Favorite wet sand and shallow salt beach scoops?

[Billinoregon]

Lots of them out there and a wide range of prices. What's your favorite and why?

 

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[Sandman]

Alot depends on the bottom material such as sand, shells, small rocks, etc. Stainless steel is stronger and lasts longer than Alum though Alum is lighter mainly because those scoops are smaller dia and lenght. I've used many and now prefer the Sunspot Stealth in the large size for salt and the smaller one for freshwater.
http://www.gold-scoop.com/thescoop.html

 

[hamiddetecting]

I agree with Sand man.

 

[search and recovery]

I too use the large Sunspot scoop and it is built like a tank. Although there are several good scoops on the market to choose from.

 

[Billinoregon]

That's a great looking scoop all right. I was also looking at the RTG. A factor in my choice is that I may only get to the beach four or five times a year. Hate to tie up so much money in a tool that sees only occasional use. If I lived closer than two hours from the sand, I would not hesitate.

 

[MBbeachrat]

I agree with Sandman. Sunspot Also the best for getting things quickly out of the surf

 

[Billinoregon]

Do any of you make your own handles, even though Sunspot recommends against this?

 

[MBbeachrat]

All my handles still work fine. Did add the grip assit lift. You won't be sorry. If sandy area get the big one. You'll get use to it quick.

 

[Craig-PI]

I use the Babbs aluminum scoops with the stainless lips... I am not a fan of the 90 degree scoops...

The scoop on the right has 8 years of hard digging on it and I still use it at times... the one on the left I asked to be made custom for me... I needed the larger scoop for the Dual Field...

 

[Native Floridian]

I too use an aluminum scoop similar to Craig's. The lighter weight is a factor when hunting for long stretches of time.

How strong are they? I ran mine over with my car. Right front wheel went right over the basket. It bent it slightly. The scoop was still fully usable for the day's hunt. The handle wasn't affected. When i got home I used a pry bar to completely straighten out the basket. Today, over a year later, the scoop is still seeing every hunt use. Light weight and strong!!!!

As far as shelling out for a good scoop: Only a rich man can afford cheap tools. If you want to beach hunt, and are serious about it, you need the right tool for the job.

 

[Billinoregon]

Craig, Native Floridian, thanks for sharing your experiences. I am debating between and Sand Shark and White's DF; what is it about the DF that requires the bigger scoop, Craig? NF, I hear where you are coming from!
I will Google the Babbs scoops.

 

[Craig-PI]

Where I dig in the mud and rocks I just wanted a better chance of getting the target on the first or second scoopfuls...

Craig, Native Floridian, thanks for sharing your experiences. I am debating between and Sand Shark and White's DF; what is it about the DF that requires the bigger scoop, Craig? NF, I hear where you are coming from!
I will Google the Babbs scoops.

 

[GroundHog]

with the high cost of scoops I decided to build my own. I built all these for under $60.. 2 sand scoops and 2 gem scoops

 

[CASPER-2]

may be of help to some
NOV/DEC 2009 ARTICLE ON BEACH/WATER SCOOPS | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
its 9 pgs long - most of pgs are pics

 

[CASPER-2]

the models with the wood handles that go into the scoop basket - I hate
coins and thin rings get caught under the wood and have to fight to get out
specially in the cold months where I wear thick gloves - forget about it
I got one I used twice and wasted so much time trying to get finds out of it - it sits in corner of my
garage collecting cob webs

 

[Billinoregon]

Casper, thanks for the article link. Very nicely written. I was very impressed by the Nuttall scoops in the links posted at the end of your piece.
Also have an e-mail in to Mr. Babb.