Having absolutely no experience hunting on any beach, I am very curious as to what location has been the most productive for you, coins, rings, bracelets, etc...
By location i mean ankle deep, knee deep, waste deep, at the wave line, towel line, top of the beach where the chickens sit?
I am going to be headed to Florida soon and would like to get everyone's opinion so I can maximize my time.
Thanks in advance,
Joe S.
Joe: If you ever were a boy scout, you already know the answer is: “Be Prepared”
Assuming your next question is prepared for what:
I would say it depends upon the detector you will be using.
If you will be using a single frequency VLF metal detector, which is most likely, you will be most effective detecting on dry sand.
A multifrequency VLF detector or a pulse Induction detector (PI) is normally needed to hunt on the wet sand and in the water
because of the mineralization /salt will drive a single frequency VLF and you Nut So chasing ghost signals.
That is unless you are very skilled, and can sacrifice detection depth.
This is not as bad as it sounds as the found jewelry, mostly fresh drops, will be in better condition.
Though the jewelry tends to be lighter. I have found some of my best stuff high and dry,
even though I spend the least amount of time hunting there.
Again be prepared: Think Lawrence of Arabia on a one day campaign.
It is tough walking on the loose sand, you need to keep things light, protect yourself against the sun, keep hydrated, flap hat.
A Garrett pro pin pointer (side lobe) works well with a spade and composit scoop (you have to drop knee/bend over/prone out)
to rapidly sift sand where there are lots of targets close together.
I like the late evening best, to start hunting when people are leaving as it is easy to find parking and you don’t have to be worried about being fried.
You still need to arrive early enough to have time to scout out where the older people gather as they wear the most expensive jewelry,
unless you are into new age materials and coins of clad. If there are a competitors, you will have not be able to wait till the sun bathers
start to depart (optimum time) then detect into the night as long as you dare or till you drop.
Be aware that it is more difficult to see with head lamps and it will be much harder to fill the holes as you lose depth of perception.
Also if you are using red LEDs so that you don’t lose night vision every ring will look gold.
You will have a second shot at it, best before sunrise so that you can treasure hunt before it gets hot and too many pesky depositors return.
Even though gold platinum and silver can be found almost everywhere on the beach it will seldom be under your coil as your looking for centimeter size targets over acres of sand. Use a hit and run tactic working the most productive beaches.
Repeat this cycle day after day till you have to return home. Then start all over when you return.
By the way: its people watching skills that matter most here.
You don’t need to be able to read the beach nor do you have to time the tides.
Though you can pretty much tell what the tides are by when competitors arrive and depart.
Good Luck and Good Hunting
“It’s a rough job, but someone has to do it.”
