Just Bought a Stingray II !!! A Relic Guy Jumping into Water . . .

[SaginawIan]

My first venture into water hunting starts this spring. Hope I can keep up with all of you beach combers. Just picked up a Tesoro Stingray II for a good price. I've read up on it, and I like what I've seen. Price had everything to do with the purchase b/c I know the Tiger Shark is an upgrade, but this Stingray II does nicely - I hear.

Okay, what do I need to know about water hunting. I know I need a scoop and I know I need sunscreen. Anything else? Oh yeah, make sure I can swim.

Ian

 

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[TomNWMI]

Ian

good choice on machines! About the only advice I can give you is hit the busy beaches and put in the time. I don't know what the finds are like in your area but up here on average I figure about 1 gold for every 4-5 hours in the water during the summer. Sometimes it takes a while to get the skunk out but after the first one it gets easier.

GFTG
Tom

 

[SaginawIan]

Thanks for the encouragement. That's a good ratio of gold to hours put in! I'm looking forward to my first gold find. Heck, I'm looking forward to my first silver anything!

Ever find older coins? I know of a couple of old swimming areas from late 1800's - but I'm afraid that the coins are too deep to be detected.

ian

 

[TomNWMI]

Older coins are rare but every once in a while I run into a spot where they are not too deep and detectable. Last spring I was testing out a 6" coil at a small beach a few blocks from my house that is loaded with nails and iron and got an IH and Seated Dime. I'll try to post a pic of the take from that hunt if I can find it.

 

[SaginawIan]

Wow! That seems like a great day hunting even for an old homesite! Maybe a relic hunter lost his finds while swimming What's the history of the beach, is it more than a hundred years old - must be. See, I've been thinking that near me there are two spots where there used to be pull ferrys that would pull people across the river. It cost like 5 cents. 10 cents if you had a cow with you! Basically, im sure some of those coins are in the river bank. Problem is, it might be too dangerous to go in.


can you recommend a scoop to use in rivers?

Ian

 

[RON (PA)]

Ian,

I use aqua socks (water shoes) when I go water hunting. In addition to wearing the water shoes, I slide my feet. By sliding your feet, it helps you feel the edges of holes and it scares aware any thing that is on the bottom. I got my scoop from my local Tesoro dealer (www.greaterpittsburghdetectorsales.com). His name is Harry and it is a great scoop. The handle is adjustable and the basket comes off so that you can use just the basket (on the beach, etc). Hope it helps.

 

[Michigan Badger]

My first venture into water hunting starts this spring. Hope I can keep up with all of you beach combers. Just picked up a Tesoro Stingray II for a good price. I've read up on it, and I like what I've seen. Price had everything to do with the purchase b/c I know the Tiger Shark is an upgrade, but this Stingray II does nicely - I hear.

Okay, what do I need to know about water hunting. I know I need a scoop and I know I need sunscreen. Anything else? Oh yeah, make sure I can swim.

Ian

I did a lot of water hunting years ago. I miss it. Nothing like finding a shiny gold ring in the scoop!

 

[TomNWMI]

Wow! That seems like a great day hunting even for an old homesite! Maybe a relic hunter lost his finds while swimming What's the history of the beach, is it more than a hundred years old - must be. See, I've been thinking that near me there are two spots where there used to be pull ferrys that would pull people across the river. It cost like 5 cents. 10 cents if you had a cow with you! Basically, im sure some of those coins are in the river bank. Problem is, it might be too dangerous to go in.


can you recommend a scoop to use in rivers?

Ian

Ian the area is about 130 years old. The beach is right next to a river inlet that has had 3 or 4 different bridges built over it in the last 120 years. Also, it had ice houses (long gone) next to the water for storing ice into the summer months and I don't know what all else. Anyway, the shallows are full of iron of all sizes and types. Its not unusual to scoop a target and get 2-3 rusty nails in the scoop or a large rusty mass of whatever. Small coils are a must for this place. I was using the ID Edge with the 6" coil at the time.

As for scoops for rivers I can't give you any ideas. I use the Sunspot 7-11 for all my wading. The size is just right for me and the pointed solid stainless basket is indestructible. My preference is also for a wood handle and its the only stainless scoop I know of with one.

Tom