Best time to hit beaches ?

[JOHNMARKHAM]

Ok now some will say this is a bad question
we have some possibilities next week of having some storms or hurricanes
in gulf and east coast, now my question is when would be the best time to hit the beaches?
I know not during lighting and strong winds, is it best to go before or after storms?
I'm still new to this hobby and have read allot about hitting beaches after a storm,
where would one want to go ?lol I know but I gotta ask !
I'm not asking for secret spots, as a newbie where and when would I really would wanna go ?
Thanks for the info
John

 

[Mat in MA]

[size=large]If you can get out there before all the people without metal detectors hit the beach. Yup, they know the sand is cleaned out after a storm. I've seen people scoop up coins, toy cars, jewelry, etc without ever using a metal detector. I just wish that I lived closer to the beach to be able to do that.

If you can find a marker on the beach somplace such as a pier piling and put a mark on it at the SAND line then you will know if the storm brought in more sand or removed it so you will be closer to the goodies. If you don't have a pier, then somplace along the beach plant your own marker to see how the sand moved.

[/size]

 

[S.S.Tupperware]

There are a few condo stairs I watch and then I can tell how much sand moved. Go out during the storm and you'll be on the news like the fool surfers...

 

[kered]

All depends what the storm does, bring in sand or take it out, i keep an eye on any beach webcams available, lots of surf sites have em, take a snapshot of the webcam window open using Ctrl+Alt+print screen and paste into Paint(rather than just printscreen that takes in everything) later compare them, quite often small gullies,depretions and cuts appear that would be missed at a glance

 

[woodwizard]

I used to live in Tampa area and hunted on both coasts just as soon as your able to safely-I've seen people out there in rain gear during the eye before-me I wait till its over

 

[thinkin2]

If the storm is strong enough there will be mandatory evacuations issued most likely. If this happens then nobody will be allowed back on the beaches until the local government gives the all clear and usually this will only apply to residents for a period of time. At least that's how it is on the beaches and barrier sea islands around here. I would think that beaches to the north and south of where the storm actually comes in would be good places to check out. But, of course, as unpredictable as these storms can be some of these areas may be under evacuation orders too. But they probably would be lifted fairly quickly and not be as restrictive. At any rate, make sure you check on these things before making the trip. And stay safe above all.
Jerry

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I can't speak for the gulf and east coast (as they may follow "different erosion rules"). But just generally speaking, from my experience over 30 yrs. on the central CA beaches: You have to know how to interpret tides, swells, swell directions, and wind. A swell direction that is coming perpendicular to the beach, may perform a different level or type of erosion than one that is coming at an angle. And some beaches may not face a swell at all, and be "shadowed" by ....... if you look at a map of your area, you might see that land peninsulas further away, "shadow" and protect certain bays or harbors (at least certain directions of the bay), etc... But assuming the beach you're at is in a line-of-fire of a swell, then look for high tides to coincide with the heavy surf. Contrary to popular thought, it's not the extreme astronomic low tides that are what makes for good hunting/erosion, it's the HIGH tides that allow the heavy surf/swells to climb up to higher portions of the beach, eroding normally high-dry sand.

And don't confuse "waves" with "swells". Waves can just be locally produced sloppy wind-chop, whereas "swells" are organized lines that come from far out in the ocean, spurned by storms sometimes hundreds or thousands of miles away. Local windchop (as ferroceous as it may look), is not as good at erosion as organized lines of swells.

Then there is the local wind to take into effect: It can take a swell, and take the resulting waves further up on the beach, making more erosion. But contrarily, an off-shore wind can MINIMIZE the effect of the surf, by "blowing it out" and counter-acting it to a degree.

Familiarity with each beach is the only indicator of whether sand is going out, or coming in. A severe cut or severe scallops may be easy to tell, but there is also subtle erosion, where the whole beach is "lower", leaving no perceptible reference point (unless you're looking at a mark on a pier piling or something).

A whole book could be written about how and where beaches erode, but these are just some highlights.

 

[Gerry]

Tom, there has been a book written about just what you are talking about. Read Clive's book called
"Site Reading for Gold and Silver", it really ties it all in and addresses exactly what you are talking about.
Good Hunting Gerry

 

[freightdawg747]

Best time to hit the beaches....low tide...here's a source for tide charts.

http://co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/index.shtml

 

[king-ghidorah]

I use WXTide32 for tides and such, freeware too.

http://wxtide32.com/

 

[JOHNMARKHAM]

Thanks to all for the info that's been given to me,
as I stated before I'm new about a year into this
hobby and do enjoy myself and meeting all the guys
that I've meet and girls too
I just didn't really understand with these approaching storms comming
is there really a good time to hit the beaches?
Of course at low tide and not when it's lightining out
or dangorus to my self but all that aside I guess
just go out when ever it's safe and swing !!
Again thanks for info
John

 

[JOHNMARKHAM]

Thxs to all info is helpful !!
John

 

[goldnugget]

I've found the Best Time is to be in the area and wait for the heavy rains to stop, during the lull of the Hurricane or storm. You might have a few hours to detect and then more Rain and Wind. Then its your until the sands start covering up the low spots on the next few tides. Been there and done it for 3 Days straight digging old Silver Coins-Buffalo Nickels,Wheat Cent, but not much Gold that trip. Even took snoozes next to Pier Piling's for a short nap. No Barber coins from Myrtle Beach for about 20 years.goldnugget-Charlotte,N.C.

 

[Willee - Texas]

Tom, there has been a book written about just what you are talking about. Read Clive's book called
"Site Reading for Gold and Silver", it really ties it all in and addresses exactly what you are talking about.
Good Hunting Gerry

Clive has other books on the subject of beach hunting also.
They are the best investments in beach hunting you can make.
The information in those books is worth more than the best beach detector made.

Willee