Thoughts on body mounting the Tiger Shark

[ToniSteve]

Hello,
Any long you long time users have thoughts on how to body mount the Tiger Shark so as to have the best set up for water hunting. Also any thoughts on striaght or other shafts versus the original equipment? Thanks in advance.

Best Regards,
Steve

 

[Miningtown]

Ooops...I put a very similar question in the "First Tesoro" post...I'm on the list for a new TS and was wondering the same thing. Any thoughts on an oversize fishing vest with large pockets or some kind of harness available at army surplus store?

 

[Philc40]

Use this item for body mounting,

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1LWK6

I like the OEM shaft since it has the pole locks on it and takes out any wobbling.

 

[Brokensignal]

Tonisteve i am a strong believer in body,hip mounting if the detector has the option.It just makes that much of a difference in weight and total comfort.The straight shaft setup would also give more comfort and control making you be able to last longer in the hunt.I just got a Anderson Universal straight shaft for my Minelab,with the carbon fiber lower rod,it is amazing!,it feels like i could swing all day,but carbon fiber is expensive.Check them out at www.Andersondetectorshafts.com.If you decide to body mount you can experiment on what is most comfortable to you,like when i body mount the Minelab i started to belt the control box more on my lower chest,it just gave me more room,and i can just look under my chin and flip switches,but you will need a web belt,i ordered one from Kellyco and also bought one from Lowes,either way.That's great you found a Tiger Shark i know that has to be a great detector,good luck and let us know how it does.

 

[Brokensignal]

The hip mount bag for the Tiger Shark,Lobo ST,Sand Shark can be had at any Tesoro Dealer.Also here is a look at the Anderson Shaft,it is some piece of work,i can lift it with the tip of my finger,that is how light it is!

 

[Scully]

The Tiger has built-in slits on the pole-mount flanges, and I use a dive belt and simply slide it on. I also add a goodies and trash pouch to the belt. Once I ground balance, I slide the control box around to my back side, and its out of the way. If I need to readjust it, I simply slide it around to see the controls.

I also tried chest mounting it one time. If you want to see the control nobs right side up, you will have the pole-mount flanges against your chest which is uncomfortable and the unit wont sit straight (it will flop to on side). So I made a special belt-loop plate that would mount to the existing mounting holes for the pole-flange (you need to remove the pole flange bracket). This plate is flat, with a belt-slit on each side and you simply thread the belt through each one and it lays flat on on your chest. I actually used the Fisher chest-mount belt and it worked pretty well. I found I didnt like that arrangement as much, even though the controls are all right facing and easy to see and adjust, because it sort of gets in the way of looking into your scoop. I liked it better when it was around my back, belt-mounted and out of the way, and since I rarely need to make any control adjustments it made the most sense.

When I am done hunting, I remove the control box from the belt (it slides off easy) and clip it back on the pole assembly for storage.

Hunting with the control box off the pole assembly requires you to add a small floatation foam to the pole. If not, when you let go of the pole to recover your target, the pole will sink to the bottom. I cut a 3" long section from a foam "pool whip" (those summer toys kids use in the swimming pool), then slit it length wise and attach it to the pole just above my hand grip with a Velcro wrap. In this position it holds the pole assembly in perfect position so you can grab it and continue hunting after each target.

The tiger is a bit heavy in shallow water, and this arrangement makes the pole assembly very light-weight.

 

[tvr]

I have a CZ20 and a Sand Shark for water use.

I've tried belt mounting and chest harness mounting and what Scully says rings true to my experiences ( except I went many hunts with the Fisher chest harness). I came back to shaft mounting because I did not like to twist the coil cable up and get wrapped up in the cable when a wave rolls me.

I made a straight shaft for my CZ-20 and prefer that detector on the straight shaft with the detector behind and slightly below the hand grip. I started with the detector box higher up and the coil floated, making it hard to keep the coil on the bottom ... moved the box down and it works well now.

I have a Sand Shark, that weighs about the same as the Tiger Shark, and my preference is to clip the detector box behind the upper part of the shaft on the stock shaft and hunt like that. I like the balance in that position both over the wet sand and in the water. I think the Sand Shark is much better balanced like this than the best position I can get for the CZ on the straight shaft. Mounted on the back side of the upper shaft, I can swing the Sand Shark for hours either over the wet sand or in the waves. Since the Tiger Shark is the same weight and uses the same mounting setup, I think it would be like the Sand Shark.

I use boogy board leashes to attach the detector and the digging scoop to my wrists, so I don't loose equipment when a wave rolls me over.
tvr