recovery techniques

[aarchie]

How about some tips on recovering finds from shallow to neck deep water?

Specifically:
How do you do it?

Everyone talks about quality metal scoops? Isnt that a problem knowing when the target is in the basket? As a land searcher, I think plastic cups are a handy is not necessary tool for determining if you got it. How do you check the recovery when you have a metal scoop (If the signal is gone from where you are digging, do you assume you have it)?

Is this a feel and foot thing? I'm certain everyone recovers and works the water in their own way, but I would think some techniques are similar. Just looking for a range of techniques and experiences to choose from...

I see people wearing wet suits and sometimes chest waders. I used to dive and use a shortie suit - never had a detector off the beach though. I fished a bit and am quite comfortable with hip and chest waders as well - again never tried detecting with them on. If you get to the limit of the chest waders at nearly neck deep, dont you have to go under to recover something at your feet. Wouldnt that be a "fillerup with brine please" experience? Just wondering what some of you prefer when the water is a bit cool? Don't chest waders become "wet" suits once thay reach the fill line?

In knee deep to waist or deeper water and surf, is there any need to see what you are doing, or can this be done Helen Keller style?

Links to any tips already posted are appreciated. Im having problems searching the database, so thanks in advance.

aarchie

MXT, GMII, RS3015, Garrett Relic Hunter BFO and now Sufr PI Pro....

 

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[TonyinCT]

The long handles scoop is still the way to go. You may have to remove two or three scoops to get the target. I am not sure of any other way unless you dive under to get closer to the spot.

 

[The Beep Goes On]

One method is to pinpoint the target, place your foot at the back of the coil, remove the coil, place your scoop in front of your foot, push the scoop into the sand and retrieve your target.

HH!
TBGO

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

The method Beep describes is what I use. I know I have it when I see it in my scoop, till then I keep digging and fighting the surf till I find it or lose the signal. (Which happens from time to time )

I found a Pulsar Solar watch this weekend standing in a trough in waist deep water detecting the walls, I had a signal but took me about 5 minutes to retrieve it with the surf and all.

 

[seas1to2]

the real fun is when the target goes thru the holes in the scopp, then you have to try an find it again, then its head to the beach with a basket full of sand or try an feel your way thru the scoop. some people use a floating screen to sort things out.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I use a set of Oceanic "farmer john" wet suit top and bottoms. 3 mm top and bottom gives me 6mm torso and I stay plenty warm in the Atlantic with them when water is cold. In the summer I just wear the tops, (long sleeve), in winter if it is warm I just wear the bottoms and if water and or air temp is cold I wear both. I got them on EBay for $35 and they are as close to new as you can get them with out buying in the store. They had only been worn once, and looked brand new. I use set of reef boots for my feet.

When your waders fill up with water I don't think your going to be warm if the water is cold.

 

[Sandman]

If using waders and they fill up you do just what you'd do while fishing, go ashore and empty them of water. A full wet suit is the way to go if the water is cool. Even in summer a farmer john pants will keep you warm in water up to your chest. For cooler water or more time being wet, the jacket is needed.

As was stated, use the foot to mark where the target is and use the long handled scoop to retrieve it. Sometimes more than one try is needed. If the waves aren't to bad you can lift up the scoop to see if the target is inside. In a heavy surf you will learn the best way with practice. Using a cheap scoop is just costly in the amount of time spent and the cost of replacing a broken cheap scoop.

HH,
Sandman

 

[aarchie]

good tips. Guess I will first start hunting for a good sized quality basket. With what seems to be a lot to read on scoops in the forum, I should be able to see what most of you use and recommend. muchas gracias...

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Wetsuit also protects you from the jelly fish down here. Jelly fish really burn.

I always wear mine even in the summer, I just dont wear the jacket when it gets too warm. There were times middle of this summer where the Atlantic was a chilly low 50's .

 

[surfrat96]

I use a mask and snorkel. Wear 35lb weight belt. With a wetsuit you have to add somemore weight. I usually hunt up to head high. I've found rings not even covered by sand in between some rocks! You also find paper money sometimes along the bottom.

When I hit a target, I just drop down to the bottom on my knees, and fan the spot until the target appears, then just pick it up.

HH 8) surfrat

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

If I wear 35 lbs of weights here while detecting in this surf someone going to be searching for my body with a metal detector. I'm hunting thigh to waist deep or deeper with 3 to 6 foot breakers most of the time. Scoop in my left hand weighs 6 lbs my detector in my right close to 5 lbs, my fat butt 200 lbs.

 

[Gulf Hunter]

Everyone has covered the topic well except for 1 very important detail in the surf. try to determine what direction the current is going. As you dig, face the bucket where the currrent is flowing into the bucket. This way you could save yourself an enormous amount of time recovering a target.

 

[The Beep Goes On]

Good point GH. Sometimes the wave surge in and out is worse than the current. If you time it right and are facing the right way you can take advantage of this, or at least try to minimize the effect.

HH!
TBGO

 

[spez401]

surfrat...
35lbs? I dive with a full wetsuit and all my gear (7mm farmer john style) and I don't wear 35lbs. lol

Unless the water is warm, go with the scoop. I only wish that the water here in RI was warm... if so i'd be spending a lot more time in the water myself. When I've been to the carribean, I've used the dive and fan method, and the scoop.both work well depending on the depth and conditions.

steve

 

[surfrat96]

surfrat...
35lbs? I dive with a full wetsuit and all my gear (7mm farmer john style) and I don't wear 35lbs. lol

Unless the water is warm, go with the scoop. I only wish that the water here in RI was warm... if so i'd be spending a lot more time in the water myself. When I've been to the carribean, I've used the dive and fan method, and the scoop.both work well depending on the depth and conditions.

steve

Spez, I used to use a scoop and wade, but learned the "fanning" method using mask and snorkle. Having done both, I'm positive you miss a lot of good stuff not seeing the bottom. On a clear day you can also see more areas that are good for hunting with a mask on, and don't forget finding paper money!

I use 35lb weigts. When I hit my target I want to drop down fast and stay in the same spot. Using less weight, it's harder staying in that same spot if there's any current or waves. I weigh 182lbs.

HH 8) surfrat

 

[Sandman]

I was lucky in seeing the best chain I've recovered by eyeballing it laying on bottom while wading in chest deep water. It weighs 65 grams and only about one inch was sticking out of the sand. I thought it was an earring till I waved the coil of the detector over it and it sounded like I set it on the car hood. If I wasn't wearing polarized sunglasses I might have missed it. I've recovered quite a few chains by snorkeling in swim areas.

Thirty-five pounds of lead is what I used to keep my butt on the bottom while detecting an it definitely helps in a current. Course I would never do this without a quick release belt and BC.

HH,
Sandman