Detecting the HIGH Tide.

[bdahunter]

Yes, the High Tide and no I haven't lost my marbles or decided to turn in my scoop for a shovel and become a dirt fisher. There are circumstances where detecting the High Tide is the right way to hunt.
Of course all surf pirates work the Low Tide normally because we can get out deeper into the Mine then and get the gold but that's not always the way to hunt a beach.
After a bit of a blow that was strong enough to stir things up but not strong enough to tear the Mine open, this can be the time for a High Tide hunt. You'll notice a change in colour of the sand at the base of where the wetsand would be at Low tide and you'll feel it too because this sand will be a lot softer than the harder packed sand at the base of the slope. Work the edge of the soft sand and up into it about a full sweep and you will often find small but good finds there, this is the only time I'll hunt soft sand. Ladies Rings, earings and other bits of jewellery.
When the surf conditions are right, the waves will cut up the beach and pull part of it down into the wetsand (usually there is a small cut in the dry sand). The waves won't be strong enough to have torn open the Mine and while they have torn up the beach the waves piling in tend to concentrate the finds along the base of the wet sand slope. The wave action is strong enough to pull part of the beach into the water but not strong enough to pull the sand out deeper and fill in the Lane. Basically, the waves break on the beach but the constant short frequency waves keep the sand pulled down trapped there. Sometimes this is pronounced with a soft sand shelf and other times it is more gradual but definitely hunt this area if you are at the beach for High Tide. If you like diamond rings, this is a good place to look. If you find that the low tides conflict with your schedule but the high tide will allow you a hunt after work, check for these conditions and with a little bit of luck you'll be posting some nice finds.

Cheers,

BDA

[Buster]

Good info BDA....Buster....

[The TINMAN]

As Always bda Thank You for Sharing your Knowledge !! Have you ever used a Tide Clock... What are your thoughts on them if any ?

[bdahunter]

I always stay abreast of the tides with a tide chart because I not only want to know when the tide is but how low it will be vs. how high it was. Big changes in tides tend to stir things up especially if the wind is strong and from the right direction. I sort of keep a mental note of where the wind is coming from, how strong it is and what the variance in the tides was over a 4 day period. Any longer doesn't make sense because by then the loot will have settled out of detecting range. This is how I plan my hunts.

Cheers,

BDA

[gordiesgirl]

Learn something new everyday, thanks for sharing.

[prizm-pal]

bda I know I am noodle head.. but will be trying out the xcal in fl next week...you will be busy...new job...I will post the gold when I get back..I will use all the tips you have given us on my hunts Thanks bda..good luck to you on you're new mission!

[crusher44]

I've been metal detecting since the 1960s (BFO Detectors) and have come to realize that a beach can never be hunted out. Beaches are always changing from the wind, tide, and just people walking over them.
I have found rings, coins, and all kinds good stuff from the parking lot down and below the low tide line. People drop things all over the beach, including myself. One day I'll work the high tide line, then the next time the low tide line right into the water, with some of my best finds about half way down to the water line. Detectors get better every year go deeper and find less trash and more good stuff. Remember people put their
clothes on their blankets before they go into the water and put their valuebles in their pockets, thats where the good things fall out when they leave for the day.

[Bryan Jon]

BDA that is some great information. Thank you for sharing!