This should be a good season this year?? whats your opinion??

[Ron from Michigan]

This season should yield some interesting finds.With the record cold temps and the frost in the ground deeper than ever maybe a lot of targets shifted to be exposed.A visit or two to some of my worked out parks will test this theory.How many people here think this is a possibility?? Thanks Ron

 

[bootyhoundpa]

Ya ron wooded areas which are normally overgrown during warmer months may present a short window of oppertunity for hunting due to this winters heavy snow pack which should have compressed the dead vegetation down to a workable depth. Just my 2 cents, happy huntin

 

[Ron from Michigan]

That's another good point.Thanks

 

[Ytcoinshooter]

The discussion of frost heaves moving targets in range of detection has been hashed many times. I really don't know for sure but it would be a nice consolation to be able to squeak out more from worked turf areas...for having endured the hellish winter. What I do believe is the moisture content of the late winer / early spring soil adds to the detector's ability to see conductive targets. I do pretty darn good in wet soil. Now on the other hand I would like another nor'easter (snowless) to stir up the ocean shoreline of New England. It will be a good year, my land units are ready. The Excalibur is out for modding now, GG Amphibians, remote pinpoint & 12"x10" SEF. The anticipation of using it with these mods has me juiced. My other 2 dedicated water units haven't seen much action since acquiring my Excal two.
HH - Bruce

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Bruce,LOL you should see the pot holes(sink holes) on our roads in Michigan.Hopefully we can get some kind of advantage out of this weather.Thanks Ron

 

[dewcon4414]

I believe the expansion of the soil along with the melt and then compression again can corrolate targets moving those that may have been missed because of depth or angle. A lot will also depend on how much last year covered the targets which changes with dry or wet years. Wish you luck out there.

Dew

 

[mudpuppy]

Well, we certainly have had a lot of time to think about it!

Howdy boys, West Michigan representing...last summer beach traffic was awful due to such an inclimate peak tourist season July...I figure this year to be the same. However..with all this snow, the water level should be up...good or bad?
We sure got some nice stuff when it was low, but I'm hoping the higher water along with some big storms knock the sand out right up to the dune grass and give us a good chance for old stuff...so thats what I intend to keep an eye on...I follow windfinder.com, and of course watch the webcams, and check out the conditions, generally out there every day from 5am to 9ish.....as soon as we get ice out, we will be wading and seeing if the heavy ice plowed out some old gold...

If for some reason the sand is not moving good, I think i'm gonna get some tanks and dive inland lakes..I suspect its gonna be a cold miserable summer here, the big Lake wont be warm enough to wade until Sept without waders or suit that is...

Anyway, I might need to get a dedicated salt/fresh rig like the Excall...probably time for me to upgrade seems like this sport has hit and stuck...gotta gear up...
Mud

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Dew,thanks for the information. HH Ron

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Mud, heard on the news the Great Lakes have a lot of ice on the shore line.LOL I guess this season we'll find out after a few searches.Good Luck Ron

 

[Ytcoinshooter]

Hey mudpuppy, I found working the same freshwater areas with both the ATP & Excal 2 have upped my finds. Being able to run the smaller coil on the ATP is a nice compliment to the ML's larger loop. Also I can get a better sense of how much the iron is present and I do better on chains with the ATP. The ML Excal is a great unit, once you pop for a straight shaft, knob guards and swap out the headphones. Mine is out for 3 mods right now. GGA, 10x12" SEF & remote pin point switch. A well cared for Excal 2 is around $1000. instead of paying $1500 for a new one. Minelab won't work on a modded unit so there are other sources to get work done. First thing I see folks doing after the warranty is over is the headphones. Anyway you probably have seen the threads 100 times... I'm anxious to get mine back and get out.
HH - Bruce

 

[mudpuppy]

Ha! Yeah Bruce, you guys know I try to read ALL the threads and try to pattern my hunting strategy and gear after what Y'all had to learn on your own!! Lots to learn form everybody! Hey, Ron, you can check out the surfcams and see ice as far as the horizon...Grand Haven surfcam, or the Muskegon Noaa cam on the channel..

Yep, I'm not gonna argue with success...I do love that Pro, but I'm pretty sure I'll be getting in the salt water someday, or be diving deeper than the Pro can tolerate, so I need to get a compatible rig and practice! Once I get some money back from my rich Uncle Sam, I'm a buyer...drysuit, vehicle, and a high end heater...total package est 5grand..(ok so I drive crap)...I'm gonna try to get down to the local Detector store (Prostock) and have a look this week at the Excal....

Another thing this year to consider which could really impact our season is FUEL...It could go up quite a bit more into the 5 buck realm, maybe higher than that!...IF thats the case..then staying close to home and diving the lake just down the road will have to be the plan....Thanks fellers!
Mud

 

[bik-il]

For me,
Every season is a great season, regardless of the finds, the theories of frost, or the theories of sites being hunted out.
As long as I'm breathing and above the dirt l'll be searching for the stuff under it!
See ya in the field!
HH

 

[Ytcoinshooter]

For me,
Every season is a great season, regardless of the finds, the theories of frost, or the theories of sites being hunted out.
As long as I'm breathing and above the dirt l'll be searching for the stuff under it!
See ya in the field!
HH

I understand your perspective. You are right, and health is always #1. We all like to anticipate the possibilities when the harsh weather is going to fade. We all like some success with finds that gets a nice comment from our peers. Happy to just be able to participate, I like to say that my best days detecting start with low expectations. The best treasures are the friendships we make.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Every hunt is good for me also,LOL there's always that Bonanza find out there.HH Ron