Question: Hunting Around Dive Platforms

[Flyguy]

Has anybody hunted around dive platforms at local swimming areas and how would you rate these for potential success? I would think that folks diving and jumping in the water might produce some good targets but would probably require SCUBA gear for the 8-10' depths.
Flyguy in Alabama

 

[grumpyolman]

There's stuff there. The impact with the water tears a lot of stuff off. One thing to think about. Watch a swimming beach on any warm day. Compare the volume of folks out on the dive platform Vs. all those wading and paddling in 2' of water. I think you'll find the most stuff where most of the people spend their time. When I dive a beach, I do all the shallow stuff first and if I have time I take a few tours under the diving/swimming float. Many of the best finds are in water about 18" deep. Only use the dive gear so I can see what I am after and I can fan the sediment away from the target. Just easier recovery in a bottom with rocks and gravel than a sand scoop. Jim

 

[rehless]

It's true, lots of goodies in shallower water. One thing about the platforms, many have weeds growing around them. High weeds. Hard, if not impossible to hunt.
I snorkel and dive and find a fair amount of gold and silver snorkeling. Carry a garden trowel on a lanyard and fan. Lots of exercise. Get after it.

 

[kaptainkosmic]

There's stuff there. The impact with the water tears a lot of stuff off. One thing to think about. Watch a swimming beach on any warm day. Compare the volume of folks out on the dive platform Vs. all those wading and paddling in 2' of water. I think you'll find the most stuff where most of the people spend their time. When I dive a beach, I do all the shallow stuff first and if I have time I take a few tours under the diving/swimming float. Many of the best finds are in water about 18" deep. Only use the dive gear so I can see what I am after and I can fan the sediment away from the target. Just easier recovery in a bottom with rocks and gravel than a sand scoop. Jim

grumpyolman, i agree with your philosphy, there most certainly will be more folks in the water where they can stand. the argument if there is one would be how many hunters in the shallow water vs. the deeper water? (bottom can't be reached without breathing aids)
and how many times have each of those areas been hunted. for those that can reach the deeper water there are treasures to be found, sometimes almost virgin territory!

just my opinion.

hh steve

 

[Golden]

I mostly use a hookah system to dive with when detecting at that depth, but occasionally I've used scuba. But I also often snorkle detect in water to 4 feet. Good exercise! If you do it this way, get yourself weighted correctly so that you can control your ascent/descent with your breaths. I find a lot of rings and coins on low tide, where normally it's too deep to snorkle/detect comfortably. I don't use any tools at all, just fan the sand with my hand, and a bit of patience, out comes the rings/coins
One other thing, if you don't have one, get yourself a 5-7mm wet suit for extra warmth; that way you can stay in the water for hours. I do. I get obsessed once I start detecting!
Golden