Buckleboy--First Ever Beach Hunt

[BuckleBoy]

Hello All,

As some of you know, I got out on the beach for a little detecting for the first time ever. I used the F75 in the shallow water and wet sand areas with no trouble. It took some getting used to, as I had to use it manually ground balanced (no problem) in all metal motion mode. I found that I had to set the threshold at -1 or 0, and the ground balance was between 0 and 1 for wet salt sand, and occasionally as high as 3 or 5 for the dry sand. Although I feel certain I was losing some depth, it didn't appear to be a lot, and I dug corroded nails and bobby pins at 5-6 inches and a quarter at 10 inches.

I can see why some of y'all do this. Compared to sweltering heat in tick-filled woods in Kentucky in the summer, or frozen ground there in the winter, or humid, mosquito-filled sugar cane fields filled with ankle-deep, sticky mud in Louisiana...this was a breeze! Seriously, some of the most relaxing detecting I've ever done. I've hunted yards and cow pastures that were relaxing, but to just know that I could wander as far as I wished, and that the next day the sand would be different. That was great.

I did a couple hours one evening, which was mainly getting used to the settings and all metal motion mode, then I dug an earring which I believe to be silver, some toy cars, bottlecaps, and coins. The next and final day a wave receded and I saw the silver ring laying right on top of the sand. Was a great moment for me, and totally unexpected. Also dug the sunglasses, more change, a tiny skull (strange!), and the star find of the trip which I think just might be the Spyderco Volpe C99. Shame that the water has turned the olivewood grips black, but it is a genuine knife, and difficult to find now that it is discontinued.

Also found a "sea heart" (seed from the plant species entada giga which had floated all the way across the gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean).

This was a very welcome change, and I'll be doing this again. Might even consider buying a waterproof detector for the surf.

 

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[lookindown]

That was a great first beach hunt...nothing like hunting at the beach...you cant have a bad day because after all your at the beach...congrats.

 

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[BuckleBoy]

I see you've joined me Buck in finding a way to pass by the boring summer months. I bought a waterproof CZ-21 last summer to use for my salt beach hunting. I use it at the oceanfront in the wet sand, and also get into the water from waist to chest deep at other swimming areas that are protected by jetties. I also have a large, long-handled scoop for use in the water. The CZ does a great job although its quite heavy to swing. Target recovery in the water is a lot harder than it looks and takes quite a bit of practice to develop any proficiency. I like going at low tide early in the morning before the crowds and heat arrive, and the timing for that is coming again later this week. Hope you stick with it and continue to have success. Good luck.

Once I dig a gold ring at the beach I'll consider myself more proficient at it. I was pleased to find some jewelry this trip out as a beginner at beach hunting though, and found that heavier items were often in a line parallel with the shore. Am considering a CZ in the future but also considering a Tiger Shark. I can think of a lot of old haunts in Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, and West Virginia where I'd love to use one in fresh water at fords and swimming holes where I once had permission... I have a scoop, but will probably need to attach some flotation to it. Was not pleased with the fact that some items slipped through the scoop's holes on me. Long and short story--it's a different world, and will take some time and experimentation to optimize.

-Buck

 

[BuckleBoy]

Not a bad haul at all, I like finding the toy cars, I give the good ones to my grandson.
ZDD

If I'd had 'em on me the second day I would've given them to a cute kid who was out with his mommy playing in the sand. Instead I'm gonna give 'em to a friend's son on his 5th birthday this weekend.

Cheers,

Buckles

 

[BuckleBoy]

Looks like fun! I never hunted beaches...always in the fields like you. But with finds like that i have to think about a trip to the beach! Good score on the knive!

I just used the "aluminum foil and baking soda" cleaning method on the ring and it cleaned up beautifully. I used it on a couple of newer silver coins I dug this year to great effect.

 

[BuckleBoy]

An interesting assortment of [easy] finds.

Haha, trust me I needed a couple easy finds.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Yes, Buckle, your detector will detect any metal caught up in seaweed, under sand, etc.

Really nice finds! Some of us hunt beaches for years and never find the great stuff you found.

About the knife: try contacting Spyderco :: Spyderco :: and see if they can replace the wood on the knife.

Anita

Cool, I'll ask them. Would be neat if they'd recondition it.

Cheers,

BB

 

[BuckleBoy]

You & the F75 are a great team anywhere. Too bad you didn't find that ring before you bought Diggergirl one-LOL. HH, Q.

Haha, ain't that the truth! I could've told her "it's white gold, honey."

Funny thing is that it fits her, so guess where it's going... not to the display

I like finding things that are practical, and can be used. So I'd rather more of my finds get used and seen and enjoyed than end up in a case. Hell, I'll probably wear that ugly pair of sunglasses around. Or I could give 'em to Dman to go with his green golf shirt.

 

[BuckleBoy]

That was a great first beach hunt...nothing like hunting at the beach...you cant have a bad day because after all your at the beach...congrats.

That's the way I feel about hunting on land, too. Only time I really am a little upset if I don't do well on land is when it's 100 degrees and ankle deep mud, or 35 degrees out and blowing snow. But you're totally right. And let me tell you, that's the type of spirit that makes the best finds.

Best Wishes,

Buck

 

[okerraine]

Way to go! I can't wait to get out of the heat and mosquitoes here in Kentucky to find some sand treasure. Have never been but you have motivated me !

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Nice haul of goodies! You may want to test the stones in the silver ring, I found a 9.25 silver ring that was GF with 6 small diamonds in it!

 

[BuckleBoy]

Nice haul of goodies! You may want to test the stones in the silver ring, I found a 9.25 silver ring that was GF with 6 small diamonds in it!

Yeah, I'm wondering if they are. There are lots of stones, but all very, very tiny.

 

[AC1955]

BB: if you are eventually looking to upgrade your beach detector, look into the ExCalibur. My DH uses one and loves it. Many gold finds in the water and wet sand using it. Our best find (a diamond engagement ring) was found in dry sand using a White's V3i. The F75 is a great machine, too.

Hope you can get back to the beach again to hunt.