Scoop while hunting waist/chest deep

Slimpickins · Apr 15, 2023

Holding it is a PITA so attaching it to a weight belt with yellow polypropyline rope which floats might be a good choice or let it float on an inflatable something behind you I'm sure someone has the answer.
Thanks

OBN · Apr 15, 2023

I think I understand your post. Your asking how we hunt using a scoop in the water, is it attached to us or do we just let it float?
I use brass swivel eye snaps for both the scoop and sifter, both with nylon dock line, I think it's 3/8. My sifter line is about 10 foot and the scoops is 4 feet, both are hooked to my finds pouch belt which goes around my waist over my shoulder. Also I have a watch, whistle and rescue beacon on the belt.

Slimpickins · Apr 17, 2023

Thanks OBN,
Great video. I'll try your method. I couldn't see where you attached the line to the scoop. That's a good looking finds bag. Those zippers look rugged unlike the cheapo skinny zippers on my Whites finds bag that broke shortly after buying it. It takes a lot of patience to scoop your target when you can't see the bottom for me it's totally guess work. I use my mask and snorkel whenever possible for that reason as the water isn't that cloudy most of the time. It was suggested to me long ago to attach a sock filled with sand to the bottom of the rod on my Whites PI Dual Field to keep the coil from floating off the bottom. I'll give it a try because unfortunately for me the Nox 800 is out of warranty so no more drowning experiences for the Nox

ARC · Apr 17, 2023

Closed cell foam filled handle.

OBN · Apr 17, 2023

On the scoop I have the rope tied to the scoop shaft, 2 inch shrink tape to keep it in place. i have a couple spots where I can pull on when the scoop is deepin a hole. Sand paper is a great gripper when wearing gloves. Water here come May gets very low vis, all caused by the boat traffic sturring up the muck and silt. Winter the water is almost crystal clear.

2Peas · Apr 17, 2023

OBN said:
I think I understand your post. Your asking how we hunt using a scoop in the water, is it attached to us or do we just let it float?
I use brass swivel eye snaps for both the scoop and sifter, both with nylon dock line, I think it's 3/8. My sifter line is about 10 foot and the scoops is 4 feet, both are hooked to my finds pouch belt which goes around my waist over my shoulder. Also I have a watch, whistle and rescue beacon on the belt.

View attachment 2079067

Good to see your going out prepared. 👍

Treasure_Hunter · Apr 17, 2023

If you put a swim noodle on the handle it will stand on its own in the water.

ARC · Apr 17, 2023

Treasure_Hunter said:
If you put a swim noodle on the handle it will stand on its own in the water.

Closed cell foam filled handle.

djackson7348 · Apr 17, 2023

ARC said:
Closed cell foam filled handle.

This is the method I have used for years.

Treasure_Hunter · Apr 17, 2023

I like the noodle on the handle as it gives padding when I carry it on my shoulder, scoop weighs 5 pounds with handle.

ARC · Apr 17, 2023

Treasure_Hunter said:
I like the noodle on the handle as it gives padding when I carry it on my shoulder, scoop weighs 5 pounds with handle.

Never weighed any of my scoops over the years... but i would say the one i use most weighs at least 5-7.
Never shouldered mine either... so.

cudamark · Apr 19, 2023

Calm water is one thing, surf is another. In surf, I use a scoop with a D-handle and no tether. If you let go of a tethered scoop in the surf, waves can beat that scoop up against you and/or get you tangled in it. In surf, I don't want anything tethered to me for that reason.

OBN · Apr 19, 2023

Was watching a (friend) hunter in OC Md several years ago from shore. He had a pool noodle on the handle of the scoop. He let go for a second..and it was gone. After about 30...... long seconds he did get lucky and recover it.

CudaMark, you are right about rolling in the surf with a scoop attached. Did not catch that one on video...I got knocked down once in the surf and I got tangled up.. my leg looked like it had got bit by a shark! The scoop can be deadly in the wrong conditions.