Excellent, thank you very much gene, will definitely heed your advice. Do you tend to get a lot of nosey people lol?
May I pipe in here. DO you get rubber-neckers? Oh, yes. And smart asses, too. Occasionally you run into someone really nasty, but not often.
The average man or woman on the street has no real idea what you are up to. They know WHAT you are doing, but they can be curious about the 'why's' and 'how's' of it. For this bunch, one of my favorite responses is to always keep my pouch filled with trash. When someone gets to wondering what I am finding (how is it going, etc), I just pull out a wicked-ugly handful of trash and with a wild eyed look, say "See? It's a great day, woohooooo!..."
This usually runs em on along pretty good. Or, you can simply tell them you have been commissioned by the citizens beach council to clean up the trash. Again, pull out the same handful of foil and pulltabs and wave it around. I like to add, "And they are seeking volunteers to do this for free, in their spare time. Are you interested?"
If i do manage to get that gold ring i will make sure i post a pic of my finds, including trash lol, it shows the hard work that s needed to get that one important find, not that ive had it yet lol.
Whatever you do, don't stand around ogling the ring. Acknowledge it to yourself, and then put it in an INSIDE pocket, what all water hunters call a "deep hide." You may be surprised to know that some people are keen about what you are doing and will take great notice of you - if they think you have found something valuable.
Another question you will hear, more of a statement really, is this: "If you find something good (a diamond ring, gold, etc.), it's mine. " I usually just say, "Excellent! I charge by the hour and take a finders fee for all recoveries. I'll let you know when I find it."
Sometimes they say, "Did you find the ring I lost?" to which I usually say, "Not yet," and then I give them my rates and charges spiel.
Sometimes some one really has lost something, and you become an asset. These folks are in need and you can help.
Talk money and rewards with them later, after you have found their missing item.
But some people are more inclined to take what you have found, if they think you have found it. So be watchful while appearing nonchalant. Seeming to be a little crazy helps, too, and if you are built like a Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker... well, that can't hurt.
As for the scoop, i will be using the girlfriends collander, hope she doesnt find out lol.
Run, do not walk, to the nearest source of a bonafide sand scoop and buy one ASAP. There is no substitue for the right tool at the beach. Go to the nearest home center and get a large plastic scoop and drill 3/8" holes in it, if you want.. thet works good in the dry sand.
Something like is where you want to end up:
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=GAR1600971
Or this:
http://www.metaldetector.cc/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=365
I use one similar to this:
http://www.metaldetector.cc/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=389
And, all the best to you. I hope your first outings get you some real goodies.
David
