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Hunting in Charleston, SC

is the high water mark when the tides are highest. All metal detecting in the City of Charleston is illegal but the beaches (Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, and Sullivans Island) are okay as long as you stay off of the dunes and private property. There is another island called Morris Island where a famous Civil War battle was fought between the Confederates at Battery Wagner and the all black 54th Mass. Regiment. The movie "Glory" was made about it and it is accessible only by boat. I know that the City of Charleston controls the northern tip of the island and has signs posting it off limits but I'm not sure about the rest of the island now. Lots of relic hunters over the years have hunted it but not sure anymore. Folly Beach has a renourishment program every couple of years or so and that has kind of hurt finding the old stuff. I think Isle of Palms has plans for renourishment as well if they haven't already started. Haven't been over there in quite some time. In fact, I haven't hunted at all in quite a while. Hope to get out soon. Good luck.
Jerry
 
We have serious beach erosion problems here and the renourishment programs replenish the sand lost to erosion by dredging sand back onto the beach from offshore. This usually puts several feet of new sand over what was previouly there. They have been doing this at Folly for quite a few years and it has hurt the detecting here. We used to find all kinds of Civil War relics in addition to old coins and old jewelry on Folly years ago but about the best you can hope for now is recently lost stuff. But gold is gold, just not as much of it anymore. The dunes are higher, soft sand mounds with some vegetation. They are above the high water line and are off limits because they help protect against erosion and are also where sea turtles lay eggs. To further explain about Spring Tides, these are higher than the normal high tides but don't worry about that because at high tide there isn't any beach to walk on anyway. I would start about 2 to 3 hours before low tide and hunt until the tide comes back in and forces you off of the beach.One thing to remember is that most of the front row beach houses are rentals where vacationers stay. So virtually anywhere on the beach can produce good finds. You don't have to stay in any one particular place like piers, or local gathering places. I think some people get too locked in to certain areas just because they have made finds there before. The entire beach is capable of producing good finds. Best of luck and have a great time.
Jerry
 
Jerry - Your explanations make perfect sense! How about searching in the water itself...say knee-deep or so? Seems like that would be a great place to search, too.
 
Hunting in the water can produce good finds but can also be a challenge because of the constantly breaking surf. It's a struggle trying to maintain balance and you can tire very quickly as the water hunters here can tell you. Other things to consider are your equipment. Is your detector waterproof? If not I would avoid the surf. I know the coil is waterproof but the splash from breaking surf and losing your balance and taking a plunge with a non waterproof unit will ruin your day. We also have lots of rip currents here and there have been several drownings lately. If you go into the surf and should get caught by a rip current don't try to swim against it. You will lose. Try not to panic and just stay afloat and ride the current. It won't take you too far out and then you can swim back. If you feel you have to swim out of it then swim parallel to the beach. Once out of the current then swim back in. I don't want to scare you but rip currents will kill you. The very best swimmers are no match for them. Lastly, if you go into the surf, wear some old walking or jogging shoes or something to protect your feet from sharp objects or other things that can hurt you (i.e., stingrays, etc.). Now that I've probably scared you half to death let me say that in all probability you will not encounter these things but you should be prepared.
Jerry
 
All great advice and things I never thought of. We have lakes around here, but obviously don't have to worry about tides and currents. :) I think I'll stick to the sand for sure!
 
Well, like I said, don't let me scare you away from hunting in the water. Just be prepared with the right equipment. Wading knee deep probably wouldn't get you in any trouble with rip currents but trying to keep your balance with the breaking surf will tire you quickly. I think most water hunters like to get out a little deeper where the breakers aren't such a bother but that's also where the rip currents would have the best chance of catching you. If I were you I would save water hunting in the ocean for when you can get with someone experienced at it to help you learn it. It's a different animal altogether. Happy hunting.
Jerry
 
the waves are big, and most of the time they are, just go as far as u can without getting knocked all around, have fun...........hunting in the waves can be a chanllege for anyone.

let me be the first to tell u about the sand..................o m g..........isle of palms sand is the hardest and compacts the fastest of any i have tried to dig in ever, sets up around your scoop and coil and gets HARD, u have to becareful digging in the damp sand for this reason. i broke my first scoop the 2nd day there, had to use backup ............no fun................got it repaired the next day and was back in business.

have fun and good luck

give us a gold report

seeya
 
Spring tides are when tides are highest, full and new moon....You can hunt all SC beaches from spring tide line out, even state parks, and pvt. beaches, but at state parks you must leave all artifacts with the park.....
 
You're sure state parks and private beaches are OK? That thought has me more scared than Jerry's warnings about rip currents. :rofl: Seriously though...I checked their website, and you're right. Personal items (such as jewelry and class rings) must be turned in to the park, too. Thanks for the info!
 
If you go to Folly Beach take a right at the last stop light (about a block before you get to the Holiday Inn, can't miss it) and go all the way to the end. This takes you into one of Charleston Counties parks. There is a ticket booth at the entrance and you can pay for all day parking. Not sure how much though because I have a year round pass and don't pay at the booth. This park has restroom facilities and maybe a snack area. It is used by lots of tourists so you might get lucky there. It's a fairly wide stretch of beach and you can work your way in both directions. If you go north you will find beachfront houses and these are always good areas to work. Just be aware that the beach will be crowded during the day. btw, it has been a good while since I hunted the beaches but I know of no restrictions at any of the three I mentioned. Just be sure to fill your holes in when not in the water. Somebody stepping in one and getting hurt could sure open the door for closing the beach to metal detecting. Thanks and best of luck.
Jerry
 
s/s is more sturdy and much more havier

alum. ...................i like it for damp and shallow water hunting, BUT.............after a spell it oxidizes and turns your hands and anything it rubs again gray, i paint all mine for that reason

come in dia. of like 5"..................6" being the most popular and 7 & 8"

there is a banner guy here.................."nutall" makes a nice mid weight S/S scoop ......................seems to get great reviews, there are 2 in va beach, and both the guys likem................diamond shaped....................go to the top and take a look
 
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