Maiden Voyage - 1280x (rookie here) :wiggle:

[stilpony]

Hi everyone!
I will be going out for my first time EVER water detecting. (Fisher 1280x) I'm looking for any tips/tricks/suggestions...anything! I feel bad for posting this, as I know that there are probably a million articles on the forums, but I'm looking for a quick fix; I'll read those later.

There is a two day event (Today and Saturday), and I plan on getting on that beach party site early Sunday morning to hunt the dry sand (fresh water), and then head in to the water once the people start showing up to swim. Hopefully it's raining and I have the whole beach to myself! (minus the lightening, or course )

Anyway, if anybody can help with the 1280x setups, or the best way to work a beach..anything, I'll be grateful to you! I normally hang out in the F Series section as I have an F5 and F2, but just recently bought my buddy's used 1280x, and I'm anxious to get in the water!

Thanks for reading!

Pony

 

[Songdog]

First off, I would NOT go in the water with swimmers present.
It is kind of rude, and you won't accomplish much with everyone asking questions.
Wait until they are GONE! Noy only that, but you don't want to give anyone else an idea that they might find something.
Be sure to tether your detector and scoop for easy retrieval when dropped.
Are you diving or wading. If wading I would wear a compact pfd device.
Prepare to scoop a lot of junk as you will want LOW descrimination if looking for gold.
Be AWARE of your surroundings as you will have headphones on. You don't want to get run over by a boat!
If diving put out proper marker.
Have fun!

 

[FisherKing]

All of what Songdog said and:

If you are diving and the water isn't too murky, fan (a few inches off the bottom - quick hard waves) with your hand and watch for the glint rather than digging. Its easier and you will be less likely to snag your hand on something that hurts (broken bottle, fish hooks and lures, etc.). Sorry if that's too simple a suggestion. If you've never done it underwater, it might not be intuitive.

Skip the dry sand Sunday morning. Its more likely that someone has hit the beach thoroughly with a detector than the water.

Don't set the disc over 4. You will miss gold. Go slowly and make sure your sweeps overlap.

Sensitivity as high as you can, but at least at 5.

Thinking about it, on Sunday go in the water first with the Disc at 0. See how much noise you have in your ears (beep-beep-beep) from targets and pretty quick you will know if anyone has been through there with a detector.

Best of luck and let us know how you do!