Any beach tips?

[eyedee]

My husband and I are new to this. Our detecor is three days old today. We live about forty miles off the Texas coast near Galveston/Surfside. Any tips out there for baby hunters?

[Toadie]

First and foremost, insect repellent.

Second, you may want to get yourself a sifter. I have dug at beaches before and always let my find get moved around with the sand before I wised up. Used to hunt Holley Beach LA on vacations but after the hurricanes, guess I won't be going there for a while.

Third, plenty of fresh water to drink.

Fourth a small bottle of vinegar for stings from a jellyfish, pour seawater over the affected area about ten minutes to deactivate any remaining toxins. (Fresh water releases remaining toxins instead of deactivating them, increasing the pain.) Then, soak the affected area in vinegar. Then apply ice.
If vinegar is not available, apply baking soda, rubbing alcohol, meat tenderizer, or diluted ammonia.
The old-fashioned cure is one's own urine since it contains plenty of ammonia.



We always had the best luck after a storm, when the waters were choppy and there was a lot of "black" sand coming in with the waves. A bucket with 1/4 nylon square mesh attached to a hole in the bottom works pretty good. Tried rabbit wire once but it scrathes up the finds pretty bad. Good thing about the bucket, you can always carry your stuff with you. I know there have been some CW finds over by Port Lavaca and a couple of other places near Galveston Bay but these were small.

Be careful about the "good" stuff. A state boy might catch you with some if you find any and seize all your equipment under the Texas Antiquity Laws.

Last of all, research the area you are hunting. Remember, the moving sand carries stuff with it and some locations you have research could have been "moved" by a 1/2 mile or so.

Hope this little bit helps.

James

[eyedee]

Thanks for all the good tips. I wouldn't have thought of the bug spray and it has been better than 30 years since I have lost an arguement with a jelly fish. I forgot about them. I guess sun screen wouldn't hurt.

I really appreciate the good advice. The bucket with the screen in it sounds like a real work saver.

[Toadie]

Can't believe I forgot the sun screen.. I seem to have that problem when I go to beaches as well. Guess that could explain why I always get burned. Hate those salt water burns. That is one reason why I prefer to hunt in late evening about two hours or so 'fore dark.

You could always get one ofthose plastic or metal feed scoops from the feed store (Tractor Supply has them) and drill 3/8" holes all over it to sift with as you scoop.

Are ya'll planning on doing any water hunting as well?? I never have myself but know a few people who does with good results.

James

[JimInPhilly]

The beach is the best place to hunt! Check out www.thegoldenolde.com, there is alot of beach info. for your area there.

Regards,
Jim

[dougdann]

Same area I hunt.
I'm 40 minutes from Galveston.

The beach around the Flagship Hotel is great.
Alot of hotels in that area so alot people walking through there.
This spot has yielded alot of change, keys, etc over the last few years.

Wherever the hotels are along the beach. The better areas to hunt for change.

Doug

[Steve in PR]

Originally Posted by eyedee

My husband and I are new to this. Our detecor is three days old today. We live about forty miles off the Texas coast near Galveston/Surfside. Any tips out there for baby hunters?

Well, first of all, if you find any babies, you might have to throw them back! But just in case, take some newborn Pampers along to avoid any accidents!

Just my 2 cents!

[eyedee]

I guess I need to find out size limits in our area. I'd hate to throw back something worthwhile.