Is the surf lane or dry land better for a beginner?

[johnwon]

I just got my Tiger Shark on Fathers Day and had not had much chance to try it other than an hour here or there. I'm new to the hobby and plan on running it both on the Atlantic Coast and in playgrounds. I was at the beach for a couple hours this morning before the family work up and was finally able to get the ground balance set so that it was stable in the salt. I'm not quite ready to enter the surf more than ankle deep with it as I don't have a good scoop for in the water... I'm looking for some opinions on whether you find it more beneficial to walk the water ankle deep during a low tide, where the high tide normally comes to or up in the always dry sand... I worked a small area of the beach this morning and tried all three and found a lot of iron low on the beach and coins in the soft sand. I know that gold's going to take a while to come across - where would you recommend a beginner start for the best results while really learning the machine?

Thanks!
John

 

[PaPa-Joe-Fla.]

I prefer waist to chest deep, it helps keep you cool in the hot Fl. sun. At low tide if you hunt past chest deep you are in an area that would be over everyones head at high tide and few donors go out over there heads, unless they are surfing. It is personal preference as to where you hunt, some like the shallow and wet sand. Put in the hours and cover as much area as possible, and take a little time to watch where the crowds are at in the water. Watch for cuts in the beach, and washouts, but be careful of riptides. good luck and HH.

 

[Floridabill]

I also like the water ankle to chest deep, like they say hunt the dry and wet sand the jewelry store is getting ready to open, enter the water and the store has just opened.... good luck

 

[johnwon]

Thanks for the advice. I'll look for a scoop so that I can try in the water.

 

[gmanlight]

Hi john being a beginner or having a new detector ( even a land only ) I would and do go in dry sand first and get in some easy digging ( Dig All )

You can try different tuning setups get use to the tones and pinpointing Then try it in the shallows

It all changes in waist deep water, fewer targets and a wave or two slapping you in the ear

Good Luck

 

[Dig]

OK...Here's my advice and I say this as a still new to the hobby detectorist (@ 3 months). First thing, take the time to bench test your machine. Get a gold ring,a silver ring, a bottle cap, a quarter, and so on down the list of whatever you might find on your beaches, and lay them down in your yard and learn the different tones your machine produces. I started hunting in the dry sand and slowly worked my way in the water. You usually get fewer hits in the water but when you do they are typically decent ones. The water is where the majority of the treasure is (IMHO) but, I have talked with a few guys here who are dry sanders who do very well. Start simple and give yourself achievable goals. Don't just walk down the beach for miles like I did when I started. Pick an area and give yourself some land based landmarks as guides and then really pound that small area. Make sure you buy a good stainless scoop for your water hunts...very important. Fill your holes and remove your trash and don't forget to have fun with it. Good Luck..cant wait to see your first piece of treasure

 

[johnwon]

The Stainless scoop is next on my list... need to let the price shock of the detector wear off with my wife first .

 

[SK8CRIMINAL]

i'm quite new to the whole detecting hobbie. i just recently had my very first excursion hunting the wet & found my very first sterling silver ring. i have to admit, hunting the wet is far more harder then sweeping the sand, although i did find it more rewarding too. if your not accustomed to sweeping the sand, get in all the practice you can before adjusting to the wet. learn the different sounds by what your digging up. fortuneately, for myself, i'm close to the beach from my work, therefore getting lots of playtime afterwards. now, just waiting for the BIG july 4th after-party!!!! yeah!!!! good luck to you all & lets post pix of our finds. look forward to seeing the treasures.