For those of you who think detecting in Florida is so good then please read on.
I have just finished a road trip to visit family and detect some gulf beaches. The reason for this post is to clarify the realities of finding gold jewelry and the conditions on the beaches for those of you who are new. The old timers know what I am saying.
During my trip I hunted the following beaches: Clearwater, Sand Key, Indian Rocks, Maderia Beach, St. Pete Beach, Pass-A-Grille, Ft. Desoto (both beaches), Howard Beach and Dunedin Beach. I spent many hours water hunting and dry sand too. I had a good time but absolutely NO GOLD. My totals were 2 silver rings, one silver toe ring, a frog bracelet, several pieces of junk jewelry. I did manage about $25 in clad and a 5 dollar bill. The conditions in Jacksonville are the same.
Total silver melt of my finds are less than $20. Add that to the clad my total is $45. I spent $18 in entry fees to hunt and probably $35 in fuel. Lucky for me I did not pay at Clearwater to park. CDV showed me a free parking spot and I was lucky to get one, otherwise I would be another $15 in the negative.
Conditions of all beaches is sanded in. One beach is not but digging there is torture. Some beaches I found a few pennies and canslaw. Of course they say beaches change quick but I have not seen that. A popular web site that centers around the Treasure Coast beaches rates the conditions daily. I have not seen his rating go above a two (5 being best) in a year.
So, the moral of the story is this is a HOBBY. You might find some goodies and that will make your day but not often. I will keep digging because I enjoy the hobby. As long as you understand that finds are tough then you will be OK. Otherwise your detector will grow cobwebs in the closet due to frustration. A recent post by another hunter asked if he could expect to pay for his motel room during the week he was going to hunt. This shows that he has not grasped the reality. Buying a $2400 machine is not going to change a thing. Good luck on your hunts! Summer is coming, maybe the beach will cooperate but only mother nature knows.
I have just finished a road trip to visit family and detect some gulf beaches. The reason for this post is to clarify the realities of finding gold jewelry and the conditions on the beaches for those of you who are new. The old timers know what I am saying.
During my trip I hunted the following beaches: Clearwater, Sand Key, Indian Rocks, Maderia Beach, St. Pete Beach, Pass-A-Grille, Ft. Desoto (both beaches), Howard Beach and Dunedin Beach. I spent many hours water hunting and dry sand too. I had a good time but absolutely NO GOLD. My totals were 2 silver rings, one silver toe ring, a frog bracelet, several pieces of junk jewelry. I did manage about $25 in clad and a 5 dollar bill. The conditions in Jacksonville are the same.
Total silver melt of my finds are less than $20. Add that to the clad my total is $45. I spent $18 in entry fees to hunt and probably $35 in fuel. Lucky for me I did not pay at Clearwater to park. CDV showed me a free parking spot and I was lucky to get one, otherwise I would be another $15 in the negative.
Conditions of all beaches is sanded in. One beach is not but digging there is torture. Some beaches I found a few pennies and canslaw. Of course they say beaches change quick but I have not seen that. A popular web site that centers around the Treasure Coast beaches rates the conditions daily. I have not seen his rating go above a two (5 being best) in a year.
So, the moral of the story is this is a HOBBY. You might find some goodies and that will make your day but not often. I will keep digging because I enjoy the hobby. As long as you understand that finds are tough then you will be OK. Otherwise your detector will grow cobwebs in the closet due to frustration. A recent post by another hunter asked if he could expect to pay for his motel room during the week he was going to hunt. This shows that he has not grasped the reality. Buying a $2400 machine is not going to change a thing. Good luck on your hunts! Summer is coming, maybe the beach will cooperate but only mother nature knows.