, I used a long handled one, clumsy. Now, I use a folding army shovel. Scoop in dry and shovel in damp.

I have dug 12 or more inches. Sometimes, I quit out of frustration and move on.

ONE LAST IMPORTANT HINT ----DIG EVERYTHING. You never know and it helps to learn your machine. Also, throw away all the trash to help the environment. Good luck and let us know what you find!

PS Where do you hail from?

 

[Bottomfeeder]

Nobody wants a guy walking around beeping and honking constantly, which is what you'd be doing without earphones. The machine you have might do pretty well up in the dry sand, etc.
I doubt that it would do a whole lot (might be WRONG), over wet sand. Give it a try.
You wont need a top of the line scoop right off the bat, I'd go with a mid range aluminum shorter model.
If your'e up on the sand, you really don't need to drag a four and a half footer around. Whatever you go with, get a sturdy one. I'd stay away from the ones with the mesh wire bottoms, not very sturdy in my opinion.
Don't wander around in the middle of the crowd at the beach, go down there when its more empty, and you won't get bothered so much with kids, jerks, etc.
Good luck, and have fun.

 

[Bottomfeeder]

Fill your holes in, just takes a few seconds, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, if you do happen to find a nice item, DON'T GO WAVING IT AROUND!!!
You'll have fifteen people claiming they lost it, and you'll probably end up losing it.
I like to tell all the new guys, "Your worst enemy is one inch under your nose"

 

[Bobbie]

They are federally protected endangered species so watch for signs, areas with fencing and keep a distance from the dunes.

 

[benzgolf]

Thanks for the input. I'm from Pittsburgh

 

[Steve and Bia]

n/t