Arky

You were obviously paying attention! Well done. Fighting trash and ground noise and still scoring nugget is great.

Should be fine in a couple days, but light rain overnight and it's spitting snow right now.😒

It was great to run into you. More exercise than nuggets, but a few have popped out. You got home in time, nasty winds right now. Why else browse the forum with daylight left?

Thanks to all you Rye Patch Regulars for the info. On our way!

2 hours ago, Lunk said:

Howdy Arky,

this is the extended forecast from the Weather Bug app:

We are getting quite a bit of rain today, but it looks like we will be good to go after this weekend.

Thanks Lunk. My app shows the same, was more concerned about the roads, but they mostly drain pretty well.

We have tentative plans to head to Rye Patch ariving Monday or Tuesday of next week (April 8 or 9). Anyone have information on conditions? I've heard there has been a lot of rain/snow with more forecast into the weekend. It's a 2 day drive for us, so any info appreciated.

Mike

Gaia is my go to. Also paid version and am okay with screen on Samsung phone. 

My experience with the Axiom is similar to Andy's. I've been alternating between Sally's 6000 with a 10x5 Goldhawk coil and the Axiom and tend to default to the 6000 when she isn't using it. But the more I use the Axiom, the more I like it. Mostly use the 11" mono, mostly due to the size of the DD it came with, but reading your post, am seriously considering a smaller DD coil. As far as gold finds, I'd say the two are close to equal.

Always enjoy running into Lucky at Rye Patch. Friendly, funny, and informative. Rick look for the bright yellow Ranger come April.

Mike

All of the above, plus forgetting about the titanium in my shoulder when trying to pinpoint while kneeling. How many of you waste time trying to find your detector when you walk back to the truck for a break or wander over to check out what your partner is digging?

Very nice results Gerry! And I'm glad the 7k is still with us. 

Well done my friend. You always manage to find a new angle in hunting!

Sorry to hear about Robin, but we'll done on the hunt. 

It's rare, but a few 7000s have some sort of a glitch that keeps one from getting quiet settings. I struggled with mine, had a couple pros work with it, and eventually sent it back to Minelab. The replacement is a world quieter. Before the fix I did find gold, but it was really hard to hear.

That said, wet mineralized ground is tough and the above advice on settings should help.

Mike

Hey, just saw this post. Sally still has the prize nugget but I've continued to have success on smaller guys. Had to put a pause on the detecting for a shoulder replacement but come February we will be back at it in the SW deserts.

More to the point, Gerry, Lunk, Spencer, Mark. Eli, et al. are a great team and you won't regret attending.

Mike

I've had a great experience with John at Killer Bee. Used mine for several years and had them refurbished this year. Like new.

Guess I'm lucky because it's not an either-or choice for me. My detecting partner is my wife and we run both. If I had to choose one, it would be the 6000, but it is definitely close and I don't feel disadvantaged when Sally is running the 6000 and I'm on the Axiom. I like the A in hot ground and love the ergonomics. Have found small gold in beat-up club claims at Quartzsite with both and prefer the Axiom in hot rock settings.

If I was on a tight budget I'd go Axiom because I think it's more versatile out of the box. I agree that running in 3 or 4 on the A is best for learning the machine.

Like many of you, I had to get the fix on the 6000 and also prefer the CoilTek 10 x5 on the 6000 over the stock 11, but it is really a case of getting to know your tools and using the right one for the situation.

Lots of good advice on this thread. Having been in the field with Gerry and Lunk, I trust their advise. Would still be looking for the first nugget without their advice and training.

Mike

That's Rye Patch! Your experience is similar to my last couple trips. First trip with 6000 was really good. Next two were tough going, not skunked, but fewer nuggets and lots of 0 days. Way to be persistent.

I will dig for treats!

My friend Brad texted this pic from Rye Patch this a.m. Forecast is better in the coming days though.

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Over the last couple months I've met quite  few folks new to nuggetshooting. Many are frustrated at not finding gold, but are finding a lot of trash targets, including lead shot, and I find myself confessing that it took me more than 2 years on the calendar and 30+ days of detecting to find number 1. Part of my pep talk is to explain that this is a common experience, so stick with it. So the point of the question is to encourage newer detectorists stick with it and learn whatever they can from the real pros on this forum.

Agree Steve, sounds very reasonable. Love the forum and anything that keeps it fun for you is good.

Really nice find. It must be specimen week for Axiom in AZ! Yours is a lot nicer than mine, but I'm tickled anyway.

You can detect pretty much anywhere on BLM, but be aware of mining claims. There are tons of claims as you get close to the hills in any direction out of Quartzsite. A good option for some claim options is the Quartzsite Metal Detecting Club. Very inexpensive and you can join at the Miner's Depot. They have monthly outings, but the season is winding down and I'm not sure if there are more to come this year.