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Never hunted a beach before. I've got a week coming. Please jump start me

CT Todd

CT Todd

Well-known member
Hi guys CTTodd here. I've got a week coming up on Nantucket and I've never hunted a beach before. I own a CTX and a XP Deus. How about a jump start. I've been a detectorist
For 18 years and understand a CTX and a Deus very well. I will understand any settings you mention. But where should I be on the beach. I'm not going wading with the units. Even if it's best. I would like any and all tips from you guys.
 
You can cover few points with this article...
http://whatmetaldetector.com/metal-detecting-tips-hunting-the-beach/

Find out about tides in that area ... it is recommended that you get to the beach 2 hours before low tide and detect as water is going out ...
 
Leave the Deus at home ... Take the CTX-3030 to the beach ... it is all you will need.

Dont get me wrong ... the Deus is a great detector but the salt water beach is the CTX-3030's domain.
 
I would be more worried about the scoop, specially if rocky which I have encountered in those areas. Be out Lowtide and hunt lows areas where rocks, shells, and water may set. Me I go rater fast until I get sights of life then I hit the............................... snail........... pace ...........and dig just about all for starters, be they good reports, or bad just to get a idea of the targets. If I remember correct the tide goes out fast and far, then comes in fast so be aware the difference can be several feet. Last time I was up north it dropped 8 feet during the lowtide and came in like a lion. So be safe and learn what your walking into before going 100%.
 
Ok I get the impression that the CTX is the better pick for this. What do you guys use for settings ? What do you wear on your feet bare foot? Total noob here. Cellar holes I'm your guy but this not too much. All info is helpful and greatly appreciated.
Todd

How about a recommendation for a collapsible scoop. It has to make the ride up there in a cramped family car.

Do I need a permit to do this?

Very good stuff thank you all
 
Many wear sandals, but once you get shell fragments wedged between your sandal and feet you wont be happy. .. i like dive booties but you could probably be relatively comfortable in an old pair of high top sneakers if you dont mind getting them trashed.. im not familiar with that area ..make sure the areas you are hunting in allow detecting..im not at all familiar with ctx settings but with your land experience you should be able to figure it out in short order... i mean hey you got a whole week...
 
If you wear sandals, wear ones that protect your toes. Scoops aren't forgiving to bumped exposed toes. Loose sandals make it easier to shake out those shell shards.

Agree on the CTX; only reason to take the XP is as a backup.

Saltwater setting ON, of course, since it hasn't been said yet.

Depending on the beach and your tolerances, wide open is the way to go. If you see big iron, dig it up and get it out of the way as it may be hiding gold.

Best thing you can do is understand how sand moves on the beach. Next best thing is knowing what is normal for the local beach youre hunting. "Reading the beach".

You can always attach the scoop head to the handle when you arrive- easier packing and all that. I use a Sunspot Stealth (best warranty bar none); TRex, Stavr are also well thought of. Some of the 'coffee can' Al scoops are fine at nonrocky beaches. The deeper or more active the water, the larger the scoop you want imo.
Good Luck!
 
Beach hunting is what I do the most. I wear diving boots with diving socks. The fit is better slightly loose rather than slightly tight. I wear old jeans and a velcro strap around the ankles and the top of the boots. This keeps the sand out which is necessary if you want to spend any significant time out there.

I use a 9" T-Rex scoop. After making my own, and buying a cheaper scoop, I just bought the T-Rex. It doesn't corrode much and holds up to the enormous strain and forces it takes to seriously dig in the sand. I think this was very much worth the money. I got a sturdy wooden handle with metal sheath to use with the TRex.

The harness is necessary!

The beaches I go are not very trashy in the wet sand (and I agree this is the best during low tide). My normal setting is using the preset Beach Mode with Recovery Fast "on" and Recovery Deep "off", Seawater "on". Target Separation to "Low Trash". Sometime I go back and forth between the open screen and this one. I use the 11' coil and think this is a great balance between weight and detecting ability and ground coverage.

I don't use recovery deep in the surf. It detects things too deep that I'm not able to get at with the surf pounding. recovery deep is good on the dry sand.

I look for entrances to the beach where people walk. Also the line where people put their blankets in the dry sand is great for hunting as well.

Gold pieces don't move around much even in the surf. I dig and hold the scoop with one hand then do a sweep to see if the item is still in the hole. If it is, I repeat until the signal is gone and hopefully the thing is in your scoop.

IMPORTANT: Be constantly aware that the scoop can hit the detector if you are not careful! I was lucky a few times.

I like to have everything ready when I am at home so when I get to the beach, I'm out there are working not making adjustments to stuff.

I decide ahead of time if I am going to be in the rough surf or not. If there is a chance I am, then I go for the waterproof headphones. If not, I just use the remote and headsets that fit the remote module.

Leave the pinpointer in the car. Unless you are doing dry sand, then it might save time.

Use the waves and water to sift the sand out of your scoop and leaving the coins and big stuff.

If you think you have something in your scoop, and the surf is rough, head out of the water and to an area the water doesn't reach. Then dump your scoop and take your time finding your target.

Anyway, hope this helps.

Mike
 
Good stuff Mike thank you. I'll use the information
 
Just came back from Florida with my Sand Shark and the only thing I would change would be my scoop. I had a curved handled scoop that was ok but the real professionals on the beach had wide mouth Stealth scoops. I got a scoop that could be broken down for my suitcase but should have bought a better $$$$ Stealth scoop and when I got to Florida looked up a Home Depot and screwed a cheap pole to it. Or maybe even one of those carbon fiber poles.
 
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