Looking for Advice

[rhlee222]

Hi Everyone,
I normally don't hunt at the beach but my wife and I will be somewhere on the gulf next month so I thought I would give it a try. I don't have great expectations but look forward to trying this. I have a fisher f5, with a water proof coil. What accessories would you recommend, and should I try to wade out just a little, or stick to dry sand?

 

[MI-AuAg]

Hello rhlee222,

I would most definately stay in the dry sand, The F5, being a single frequency detector, will not do well in wet salt sand or salt water. You can venture into the wet sand, but, I am sure you're machine will not respond well to it. The wet salt sand and salt water are highly conductive and your detector will respond to those conductive salts.

If you don't go beach hunting often, I would only get a relatively cheap dry sand scoop. The sturdy square plastic ones are only about 15 bucks or so, and do well in dry sand. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Nauti]

The f5 is not really meant for wet sand use but you can use it for this type of hunting.You will probably have to use it on a reduced sensitivity setting and it will chatter a bit but you will still be able to pick out a good target signal.I'd say try your luck on the dry and in the wet sand.......and just enjoy it.

 

[NamVetLesTreasureSeeker]

rhlee222, I've BEEN an AVID Saltwater Beach/Ocean Detectorist for going on 17yrs., which MAKES Me VERY EXPERIENCED, N-O-T an AUTHORITY on the HOBBY!! " DON'T
throw GOOD Money after BAD", to Coin A Phrase!! Try to Find a Good USED Metal Scoop, depending on either a HAND Metal Scoop, or a SEMI-LONG or REG. LONG Handle Scoop!! Whatever YOU Buy, I Personally RECOMMEND YOU Buy STAINLESS STEEL, because YOU'll get VERY GOOD Longevity out of STAINLESS!! All (3) SIZES come in
STAINLESS, but Check several of the Forum Sponsor Websites for Pictures of what's available!! At the Very LEAST, BUY GALVANIZED STEEL if YOU Cannot Afford Stainless!! BEST of LUCK, Les Robinson.

 

[dewcon4414]

If you are going to dig....... get a pouch and remove the targets you find from the beach and fill those holes. I know its silly since people dig creators with shovels, but we seem to get singled out. Figure out what iron and a bottle cap sounds like....... kick or dig about everything else. For someone rarely beach hunting.........and dry sand hunting..... you can use about anything that digs a hole...... then kick the sand with your feet to PP the targets faster. Then...... fill the hole.

Dew

 

[Tom Slick]

I recommend you don't get a stainless steel scoop. As seldom as you go detecting to the beach, a regular metal scoop will last you years and stainless steel scoops more expensive and are quite a bit heavier. Been detecting the beaches since 1975.

 

[tvr]

Your F5 will ground balance to the wet salt in the wet sand. With the single frequency, you may have to really stay on top of the ground balance to keep good depth. You may need to run in all metal mode over the wet sand. Don't be afraid to try a range of settings in both all metal and with discrimination to see what works.

Over the wet sand, it may not auto ground balance, you may need to manually adjust it. As you move from the dry sand to the wet, your ground balance setting will change rapidly. Over dry sand, it may balance anywhere that dirt does, from 40 to 80. As the salt content in the sand gets damp, it goes towards the teens and into single digits. Over full wet sand a ground balance of 0 or 1 is very normal.

An inexpensive long handled shovel should work well in the sand. I just got back from a beach trip where I ran across a hunter who prefers using a shovel and has been doing so for decades. Please fill your holes.

I'd recommend some type of pouch to carry what you dig up. An inexpensive nail apron works. Or a "fanny pack" or if you want, several water hunter specific pouches are available from forum sponsors. Just pockets may work ... for a while; but if you have any sharp bits of metal that you dig up, they can penetrate pockets and cut you.

If you end up doing more beach time in the future (or become addicted to it) you may upgrade your tools and detector to those more specific to beach and water use. But for now, no need to break the bank!

Enjoy your trip!
Cheers,
tvr

 

[Gerry]

Snd scoop and pouch, stay on the dry sand. If you venture towards the wet sand the closer to the waters edge the more likely you are going to have lower your sensitivity which means less depth.

Look for flunnels....................

Gerry