Snorkeling and detecting

[Lasivian]

I know some of you just give up on trying to keep your head above water all the time, any tips on this from a landlubber?

Thanks

 

[rehless]

Hello. I live in the Puget Sound area(Bellevue) and hunt the lakes often. Especially Spring and fall. Was in Lake Washington this morning.
When you say snorkel, are you wading or snorkeling? Either way I assume you are using a snorkel with your mask. Just breathe thru the snorkel.
If you are wading, you have to hold your breath if you get above the snorkel. I snorkel 95% of the time. Do not wade, but I do dive. Hope this
helps.

 

[JoeSWFla]

Snorkeling with the detector is my favorite way to hunt in the summer.From arms length to
6' deep.Just ease along till I get a signal,then drop down and fan it out.I use dive weights.
Usually 25-40 lbs.,so I can sink fast and stay put.Just make sure you know how to dump
the weights fast,and NEVER cover the buckle with anything-must be immediate dump.
A couple of people I've heard of have died due to weights and panick,so a little caution
and practice dumping weights is good.But in hot weather and somewhat clearer water,it's
a pleasant way to hunt.Only thing better would be scuba/hooka.Good luck and HH Joe

 

[Lasivian]

Hello. I live in the Puget Sound area(Bellevue) and hunt the lakes often. Especially Spring and fall. Was in Lake Washington this morning.

Oh awesome, i'm right next to you in Greenwood

How did you do this morning?

When you say snorkel, are you wading or snorkeling? Either way I assume you are using a snorkel with your mask. Just breathe thru the snorkel.
If you are wading, you have to hold your breath if you get above the snorkel. I snorkel 95% of the time. Do not wade, but I do dive. Hope this
helps.

I don't know, i'm totally new to water hunting. I've been mainly hunting the local Seattle parks since I got here in September. Just wondering how many people waded versus dove.

My Excal 2 is still a few months away

 

[chipveres]

When you are close up to shore, fins just get in the way. You want sneakers or dive boots. And a stupid suggestion: wear thin nylon socks under the shoes. It largely prevents the chafing you get from fine sand in your shoes.

Chip V,

 

[JOe L]

I was certified in diving many years ago and stopped awhile back. NOW, I am reentering the water, snorkeling and diving. I think it opens up the avenue allot. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[Lasivian]

And a stupid suggestion: wear thin nylon socks under the shoes. It largely prevents the chafing you get from fine sand in your shoes.

All suggestions or ideas are appreciated

I'm guessing alot of you wear wetsuits, but what about a drysuit? I'm planning on getting a kayak as well and if I want to go out in the cold on it I think a dry is pretty much required here for that. Could I use it for detecting in the water as well, or should I get a wet and a dry?

 

[JP]

When you are close up to shore, fins just get in the way. You want sneakers or dive boots. And a stupid suggestion: wear thin nylon socks under the shoes. It largely prevents the chafing you get from fine sand in your shoes.

Chip V,

I use regular white socks. They do wonders, prevents blissters from sand rubbing inside. Also, dive boots with the zipper on the side are the easiest to put on and remove.

 

[Thor!]

Mask and snorkel is pretty much the only way I hunt! It is relaxing and rewarding. Here on the cape the beaches are crowded and there are quite a few guys who detect in the mornings when I can't. I tend to stay in freshwater ponds I found an older summer community beach with cottages dating probably to the 50's. It had never been hunted and it took me 3 summers to clear it out. I dug tons of nails hooks sinkers etc. But I also got buffalo's, gold rings, silver rings, loads of wheat's, lead soldiers and other cool stuff very few silver coins though (?). I even found a '79 class ring that I was able to return to the owner! I dig every signal I get to remove stuff from blocking fainter deeper signals. I have a 1280x and it gets real deep with no disc and full sensitivity. You have to go real slow and deal with some chatter but if you can get a repeat on the faint "fvvt" it is worth digging. I have noticed that after 6' the targets drop significantly. I would like to get certified to dive to check around some of the current and removed rafts. I bet there are some good targets there!

 

[rehless]

Lasivian, Got a small 1ok ring. Was snorkeling a beach park on Lake Washington. Went out again this morning. Fought my way thru the nails. Got a handful of clad, four wheaties and a really small 14k. The only thing about drop and fan is if the target is deep, you may need to come up for air. I find a hell of a lot of goodies snorkeling at arms length. If I figure there is some thing out further, I put on a tank. Get a water machine and short divers rod, snorkel and mask, small well built garden trowel and get after it.