what else do i need?

[bomber]

picking up the excal2 this week,wetsuit should be in thursday,got a scoop,hitting the lake sat, what else do i need?i see some guys have a belt with clips on it to secure the scoop.fill me in.thanks

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A History of Mining on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska - Grab it through Amazon!

[Dixie Digger]

i use this Minelab GPX 4000 battery harness.i just put the Excal hip mount on in place of the pouch.takes all the weight off.and hook my scoop with a SS dog snap to the 0 ring i put in the belt .i also have a mesh pouch to put goodies in on the front.

 

[redpgmr]

You are going to need some Good LUCK

 

[DaChief]

Some old tennis shoes or scuba booties. Your feet will get worn out pushing on that scoop and sometimes you tend to dig or fan with your foot to get something to pop out.

If you have one, take a dive knife. You can free yourself from fishing line, etc., if you get tangled. It happens to me every now and then.

A good mesh treasure pouch for your finds.

Not sure how the sun is where you are but some good waterproof sunblock helps your neck.

Some folks where gloves but I don't.

We are all buying manually inflatable life vests since a fellow THunter in Michigan drowned a couple of weeks ago. There are several on the market. Good ones are going to cost 75 to 150 but your life is clearly worth that. The fellow that drowned did so in about 4 feet of water. Not know what happened yet but speculation was that he cramped. The final say so will possibly be known in a few weeks.

 

[EDDE]

neck knife
CO2 inflation life vest

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Good pair of polarized sun glasses is a must, allows you to see in the water beter, and keeps you out of trouble.

 

[JP]

Pretty much what everyone else said.

The harness is a cool idea because you can attach a lot of accessories to you that you might need.

Side note, be careful with hooking the scoop to you. Depending on your comfort and swimming ability in the water, you might want to use a dive belt with a quick release buckle if you are going to attach a lot of items to you. Also being that you are using a wet suit, you may have to use weights.

The wet suit should keep you close to the surface so the vest that inflates with a co2 cartridge is debateable, again depending on ones comfort and the conditions that one hunts in.

Definitely you will want to use dive boots, the one that has the zipper on the side is the easiest to use.

Do like the majority until you find what is the best way for you, drag your scoop with one hand. Depending on if you have waves, the scoop also gives you support, kind of a third leg.

The dive knife is a good idea because the monofilament in the water can cut you if you get tangled in it. Also the hooks that can be tangled up in there can really cause some pain.

The other important thing is know your ability with water.

 

[Narthoniel]

Same goes for me... Maybe a "WaterProof" HeadLamp... if your an early or late hunter..

nice knife is always a must...

Titanium Wenoka squeeze knife....

SOG Seal Pup Elite will never give you a problem with anything or anyone..

why do you suggest a knife? to deal with aggressive people? I thought thats what the scoop was for.

 

[EDDE]

cut an entanglement of your body so you dont drown

 

[bomber]

where do i get a harness / belt? scuba shop?

 

[bomber]

sweet setup buddy...........and thanks!

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Once you figure out everthing you need, double it and get two. I guarantee you will forget, leave or lose something and find you don't have it when you need it the most. I carry at least 2 of everything. Anyone who has hunted with me can vouch for that.

 

[Chi Town Bruce]

Hey bomber hookup with someone who can show ya the ropes and use his equipment to get a feel try before you buy. do you have a finds/trash pouch you better take your garbage to the can! I keep a clean lake

 

[COTTON]

Very cool belt, Nice set up ,...............Cotton