Target recovery in surf

[Dom of NJ]

I have trouble digging targets in ankle to knee deep surf. I use a 6" diameter scoop. The waves aren't the problem, it's the sand. The sand is not fine, but heavy and granular. The targets are probably 6" and deeper. I'll take out 1 or 2 scoops and then the sides cave in. After about 10 scoops I give up in disgust. Anyone else have this problem? Solutions?
Dom

 

[Beachcomber]

The key is very accurate pinpointing and making the first scoop as deep as possible trying to get the target on the first scoop. Most scoops that are 6" in diameter are close to 12" in length and should be able to get a 6" deep target on the 1st scoop.

Hope this helps!

HH

Beachcomber

 

[labeachbum]

I second Beachcomber advice you have to get it on the 1st scoop................. especially with waves coming in / going back out ...........The Big Big scoop is best for Surf wading

 

[JOHNMARKHAM]

yes i have to agree with everybody on here, you really want to try and get it on first scoop if possible..itll take a bit of practice as weve all lost targets before cause of same situation..
good luck
hh
john

 

[Steve from Ohio]

I dig fast. Like two or three scoops as fast as I can before the wave comes in. Sometimes it takes several scoops to get the target. You just have to be fast as possible.

It is worth the effort. That is why it is best to have a waterproof detector when hunting the wet sand. Drop the detector and scoop, scoop , scoop. If you don't have to worry about the detector, you can really scoop quickly.

You will eventually get into very good shape moving all that sand as quickly as possible. You will get good at it as it takes practice.

 

[dirtdigginlady]

but what are you doing with the sand? putting it up on the beach where u can check it? how do you know when working fast like that when u have the target?

 

[Steve from Ohio]

I pile the sand up and then detect the hole. If it is not there, then I detect the sand I dug. 9 times out of 10 if not in the hole, it will be in the pile of sand. If a wave hits the sand that is piled up, the target may move so I try to get it out of the waves if possible.

 

[doindadiggin]

WELL GUYS OVER HERE IN OZ I HAVE A SIMPLE ATTACK PLAN ,IT IS DIG/DIG /RUN]!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[VBDave]

I experienced that same frustration and never made much improvement in technique. Depending on your physical strength, I'd suggest switching to the biggest capacity scoop you can find and afford. I did, and surf digging is now much faster and efficient. A big scoop will be heavier to carry and require considerably more effort to hoist out of the hole when full. But I believe that's a worthwhile trade off due to the increase in the speed at which you're able to recover the target, making those pesky waves less of a problem. Taking a much bigger first bite also means that pinpointing is "quite" so critical.

I bought a Beach Brute about 2 years ago. Since I've owned it, I found myself spending more time in deeper water because it was easier to recover those harder to reach targets. My good scores increased because I was over heavier targets. And, at the end of the hunt, the "workout" ends up about the same as with a light scoop. The larger scoop requires more effort to operate, but I had to "operate" it a whole lot less.

Also, in wet sand or shallow water there's no hurry, so you don't have to take big bites with a big scoop. You can take 2 or 3 small bites to with less effort.
IMHO, I'd rather carry a big scoop and not need one, than need one and not have it .

 

[muggsc]

Good response! I was going to suggest that too. Seriously, I have not found a way to recover targets any other way. If it was easy anybody could do it. Sometimes it does seem that the surf gods are against you though. You hear a good sound and then the WAVES start. Not much you can do about that. That's just Davey roughing you up a bit for trying to take his loot.
Cal

 

[BARKER]

Hi Folks; This cabin fever is killing me. Question for doindadiggin?? When I see a pic like that I;m wondering how fast you can run???

 

[muggsc]

I put it in my pocket

 

[Steve from Ohio]

There is a thing called a bottomless bucket. Cut the bottom out of a 5 gallon bucket and place it over the area you know the target is. When a wave comes up, it will not collapse around as the bucket will prevent that. I scoop out sand with a small shovel.

It does work but is a bit of a pain to carry around. I sometimes drag it behind me if I know the waves are going to be big. Otherwise I just dig like a mad man as fast as I can.

 

[Goldak]

Good response! I was going to suggest that too. Seriously, I have not found a way to recover targets any other way. If it was easy anybody could do it. Sometimes it does seem that the surf gods are against you though. You hear a good sound and then the WAVES start. Not much you can do about that. That's just Davey roughing you up a bit for trying to take his loot.
Cal

Funny you should say that. The last gold ring I found was in the raging California surf a week ago. I got the signal by the water's edge and was digging for it between sets of waves with my 6" scoop. When the signal finally "disappeared" from the hole I went to look for it in my basket but at the same time got hit by a wave that emptied my scoop completely (at this time I didn't know I had a ring). 6 feet away towards the shore I got the signal again (this time very shallow) and was able to get it in one dig and only then, after a quick rinse with the next wave, realized that I nearly lost the 14K, 7+ gram, wedding band.
When it comes to finding gold it seems that there is a very small margin between failure and success- we have all missed incredible finds by seconds or inches. HH!

 

[Frank in NH]

A friend of mine used one on the beaches, Anyone know if they are still being made?

 

[Dom of NJ]

Frank, I never gave a thought to dropping the detector. Good idea. Thanks

 

[Dom of NJ]

Dirtdigginglady: I am in the water. I keep the sand in the scoop and then pass the coil over the hole. If no signal, I drop the sand in the water and then take out another scoop.
Dom

 

[Dom of NJ]

WELL GUYS OVER HERE IN OZ I HAVE A SIMPLE ATTACK PLAN ,IT IS DIG/DIG /RUN]!!!!!!!!!!!

Great!!! Thanks for the laugh)
Dom

 

[Dom of NJ]

A friend of mine used one on the beaches, Anyone know if they are still being made?

What is a sandscrew? Do yu have a picture?

 

[otlew]

It is a recovery tool that basically screws directly into the sand. It is similar to an auger for digging holes in the ground for posts or pilings. It was invented by Mr. Karl Chulick years ago who is located in San Jose, CA. I spoke with Mr. Chulick, yesterday 8-5-2010, he still makes the device. He created the Sand Screw out of frustration and a "There's got to be a better way" moment, using sand scoop trying to retrieve a target. As far as I know there is no competitor who makes such a device.

I don't have one, have never tried one and cannot testify to its effectiveness.

The attached picture is from Mr. Andy Sabisch's book "Advanced Water Working Techniques"