How I Got The Lead Out, Or If Lead Were Gold...

[Joe D.]

   So, been quite awhile since I have posted any good finds, not for lack of trying! I'm not as skilled or as lucky as many on this forum! But I had an interesting situation at one of my local beaches that was a learning experience, and actually sorta fun!

   I'm not generally a water hunter by "trade" for various reasons! One of the most notable, is that in a good part of my "detecting range", it is highly illegal to water hunt due to treasure leases with the State of Florida! Most of which are "owned" by the Mel Fisher family, which sublease to Treasure Coast salvagers, and are highly monitored by them, and law enforcement! So that's my disclaimer, and information for the unknowing!

   But there are beach water area's that are fair game for those who don't mind the generally murky water, and constant wave battering! One of those areas had an unexpected sand stripping event several day's ago that I had to try my hand at searching!

   Now to be up front, no treasure, or even clad was found in the water!😵 But nonetheless, it taught me much about the specific geology of the area, and how to search it! It was a rapid learning curve, as the monthly low tides don't wait for anyone to get there s**t together! I was using the Manticore with the M15 the first day, as I had hit a few beaches, and on the way home, stopped at this one! It is definitely too large for wavy water, and was overwhelmed by multiple targets! Nonetheless I managed a handful of lead and some beach clad up on the sand! Oh, and by the way, a scoop is useless in this situation, and I got tired of tossing it on the beach, or keeping track of where the waves took it! 

   So, I come back day two a bit wiser, and ready to rumble! Waterproof headphones, my M9 coil with green bumper, and armor on my coil cable to prevent ruining it on the rocks, and left the scoop in the truck! I thought for sure I was gonna get at least a ring or two with my lead weights this time!🥁 And no🤯; but a crap load of mostly old lead, and way too many signals to dig in an hour! So, the last day, at now the "not so low" tide, half the rocks were covered, and the water was near zero visibility, so search and especially recovery was slow!😵 I was just able to managed a few more sinkers; still a ton of signals, some of which were the same aluminum can bottoms locked under the shelves, that i hit the previous two days, and it was done! No treasures!😬

   So, in F350 fashion, I saved the "best" for last! I detected up the slope leaving the beachfront, into and old grassy area on the way to the shower! I got two pennies, but one was a 1927 wheatie, so it wasn't a total loss! I was rewarded immediately by some hidden fire ants that lit me up, as soon as i filled my hole!🤬 I will have the ankle scars to remember that find!

   I gained valuable experience, along with the makings of a potential ammo loading hobby!😉 And some great exercise! I haven't tallied up all the lead, but I'd say it was north of 100! I'm still convinced that the rings are in there, somewhere, but that will have to be another story some day!🤞🍀👍👍

 

[King-Of-Bling]

From my experience that looks more like a fishing area than say a swimming area. There might be some pirate gold somewhere if that's what your after. If I'm finding that much lead it is usually by a jetty or pier. On rare occasions those can be tossed up on shore from big storms. In which case I'm digging everything. Otherwise , that location is a waste of time. You didn't really even find coins , so that should tell you something....

[Joe D.]

   I've found plenty of clad, and some jewelry on that beach over the last few years! Used to have a lot of old silver from the 40's and 50's, but that has obviously been picked over for many years! It's actually one of my favorite nice, clean beaches here, and not too over used! But still has potential for some surprises, as well as a lot of fishing traffic! The rocks you are seeing are only temporarily exposed, as is a good part of this whole area! You will usually only see them after a good Noreaster, or hurricane! If there were ever any pirate gold here, nobody's telling, as the water would be locked down quicker than you could say "Pirate Gold"!🏴‍☠️👍👍

[F350Platinum]

Don't sell yourself short, I've experienced your experience 😅, I'd have "hammered" that spot myself with all those sinkers coming up. Even your coin got hammered, I'm amazed there was such a clear date. I know what you're after, and I've seen it. 👍

That whole strip of beaches there is a challenge even for the best with all the machines that pass coils over it. 🫤 No off season ever!

Apparently you really like a challenge yourself, the best spots for stuff are where the biggest free or pay parking lots are if you can beat the other detectorists after a holiday weekend. 😬 I can't imagine summer beach hunting in Florida (yet). 🥵

The only way to find anything is to get out there. 🍀 Great post showing the difficulty where you are. 👍

[King-Of-Bling]

Local knowledge is very important and often overlooked. It's all a numbers game for sure. I prefer mass amounts of people over time. The crazier , drunker the better ! When those areas dry up , its the smaller , less worked over beaches that can produce Gold scores.

[F350Platinum]

28 minutes ago, King-Of-Bling said:

Local knowledge is very important and often overlooked. It's all a numbers game for sure. I prefer mass amounts of people over time. The crazier , drunker the better ! When those areas dry up , its the smaller , less worked over beaches that can produce Gold scores.

Exactly right. For instant gratification highly visited places are the best, but I get what the OP is doing because I know him and the places he goes. 👍

[TampaBayBrad]

11 hours ago, F350Platinum said:

I can't imagine summer beach hunting in Florida (yet). 🥵

Bob this time of the year I hunt the sand early before the sun comes up and then hit the 85 degree gulf water around 7 a.m. to stay cool. Gone by 11 a.m. I would dread sand hunting down here in the middle of the day this time of the year, too. Just too dang hot. That's why water hunting rewards are picking up now. Everyone's in the water to stay cool losing stuff! 😆

[1491]

Much respect for all that digging!

[Joe Beechnut OBN]

23 hours ago, King-Of-Bling said:

Local knowledge is very important and often overlooked. It's all a numbers game for sure. I prefer mass amounts of people over time. 

My secret to finding gold this post...foot traffic...years of it

 

On 6/1/2025 at 12:58 AM, Joe D. said:

   I've found plenty of clad, and some jewelry on that beach over the last few years! Used to have a lot of old silver from the 40's and 50's, but that has obviously been picked over for many years! It's actually one of my favorite nice, clean beaches here, and not too over used! But still has potential for some surprises, as well as a lot of fishing traffic! The rocks you are seeing are only temporarily exposed, as is a good part of this whole area! You will usually only see them after a good Noreaster, or hurricane! If there were ever any pirate gold here, nobody's telling, as the water would be locked down quicker than you could say "Pirate Gold"!🏴‍☠️👍👍

That silver is still there more then likely its hiding. I have spots similar that were over ran with hunters for years, most have given up for now targets/silver/gold have became rare to find but I found if you frequent the spots often enough you start to see little areas that give up a few coins/silver/copper/nickels....... .when I come across those I know the pattern, gold is near and more then likely deeper. This may not hold true for your beach for every spot has so many variable's but from your post looks like you have a good plan and on the trail of the good stuff.