Question for shallow water detecting?:confused:

[396nova]

I went to a fresh water swimming beach this morning with my AT Pro, waders, long handle sand scoop, and floating sifter. Any one that does this regularly must have one heck of a strong right arm. I knew it would be hard swing in the water, but after 2 hours I was getting really tired. I was lucky and found 1 clad quarter and a bottle cap. I passed up a few iffy targets that were 6-8" deep, because I was having trouble digging that deep in the water, the holes kept filling back in. Can a hole be dug to an 8" deep target? What is the secret to digging that deep?

 

[arclyt]

with a big enough scoop yes but depends on the bottom material--sand and mud yes--small rocky bottom will be tough and larger rocks will try your patiance. I have a 6 inch rtg scoop and it will get there with no problems but the bottom i dig is sand or mud--what kind of long handle scoop are you using

 

[goodmore]

There is swinging in the water then there is swinging in the water. When I am hunting on land I have a nice over lapping swing cruising along the surface. A beautiful swing If I must say so myself. But in the water it changes drastically. Now I am talking salt water hunting waist deep. My swing does not over lap anything. I am playing hit or miss. The surface around me is changing and the area is so big I just try to keep the coil moving. No gridding in the water. You will never hit it all anyways. And that is usually done with a front to back push and pull. No side to side stuff. The waves usually move the coil front for me ( I face the shore). I just pull it back. I concentrate on keeping the coil along the bottom and keeping it moving. Nothing pretty, but a lot less fatiguing.

 

[mudpuppy]

Goodmore hit it there regarding the swing...just slow down and dont fight the water, push coil out to one side, slightly out in front, and pull it back, repeat on alternate side...sort of like a "V" pattern.
digging takes some practice, sometimes your scoop works better as a hoe than a shovel. Whatever clears the target the quickest with the least amount of effort or fooling around...It just takes practice and you may develope you own style that suits you. If you plan on hunting the water alot, take Arclyt's advice and cough up for a good scoop for your situation. I dig in Lake Mich sand, so my scoop is differrent than the guys who dig in gravel or rock. water hunting is TOUGH! some people like it, and others dont, but if you at least try to master it fundamentally, it will make you a better overall hunter in the end.
Mud

 

[396nova]

with a big enough scoop yes but depends on the bottom material--sand and mud yes--small rocky bottom will be tough and larger rocks will try your patiance. I have a 6 inch rtg scoop and it will get there with no problems but the bottom i dig is sand or mud--what kind of long handle scoop are you using

I`m using a lightweight 2 pc alum 6" scoop made to push with the foot from KellyCo. I`m digging in a sand and mud bottom. Seems like a good scoop. I will just have to work harder. If it was easy everyone would be doing it. I might even get in better shape with a good work out like that. I had fun even though I did not make a big find, and the weather was great.

 

[Goldak]

I find that a "pull" scoop with my foot helping it bite in works best for me, especially in deeper water. In chest deep water there is no way I can get enough leverage to push a scoop when the bottom is hard to dig. The angle of the scoop is critical. HH!

 

[dewcon4414]

Believe it or not i put this handle BEHIND my scoop. I dont have a problem getting the scoop up, not that im a power lifter. My problem at 165 lbs in shoulder deep water i was to light to get any push or angle on the scoop. I put my foot on the top of the handle and find additional leverage. It also really helps prying a full scoop out off the bottom where you normally have to PULL the sucker out. Looks ugly, but works for me.

Dew

 

[scubadetector]

Get a weight belt and scuba weights. You can also hip mount your detector on it. They ALL have a quick release buckle if you get in trouble. A few of my friends wear them and they can dig in better. I would buy a belt and two 6lb weights to start out with. Your digging will be much easier, especially if your in a wetsuit.

 

[396nova]

Thanks for the help. I was out again this morning with better results. I dug some 8" deep holes. It just takes practice. I only found trash in the deep holes, but at least I knew what was down there. The day started out so good. I just got in the water, ground balanced , and started swinging. I had not move 2` when I got a 76 ID @ 4". It was a ring. I thought it was gold until I got home, and did not see anything on the inside, like 10Kt. It is probably junk, but it is a ring. The scoop worked good.