I have a friend that just hunted crystal beach and had pretty good luck this past weekend. He claims it is a good beach to hunt as it stays busy during summer and holidays. He only hunted wet and dry sand areas not in water with old analog whites machine.
Jim, here are some of the local spots:
East Beach - lots of cans here, it's the alcohol allowed beach
Stewart Beach - largest family friendly beach
Pleasure Pier - lots of traffic due to amusement rides
61ST Street - beach where the surfers hang out, lots of pendants here
San Luis Hotel Beach - resort beach
Galvez Beach - resort beach
The only place to stay out of on Galveston - small section of beach called Galveston State Park, detecting there is not allowed.
Crystal Beach is good, it got destroyed a few years back from Ike.
Ground balance your AT between 0-20, it's a mineralized beach. Good targets will break through the chatter.
Have fun, and if you need anything, give me a call! I'm 76 miles north of the seawall LOL!