Water hunting more difficult than expected

[Goldak]

First of all, I don't want this to sound like I'm discouraged, far from it. I'm in this thing for the long haul and I will do what it takes to get better at it. But I am learning, so far, that hunting in the water at the beach is much more challenging than hunting in my freshwater lakes. I should point out that at both, the water visibility is poor and not being able to see your coil makes a difference. I'm also talking about hunting in waist deep water facing the open ocean where the water is constantly moving.
Yesterday was the first time I went to the beach with the intent of hunting solely in the water (not the wet sand). I had my Surf PI Pro and RTG SS 5" scoop with me and full wet suit on.
It was low tide and I think my first mistake was going out too far. I wasn't getting many signals at that range and those that I did were very hard for me to recover. I had one solid signal that I must have spent nearly 10 minutes trying to recover. I didn't want to give up on it but I also didn't want to wear myself out so I reluctantly moved on. I think I only had 1 coin (a zinc penny) in the first 1/2 hour.
I decided to move a little closer to the shore and when I did I started to get a few more signals. I also started to use my foot more to pinpoint where to dig and that helped a little (thanks CJ) but it was still a time consuming process. In one 30 minute stretch I found a big pocketknife, quarter, dime, and heavy lead sinker; not much, but the way I see it, the knife could have been a Rolex and the sinker could have been Tiffany gold band.
Even though it was low tide the waves were coming in fast and rough at times. I was frequently fighting to hold my position and sometimes my planted scoop acted like an anchor to help stay put. At 5", my scoop seems big compared to the 4" I used for years at the lake. I really like the ruggedness of this scoop, however, for this type of hunting perhaps it is a bit undersized?
I should mention that I have the "floating" coil on my PI Pro. I took the advice of a forum member and filled the lower shaft with ballast (small gravel) and this helped but I need a little more weight so I think I'll try cement. I've yet to make the device that CJ (thanks again!) made that keeps the coil from flipping up but I definitely will before heading out again.
All in all, it was another day of learning and I guess I shouldn't expect great finds every time out, but I'm finding that there is a big learning curve to ocean hunting! HH!

 

[Micheal_R]

n/t

 

[BARKER]

Hi Goldak; Keep at it and it will pay off.You will find that big bling sometime ok. Good huntig. PEACE:RONB

 

[grumpyolman]

Keep my dual field coil down with a circle of clear tubing used on ponds. Probably about 3/4" OD. filled with sand and plastic wire tied to the coil. Don't know if the cement in the tubing would be heavier or not. In fresh water the diameter of the coil needs to be about the same of the OD of the largest coil, using sand, to keep it neutral. jim

 

[kered]

I found that when i changed scoops i was missing stuff the first few outings, I curred it by finding stuff on the wet sand, closing my eyes and try to dig it, if it didn't come out the first time i checked to see how far i was off and made the adjustments, after a few targets you will get it, then transfer this process when in the water

 

[Cupajo]

I'm glad to hear you finally made it "out there "!

Where I hunt the surf is light most of the time so the finds have nothing to do, but settle down into the bottom and wait for me to come along.

Most finds are within 30-40 feet of the waters edge at low tide and buried among the large stones we have here.

There are finds beyond that area, but they are fewer and farther appart plus the sand tends to be a lot deeper farther out at this beach.

In an area where the surf is heavy the finds can be drawn by strong currents into catch basins naturally occuring along the water-front.

These may be only a few feet from the edge of the water or they may be farther out, but most often they run paralell to the water-line.

Sometimes they are only a few yards long and provide a "honey hole" of treasure.

Only time exploring a new beach will reveal its secrets to a hunter, but he must have a basic understanding of what to look for.

Watching hunters (local regulars are best) and bathers can reveal a lot of information before you even get a coil wet.

You can tell where the bathers concentrate and how deep the hunters hunt.

The scoop I use is huge compared to the one you mention and I still "chase" a target now and then.

