How to Get Started in Shallow Fresh Water Detecting

[Iron Buzz]

Experienced land detector here. I've tried to find some information online on getting started at shallow water (freshwater lakes) detecting. Equipment, techniques, how to find historic beaches & swimming holes, stuff like that. Doesn't seem to be much out there.

I did a search for this forum and will be picking through it looking for advice but thought it best to also ask my question directly. Thanks.

 

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[Toecutter]

Old shoes, shorts, gloves, pinpointer, metal detector.... now get out there!!

 

[Iron Buzz]

Old shoes, shorts, gloves, pinpointer, metal detector.... now get out there!!

I should also probably mention that I'm in Minnesota and it is still only May.

Seriously, I also should add that I have chest waders, a pretty good long handled scoop and an Equinox 800 (but no waterproof headphones)

 

[Toecutter]

If your in sand the scoop will work but they dont work good in rocks, Im in Michigan I start water detecting in late July... gotta be careful with waders and bending over if its shallow enough then no worries... I detect alot water crossings and have to fan the dirt away as the scoop cant get through the rocks...I will be using a snorkel mask this year for higher waters... also might want some trapper gauntlets

 

[Iron Buzz]

If your in sand the scoop will work but they dont work good in rocks, Im in Michigan I start water detecting in late July... gotta be careful with waders and bending over if its shallow enough then no worries... I detect alot water crossings and have to fan the dirt away as the scoop cant get through the rocks...I will be using a snorkel mask this year for higher waters... also might want some trapper gauntlets

So, that's what they call those. I thought those were veterinarian gloves.

Is this a good enough pair? https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Creek-Full-Trappers-Gauntlet/dp/B00I47HZB8

 

[Toecutter]

So, that's what they call those. I thought those were veterinarian gloves.

Is this a good enough pair? https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Creek-Full-Trappers-Gauntlet/dp/B00I47HZB8

Ya those are perfect... lol sum of those poop shootin gloves...

 

[CASPER-2]

depending on your water temps - you might want to get a wet suit or dry suit if you dont mind spending that kind of money
I shy away from waders cause years ago i knew of guys that drowned and a few that almost did
what happens is they were getting good stuff farther and farther out and they pushed their limits - they should not have
some of these articles might help you - most are for saltwater but some pertain to water in general
if anything they might inspire you
https://www.flickr.com/photos/casper-2/
I did a lot of fresh water in the 1990s - early 2000s - guys on beachs saw me pulling gold in water and they started to
one by one come out with me - so i moved on to saltwaters even though I got a little bit of a ride to get to it
but i used to do pretty good in fresh water lakes,ponds, and rivers

 

[adamBomb]

depending on your water temps - you might want to get a wet suit or dry suit if you dont mind spending that kind of money
I shy away from waders cause years ago i knew of guys that drowned and a few that almost did
what happens is they were getting good stuff farther and farther out and they pushed their limits - they should not have

This 100%. Tons of wetsuits on sale now too as the winter just ended so they are clearing out inventory. I am a surfer and most of the surf sites had almost 50% discounts on them over the mem day weekend. Lots of horror stories about waders...

 

[cudamark]

I should also probably mention that I'm in Minnesota and it is still only May.

Seriously, I also should add that I have chest waders, a pretty good long handled scoop and an Equinox 800 (but no waterproof headphones)

Get the waterproof headphones, water shoes or booties, wet suit if needed, and get in the water!

 

[RustyGold]

Get the waterproof headphones, water shoes or booties, wet suit if needed, and get in the water!

This^

 

[Iron Buzz]

Any tips for finding sites that aren't slammed by everyone and their brother? I prefer old stuff, not terribly interested in modern day bling even if it is worth a lot of money.

 

[Toecutter]

old post cards are one good way to find older swim holes, search "swimming hole post card" for your state and county...

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Get you about an eight foot length of 1" hard plastic plumbing pipe, 4 90d elbows, and some pool noodles. Also get you some mesh cloth, and tie-wraps. The idea is to make yourself a floating "screen" where you can dump your full scoop into the float. Cuts out the problem of just trying to recover your target from your scoop while you're bobbing in the water yourself.

Simple to make and works great! Some assembly required Just takes a wee bit of your brain to figure out where you're going. It'll change the way you water hunt.

 

[Jim in MA]

Try to seek out the oldest people in the area and ask them where they swam when they were young.
Usually where they swam there was no sand, but usually rocky.

 

[CASPER-2]

Try to seek out the oldest people in the area and ask them where they swam when they were young.
Usually where they swam there was no sand, but usually rocky.

Sooooo...where did you swim Jim

 

[CASPER-2]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/casper-2/6284307972/

 

[CASPER-2]

https://www.cardcow.com/search3.php?section=unsold&in_category=&s=minnesota+beach

not much out there...you didnt look very hard

 

[Iron Buzz]

Try to seek out the oldest people in the area

That would be me.

 

[Irishgoldhound]

I should also probably mention that I'm in Minnesota and it is still only May.

Seriously, I also should add that I have chest waders, a pretty good long handled scoop and an Equinox 800 (but no waterproof headphones)

Check out Minnesota Beach Boys. They detect all over Minnesota’s many lakes. Maybe you could contact them and maybe even get out with them.

 

[Iron Buzz]

old post cards are one good way to find older swim holes, search "swimming hole post card" for your state and county...

Thanks for the tip there, Toecutter.



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