Newbie in Eastern NC

[Coinbikerun]

Good Afternoon, I did some metal detecting when I was a kid and I am starting to pick it back up again. I live in Raleigh, but make frequent trips to the coast to visit my family and in laws. This summer I purchased a mine lab xcal II after some research and making the decision that much of my metal detecting will be on the beaches in Brunswick and New Hanover County. Due to budget restrictions (haha) the excal II will be my primary detector for all hunting (land and water) for the foreseeable future. I have taken the excal out several times and I am slowly learning to use the machine. My goal for 2013 is to hunt more often and to use the machine in the water as it was intended. I also hope to do some detecting the the Raleigh area on weekends when I am not able to travel to the coast.

I am posting on here hoping to meet some folks in the area to discuss the hobby. I would also like some recommendations on a long-handled scoop to used for the surf up to chest deep water. I have a wetsuit that will work for the present time but I am interested to hear what others are using around this area in the winter.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post.

Shawn
Raleigh, NC
(Oak Island/Holden Beach/Wilmington/Raleigh/Fredericksburg VA)

 

[PowerDetecting]

My recommendations for a long handle scoop is the Stavr scoop or the Trex scoop. Either are good I would Recommend the Sunspot but I have not used it but it looks like a beast.

 

[bootyhoundpa]

welcome to the forum shawn..... im also an inland beachcomber wanna be....lol... i only get to the beach a hand full of times per year...... ive never detected north caralina but have gotten to va beach a few times..... just be aware that certain beaches are off limits to detecting ,i dont exactly know which ones but i think they are near nags head....... point is just better to be safe than sorry..... i use a homemade scoop but those stavr scoops look to be one of the best,lots of holes,light wieght and heavy duty....... i might also suggest watching some of oldbeechnut s videos as they give a very good virtual feeling along with tones..... welcome back to your childhood..... happy huntin and good luck.... dave

 

[tomcatpl]

stavr scoop is light weight i use it in the wet sand ,,,but i did ok with it with it in the water as well with a ash wooden handle .....now i use the full loop scoop for the water

 

[birdman]

I live close to Goldsboro and I have a stainless scoop that I don't really use. If are passing through the area shoot me a pm and you can take a look at it.I will let it go for 75 but I just don't want to worry about shipping.

 

[fongu]

Welcome back to a great hobby. I purchased a Sunspot Classic 8 a few weeks ago with a long handle and I love this thing. It works great. I've only used it in fresh water, but I've heard lots of people say it works great for them in the surf. It's the only scoop I have used, so I can't say about the other scoops mentioned. I've heard lots of great comments on the Trex scoop on these forums, tho. Happy hunting.

 

[eek]

I am a T-Rex fanatic, I have had 4 different scoops from the small handle on the scoop, Aluminum short handle, RTG long handle and the T-Rex..I have used the T-Rex most of last summer and it is a great one to get. One of the things I like about the T-Rex
is there are no u-bolts that go into the scoop...also the T-Rex has an angled handle and is very strong. Price wise, they are all about the same...go to YouTube and watch some of the videos, maybe that will help you make
a decision.

Good Luck and Happy New Year,

eek