[attachment 152865 MyMainScoopLarge.jpg]

I built this of a good grade of stainless in the early '80s and last year I put an aluminum handle on it to reduce it to a little under twelve pounds.

I call it my "poor man's backhoe" and it has dug up around three hundred gold rings, a truck load of junk and tons of heavy rocks and sand since it was built and it still works great!!

In really deeep sand I have lost a few too.

GL&HH Friend,

CJ

 

[thinkin2]

I found that when i changed scoops i was missing stuff the first few outings, I curred it by finding stuff on the wet sand, closing my eyes and try to dig it, if it didn't come out the first time i checked to see how far i was off and made the adjustments, after a few targets you will get it, then transfer this process when in the water

An excellent post, kered. What a great way to hone your pinpointing skills with a scoop. After a while of doing this exercise I'll bet it can be done without even giving it much thought. --Jerry

 

[jimmy jam]

I to just started to water hunt last year, but i didn't go way out at first, i started in knee deep water to get use to pinpointing and digging targets, i,m now up to my belt. I find that if you don't have the target on the first scoop, that you may not get it at all. i have a 6" by 11" scoop, holds a lot of stuff, but it is also hard to get it out of the water when full of sand. Also look out for rip currents!, and make sure your stuff has straps or you could lose it. Learn to read the beach.

 

[johnspoppi]

Try to keep your scoop pointing straight down, not on an angle. After pin pointing your object you lose depth if you push your scoop on a 45 degree angle, you may be 4-5 inches above target and hole will fill in quickly with sand.
HH Goldak

 

[Dig]

Hey man where are you located? I say this with the intention of trying to find a metal detecting partner or meeting up with your local MD group. I actually put the scoop down just behind my coil (I know I will get flak for this but the water here in West Central Fl is pretty clear) by about 3" and then dig. I use a pendulum motion in pinpoint (I use an excal2) getting smaller and smaller until the sound repeats to a single point. I dont know, others may scoff but I usually retrieve objects within one scoop (if they are shallow). I also use larger deeper scoops. Your detector has a 12" inch coil so you have some room to miss with a 5" scoop, even if your off in your pinpointing even just a little bit. You might try a fellow detectorists scoop (local hunting friends again!) and see how you feel about it. What scoop are you using again???

 

[bdahunter]

That's what makes it so darned much fun! Hunting a tot lot or a city park is child's play by comparison, surf pirating is a challenge and that's why the best loot is out there in the briny. It is physically challenging and ocassionally a bit dangerous but if you enjoy a bit of risk and like to push the envelope then this is where it's at.
As for getting the scoop onto the target, the foot behind the coil approach works well enough but over time you will develop a feel for letting that scoop slide down right onto the bullseye without so much as a second thought, even if the waves are kicking you around like a puppy in a washing machine.
Keep at it and it will get a bit easier but never so easy that it won't be the type of challenge that makes it Fun.

Cheers,

BDA

 

[Goldak]

I appreciate the many good tips guys! I have tomorrow off and will get to hunt in the San Diego area. There is a minus tide and the temperature will be warm so I'll be back in the water for some more practice. Pinpointing is not a problem when I can see the coil- it's when I can't that it becomes challenging and really only when the water is pushing me around. I'm used to my old 8" coil, now have a 10" coil and will soon be using a 12" coil (DF on its way) so I need to sharpen my pinpointing and digging skills. I agree that it's important to retrieve the object as soon as possible. If not, it seems to get more and more difficult.
I think I will look into getting a 6" basket. I am concerned about the weight so maybe I will try an aluminum scoop although I feel a little whimpy when CJ is using a 12 pounder. I'm 55 but, hopefully, I will get stronger when I get older.

 

[Cupajo]

I'm a hair under 6' tall and the scale tells me i'm 245lbs, so I have no problem with wielding the "Hoe"!

I use it to dump the sand and gravel etc. into a floating sifter.

I then use a vibra-probe to locate the target if it isn't easily seen.

Works for me,

CJ

PS This is not a rig that works well in any kind of surf!!