Best sand scoop for hunting in ocean

[BowieConnection]

Can some of you more experienced folks help me with what kind of long handled sand scoop I should buy for beach hunting? Going to be for mostly hunting ocean beaches in/out of water. Thanks in advance! I really enjoy having you seasoned vets sharing what you’ve learned!

 

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[Shooting Star]

I just received my 920ix with carbon handle & D-shaped lift assist. This is my first beach scoop. Where the best position on the handle to place the lift assist?

 

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[cudamark]

That's kind of a personal choice. I've seen them all over the place and I've tried many different locations before deciding on my favorite. I mount mine on the back side, about half way between the basket and the end of the handle.

 

[Shooting Star]

That's kind of a personal choice. I've seen them all over the place and I've tried many different locations before deciding on my favorite. I mount mine on the back side, about half way between the basket and the end of the handle.

Ok, so it's something I'm going to have to play around with. Why do you have it on the back side? I just placed the D-lift on my handle to get the feel of that, and it seems it works better if it is on the front side. I'm sure you had a good reason. Also, Sunspot threw in a straight bar lift for free, so I'm thinking of placing that right above scoop - to give me something sturdy to hold onto as I'm picking the finds out the scoop.

 

[Molewacker]

May I add that I too am looking at long handled scoops - but one problem I am having is a size restriction. Both Oregon and Washington state parks state no scoop larger than a 6" x 8" with 1/2" holes min. So check rules in your hunting area before you buy!

PS I don't know if once you are in the ocean, you are past the park boundry. I'll call around and update this post.

HH all!

 

[Bayoutalker]

May I add that I too am looking at long handled scoops - but one problem I am having is a size restriction. Both Oregon and Washington state parks state no scoop larger than a 6" x 8" with 1/2" holes min. So check rules in your hunting area before you buy!

PS I don't know if once you are in the ocean, you are past the park boundry. I'll call around and update this post.

HH all!

That's interesting. I wonder what's the reason for that kind of restriction and what caused it. Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[cudamark]

Ok, so it's something I'm going to have to play around with. Why do you have it on the back side? I just placed the D-lift on my handle to get the feel of that, and it seems it works better if it is on the front side. I'm sure you had a good reason. Also, Sunspot threw in a straight bar lift for free, so I'm thinking of placing that right above scoop - to give me something sturdy to hold onto as I'm picking the finds out the scoop.

I usually grid an area and find it easier to drag the scoop with the handle on the back side to leave grid marks. I also find it easier to "steam shovel" sand with the handle that way. Like I said, it's a personal preference thing. Try a few different locations and use what feels best to you.

 

[Shooting Star]

I usually grid an area and find it easier to drag the scoop with the handle on the back side to leave grid marks. I also find it easier to "steam shovel" sand with the handle that way. Like I said, it's a personal preference thing. Try a few different locations and use what feels best to you.

That makes sense. It would be easier to drag the shovel if the handle is on the back side. I have the plastic D handle, and I discovered if it is not cranked down tight all the way, the handle can swivel around, to be used on the front or back side as needed.

 

[ARC]

Not that it matters...

But I would destroy a stealth or the other stavo. heh

Casper...

You foam your handle yet ?

 

[RTR]

I find these metal 32" long,6"wide blade shovels work faster/easier than Any sand scoop. And a lot cheaper

 

[ROBOTCOP13]

Scoop Porn

Different kinds of assist handles.

 

[ColonelDan]

I’ve used Stealth scoops for years. Currently own the 920i and 720i; both with carbon fiber handles. The best in my opinion with a life time warranty.

 

[Bayoutalker]

I find these metal 32" long,6"wide blade shovels work faster/easier than Any sand scoop. And a lot cheaperView attachment 1715611

I'd like to see how you use that in waist deep water.

 

[Earlafindit]

Used RTG scoops still have 2, 1 Stavr, 4 Stealth's, now using Xtreme scoop's , as now you can get not only 304 stainless like used in stealth's, but 316 Marine grade stainless , and soon with in 6 week's will offer a scoop in Titanium , setting NEW standard's on high end Stainless Steel Scoop's , and Titanium , Earl

 

[GreenMeanie]

If you have the money XTREME Scoops Sand Shredder seems good.
If and when my home made scoop dies I am going to try one of those out.

 

[CASPER-2]

Not that it matters...

But I would destroy a stealth or the other stavo. heh

Casper...

You foam your handle yet ?

