Need advice on fresh water swimming hole....

[ToastedWheatie]

I came across this once popular swimming hole, complete with swing rope. Still in limited use. Please click above video.
It is a very hard to get to spot (very steep gorge).
Looking at it, it's impossible not to envision years of gold jewelry that were lost and deposited here. Not quite visible in video is "seats" that would under a small falls when water is flowing in the summer. washing away the chains....
When I first came across it a few weeks ago, I walked around and it looked like it was only a few feet deep at the deepest. We have been in a little more that typical drought in the area, so I thought now was the time to take on this project.

I hiked down in there, but once I walk out into the water, I see it's about 5-6' of crystal clear water still there in the middle.

How do I detect this? Snorkeling would be difficult at that depth with nothing but an AT Pro, wouldn't it?
Do I need some scuba to do this right? Even the depths above three feet are problematic.
Sand scoops are worthless, as the top has 2" to 4" rock (single layer) with gravel underneath. In the spots I checked, gravel was only an inch or two thick, with flat rock underneath. About half of the bottom is exposed large flat rock.

I know this is beginner stuff, but I'm a land relic hunter. This type is new to me.
In the shallower edges, I used a 3 gallon pail, with holes drill in bottom for a screener, scraping gravel by hand into bucket. Only found some slag.

Waterproof pointer and snorkel it maybe?? I don't think I could stay down long enough.

 

[ron lord]

I would hunt it before next years snow melt.

 

[ToastedWheatie]

I would hunt it before next years snow melt.

Tropical Storm Joaquin is 24 hours away, and daytime temps drop after today.
It's done for this year. Planning for next year.

 

[Ccarson]

U can try pumping the water out or a hookah system for air.

 

[The Urban Prospector]

Scuba.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Would the AT Pro be OK completely submerged like that?

 

[sexton]

could not image dropping from a rope swing into that. I wish we had places like that here in Florida with no gators around.
Good luck on your swimming hole

 

[NEPADIGGER7]

the AT pro will be fine full submerged...make sure all ur connector are tight and flush....shorten the shaft and have some fun...good luck!

 

[OBN]

Make sure you take someone with you, exploring is great but around water you must be prepared for the worse.

Have a friend? that has been telling me about a place his dad use to go swimming when he was growing up, a fairly larger older town here in Maryland, and this was like the local swimming hole.

For the past 5 years I have bugged him about the location over & over and told him we had to go hunt it.. Just yesterday I got a text from him telling me one of his fishing buddies went in and

pulled a bucket of silver out of there... Well I'm going to text him again right now and see if he will share the location because I know there has to be tons of goodies left........... friend?

 

[Fletch88]

could not image dropping from a rope swing into that. I wish we had places like that here in Florida with no gators around.
Good luck on your swimming hole

We do have some, but not without gators at least somewhere in the area! I worry more about cottonmouths than the occasional gator I see before diving or snorkeling.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Be careful with those gators. I live on the Ross Barnett Reservoir and it has a healthy gator population. I can sit on my deck and watch them in the summer. I also get to watch people swim in that same water with no fear of the gators. However, gators do still attack humans....

Rescuers Describe Dramatic Save of Florida Woman Who Lost Arm to Alligator - ABC News

 

[cudamark]

I'd start with the mask and snorkel to see what's there. If you start finding good targets out toward the deep section, I'd then decide on hookah (if you're not scuba certified) or scuba if you are. As OBN mentioned, bring a buddy that can help you should you get in trouble. Your ATP is rated for 10', so, it should be good if you use some waterproof headphones and verify all the seals are good.

 

[CASPER-2]

Id use a small tank with a kayak rig - hookah to much and cumbersome to carry in
if you have full scuba - use that
or if you are a good swimmer would get Garrett water proof pinpointer and just dive down with a mask and check in the rocks and crevices

 

[teklord]

Id use a small tank with a kayak rig - hookah to much and cumbersome to carry in
if you have full scuba - use that
or if you are a good swimmer would get Garrett water proof pinpointer and just dive down with a mask and check in the rocks and crevices

Are you talking about one of those small rescue tanks that are used if your main tank runs out?
I am looking at a similar situation, a hookah would work best, but I don't want to haul it around on a Kayak.
I have a mask, Xcal, and waterproof Vibra-quatic. The spot I am looking at runs 8-10 feet down with clear water and only small gators. I hope.

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

You can snorkel with the AT Pro. That and a waterproof pinpointer could get you going. A better choice would be the Minelab Excalibur II with either the dive shaft setup or an extended shaft. Check out Aquachigger on Youtube.com and you can see his technique for water hunting in rivers.

Wayne

www.metaldetectingstuff.com

 

[snokid]

I have a very similar place, so I'm interested also.
SNUBA International, Inc. | Go Beyond Snorkeling
So is that what I need? I'm sure I must need a weight belt also.
Would someone with more experience enlighten us to how to be prepared...
I already have an excal would just have to dig out my short shaft.
and I would have a buddy with me.

 

[Sandman]

I would rather use the Excel than the ATP, however if that's all you have just don't disc out pull tabs or better yet use all metal. I would use a Sunspot scoop or if silt isn't to bad, a ping pong paddle to fan. Good Luck.

I wouldn't wait till next year!!!!!

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

Would the AT Pro be OK completely submerged like that?

Has a 10 foot depth it can be submerged to.I do it with my AT Gold all the time.

 

[ToastedWheatie]

Id use a small tank with a kayak rig - hookah to much and cumbersome to carry in
if you have full scuba - use that
or if you are a good swimmer would get Garrett water proof pinpointer and just dive down with a mask and check in the rocks and crevices

All great advice guys, thanks.

Carrying marine batteries or gas engines with fuel is not a pleasant option.

I would Sherpas to accomplish that.

Waterproof pointer and just diving down was my first thought, but I picture spending my time trying to relocate the signal each time.

Looking at the Brownie kayak set up as recommended. Maybe if invest a few bucks I'll start hitting some more of those water spots that no one else does.
(Christmas is coming... You reading this Hun?)

Sea Elite Surface Air Delivery System

How long (at less than 10' depth) will I get from one of the tanks? (80cf) With this, I could clear the whole spot in a few hours, or less.
Anyone know?

 

[Fletch88]

I would go full scuba. That rig still requires a tank and "most" reputable dive shops require a cert card to refill tanks. In addition the hookah style systems are still compressed air and I HIGHLY recommend a full scuba course to use either even though you don't plan on going 10' max you can still get in trouble in less than that if the wrong situation occurs. I have been diving since mid 80's and only combined detecting into it a couple years ago. The added distraction of looking for gold can make it easy for you to get in trouble. Just my personal opinion and recommendation.