Beach Hunting And Reading The Beach

[JoeDigs]

Can I get some of veteran beach hunters to chime in and provide some feedback. This is my first year hunting on the beach so I am trying to learn more about how to find conditions that are favorable and I believe that learning how to read the beach is crucial. I have quickly adapted to hunt the water and I can say I haven't done to bad for my first year. I have done okay on the surf and dry sand but I much rather hunt the water. If anything, you stay much cooler in the water and so far there are more finds to be had in the water. I guess my questions revolves about those days where the winds are high the water is not safe to hunt that I have questions on. 

Comment then a Question, I've been told  that drops in the water generally stay very close to where they landed on the ocean floor and that the wave action buries them deeper until they hit shell or hard bottom and that they stay there until a rough storm moves them towards the shore. So during the summer season (without storms) how do rings end up in the surf or even the high tide line. I often find rings there and wonder how do they arrive there if they are buried where they fall.

Also, to improve finding more rings or jewelry, once you establish the coin line in the surf where do you feel the heavier jewelry is? Are they in the toe line (Money line) where the waves are breaking?

Lastly, what conditions am I looking for (meaning wind direction or wave action) that sands in the beach burring targets in water to deep for my metal detector. There are days when there are no cuts in the surf but the sand in the water is all mushy and soft and vice-a-versa sometimes the surf is mushy and soft and obviously I avoid these areas as they add lots of new sand making it more difficult to find heavy targets.

Thank you in advance for your comments, I'm learning there is definitely a science for hunting on the beach. If anyone knows a good book or which you tube channel may help me would be appreciated.

 

 

[Joe Beechnut OBN]

First, every beach can be different. Where is your general location, this will help us give you a better answer.. 

[okara gold]

Sometimes, there is no rhyme or reason as to where jewelry is found. I have gone to the beach during high tide, where supposedly your chances of finding gold is poor, only to have the first target I dig turn out to be a gold ring.  3 hours later, I had a gold ring and 1 penny in my pocket. It could have been a recent drop or who knows how it ended up there. Some claim the heavier gold rings are out deep, where the men tend to go, but I have found them at all depths. I have found gold in the oatmeal mush sand, but not as often as a harder-packed bottom that I will hunt extensively. 

Jewelry can be found anywhere people go. Some folks love looking for shells on the water's edge, which can lead to items being lost in that area. At high tide, they walk along the upper slope of the beach, losing their valuables in that area. Jewelry can be found all over the beach. My preference is low tide, whether on the wet sand or in the water. HH

[stateguy]

Look at the nearest beach cam where the beach you want to hunt. See what direction your beach is bacing
Look too see what wind cuts the beach on most occasions. I can’t figure it out on every occasion but have a general idea. On my beaches if there is a positive high tide (1 + tide) usually the water comes up too high and there really isnt much of a low tide to hunt. I also look too see if the beach has a steep slope too it and an easterly wind will cut the beach. If the beach is flat most likely the beach will not cut at the high tide mark. 

[JoeDigs]

I my general area is all of South Florida Beaches

[JoeDigs]

15 hours ago, okara gold said:

Sometimes, there is no rhyme or reason as to where jewelry is found. I have gone to the beach during high tide, where supposedly your chances of finding gold is poor, only to have the first target I dig turn out to be a gold ring.  3 hours later, I had a gold ring and 1 penny in my pocket. It could have been a recent drop or who knows how it ended up there. Some claim the heavier gold rings are out deep, where the men tend to go, but I have found them at all depths. I have found gold in the oatmeal mush sand, but not as often as a harder-packed bottom that I will hunt extensively. 

Jewelry can be found anywhere people go. Some folks love looking for shells on the water's edge, which can lead to items being lost in that area. At high tide, they walk along the upper slope of the beach, losing their valuables in that area. Jewelry can be found all over the beach. My preference is low tide, whether on the wet sand or in the water. HH

Okay, I see. I try to get as many steps on the beach and the more I walk, whether on the sand, surf, or water the more targets I get. I guess I am trying to improve my odds on days I can only do a two hour hunt as opposed to a weekend 6-7 hour hunt which obviously, I do better. Thanks

[mn90403]

18 hours ago, Joe Beechnut OBN said:

First, every beach can be different. Where is your general location, this will help us give you a better answer.. 

Joe D,

Joe B's question is a key.  This allows us to help you by determining predominant swell direction, storm events and currents.  These are a portion of the energy events which can affect a beach over time during a day or season.

I live at a beach and I look at the surf report as often as I can to help me look for the energy spots.  

https://www.surf-forecast.com/

You've just posted that you go to South Florida Beaches which I assume take you from the Gulf to the Atlantic.  Lots of choices there.  So many different variables.

[JoeDigs]

2 hours ago, stateguy said:

Look at the nearest beach cam where the beach you want to hunt. See what direction your beach is bacing
Look too see what wind cuts the beach on most occasions. I can’t figure it out on every occasion but have a general idea. On my beaches if there is a positive high tide (1 + tide) usually the water comes up too high and there really isnt much of a low tide to hunt. I also look too see if the beach has a steep slope too it and an easterly wind will cut the beach. If the beach is flat most likely the beach will not cut at the high tide mark. 

Okay, got it. That's a good idea. I will checkout to see where I can find beach cams in my area. Good tip

[JoeDigs]

2 minutes ago, mn90403 said:

Joe D,

Joe B's question is a key.  This allows us to help you by determining predominant swell direction, storm events and currents.  These are a portion of the energy events which can affect a beach over time during a day or season.

I live at a beach and I look at the surf report as often as I can to help me look for the energy spots.  

https://www.surf-forecast.com/

You've just posted that you go to South Florida Beaches which I assume take you from the Gulf to the Atlantic.  Lots of choices there.  So many different variables.

I mostly do the Atlantic side, Deerfield, Fort-Lauderdale, Hollywood, Miami and on occasions I will drive on to the Gulf to Naples Beaches.