NAH...since i wear a mask and i am either in chin deep water - where i could get clunked by it floating or in some shallow spots where i squat and duck walk
where it can be better for it not t float too - if i drop to fan - especially in rocks or dead coral- i will just drop it off to the side
if i floated it i would have to tether it and i have had some close calls where i f i had it tethered - it might have been my demise
few years back i was hitting a R.I. beach - it was pretty calm and there were just some slow rollers coming in - my friend decided to stay in close
and i decided to get out as far as i could - got to chest deep and started to swing - had an RTg and was wearing a mask & snorkel
skies were pretty clear - sun was over my right shoulder and so was deeper water - i got a hit and started to scoop
all of a sudden the sun got blocked out and i turned to look and i got hit with a rogue wave - squashed me like a bug
knocked my mask & snorkel off and as i tried to stand the water went back out hard and fast and ripped the scoop from my hand
and sucked it into deep waters - had i had a tether on me - believe i would have been sucked out also
had my friend come out and mark the spot while i went and grabbed my Pi and another mask and went back out to find
that scoop - never did - the under tow was very strong and the bottom was packed fine sand with no obstructions
- beach slowly continually sloped out and i believe it went out till bottom flattened or it found some rocks or something
asked others over the yrs that frequent there if they ever got it or heard of anyone finding it - nope

 

[CASPER-2]

Casper I don’t see where the aluminum 2 piece rtg scoop with the ss tip is offered

i called them and had them make mine special but thought i saw it offered after they did mine
give them a call - they will do just about anything for you - just will be a few extra $

 

[CASPER-2]

Casper; Absolutely love reading your articles and the most recent on scoops (above) is one of your best. Recommend everybody check-out this one and his many other articles on metal detecting and what he has found in the past - gobs and gobs of gold and silver. What MD dreams are made of...
.

its an older article - i know there are other newer scoops - the thing i want most to take away from it is - dont go cheap
I spent like $300 on cheaper models - some not shown cause they busted so bad i tossed them
i had blade put on my new one cause i hit a few clay bottoms that it cut thru better and a few spots with like a peat bottom
that made easier to cut thru too - it can cut thru seagrass too - got some old areas where all that is left is old dead tangle of
sea grass roots that took extra effort with other scoop - some of these spots i got good stuff from cause others gave
up on them - too hard to work for them

 

[Earlafindit]

Tenderfoot , it's been a few year's , but i had 2 of the 8x11 s with the SS lip , and grab handle's, on mine, it was 10 buck's for SS lip, 10 buck's for grab, you can specify were you want your grab handle placement , basically call to order , the last RTG now gone that i owned, was a SS 7x10 with grab , only kept the small 2 dry sand scoop's , enjoy your new scoop, Earl

 

[ARC]

Casper... foaming the handle simply keeps it "upright"... stands up on its own... if you let go of the scoop it wont lay down to bottom and saves ya from bending and groping in non viz.

 

[CASPER-2]

Casper... foaming the handle simply keeps it "upright"... stands up on its own... if you let go of the scoop it wont lay down to bottom and saves ya from bending and groping in non viz.

I know... the way i hunt - i like to lay it down in certain areas and in certain situations - if i "foamed" it = i would lose that option
I usually will not stand upright in knee deep water or waist deep water
I will lay out and place scoop on bottom in my left hand and pull myself along the bottom ...that would be difficult if handle wanted to keep rising
also have been times when i needed to keep my machine on the bottom and will lay scoop across it to keep it there
I very rarely come across many non-viz spots - 99% wear a mask
our fresh water spots are clear and most of my saltwater ones are too - if i drop it i usually just lift it up with my foot
I had a target in Dom. Rep. that ended up being inside a dead reef - The signal kept reading over a flat part of a dead reef and and saw
a hole about a foot and a half away and wondered if target could have sank inside it and worked its way under the shelf - hole was filled with soft powder sand
- I had to lay my machine on the bottom and lay scoop across so i could hold onto the lip of the hole and fan with my other. My machine would have floated away
if i had to do it any other way - scoop might have too if "foamed" - long story short - i fanned all the way to the back of the hole - came to the surface and took
another breathe and went back under - i looked in and saw nice gold band wedged in the back with pieces of coral and broken shell - reached for it but could
not free it - got excited - i was only like 4 ft under the surface but felt like I was hunting 20ft on a ship wreck. Took one more breathe and went under again
and fanned hard and then wiggled it free - nice 18k band - Reason # 5 i wear a mask. Without a mask no one wouldve gotten it and even with a mask
-i think others would not have tried or may have given up on it thinking it way a sinker trapped in the coral.
I have had other situations where i needed my hands free and have done the same.
To each their own - what ever works for you