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Hitting Beaches in DE as Hurricane Erin approaches

Sand Sifter

Active member
I was down at the beaches in DE on Sunday night & Monday. Wife and I planned this short trip before Hurricane Erin became a thing, so that I could try out “Franken DuFi”, my “new to me” Dual Field PI, which is also my first PI after swinging BBS/SMF, VLF, TR & a BFO for the last 56 years. Sunday evening, after we checked in, I hit a private beach just a block from the hotel, with the goal of finding a variety of trash targets, which I did, wanted to hear how they sounded on my DF. Monday, we hit Fenwick beach, which I’ve hit many times over 10+ years, and the wife & I got married on that beach.

But with Hurricane Erin approaching, hunting was challenging as the wind was really picking up, waves were getting bigger and coming in fast, and I only heard 1 target in the wet after searching about 2 blocks. It was apparent that the incoming surges are depositing sand, so I was out there just a bit too soon, would have preferred to be out on the beach after the Hurricane had passed.

I always seem to forget, but this time, I remembered that I have a video camera built into my cell phone, lol. So, with Erin approaching, I shot 4 short videos to give everyone an idea of what the beach looked like on Monday, also went up to the Indian River Inlet, so you can see the chaos building. I have a feeling things are gonna get much worse. So, I had these 4 videos, but how was I going to share them? I needed to upload them to a hosting platform so that I could get a link to share.

I wasn’t planning on doing this, but I went onto YouTube figuring I’d need to set up a channel. After logging into my account, I discovered that I had a channel I set up back in 2011 but never used and forgot about. So, I changed the channel name to “Digging da Beeps” to be more aligned with detecting and was able to upload the videos. And before anyone asks, NO, I’m not gonna be one of those detecting guys with a channel pushing products, doing comparison video’s or anything like that. This will just be a channel I can use if/when I have a video to upload and share, so I’m totally “small potatoes”, with no delusions of grandeur, lol. If you watch, I’d appreciate a Like, only takes 2 seconds but is always appreciated.

Mike arrives at Fenwick Island: https://youtu.be/3Z1Q-zshlzY

Fenwick Island Beach as Hurricane Erin approaches: https://youtu.be/vIWXqeEp4sw

Hurricane Erin is approaching - Indian River Inlet from inside my truck: https://youtu.be/IzyF8VF2d-g

Coin Beach & Indian River Inlet as Hurricane Erin approaches, from outside my truck: https://youtu.be/TpqKGLGStWQ

My new Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@diggingdabeeps
 
Was out for a little in North Myrtle Beach last evening. The waves were about 3 feet with nearly 8 seconds between them. That long interval between waves makes detecting nice ... just need to be facing the waves so as to bounce with them rather than taking a direct hit. I was not finding pools or solid shell base to detect in the couple blocks I hit. I'm hoping that the waves today and tomorrow clean out some sand and leave some pools with solid shell base. That is where I've found the goodies in the past. With projected wave heights of 4 to 9 feet today into tomorrow, I'm staying away from the beach until it calms down.
Good luck where you are at!
 
With projected wave heights of 4 to 9 feet today into tomorrow, I'm staying away from the beach until it calms down.
Man tvr, I'll never forget detecting on a beach years ago as a hurricane was passing by us off the coast. Had to deal with gale force winds, rivers of sand blowing, and without thinking, I wandered down to the wet and into shallow water, like I always do. But then, I happened to look up and saw the largest, tallest, most monstrous waves I've ever seen, and they were right there in front of me, not too far way. It was so surreal to see these monster waves up close, so I just stared at them in amazement. But then, a little bird told me that I could get sucked out to those monster waves by the strong current or riptide in an instant, so I regained my composure and made a beeline back to firmer footing on the dry sand, lol. Just wish I had a decent camera with me back then to take some pics, but the images of those monster waves are burned into my memory.
 
SS,
You reminded me of a very short but wild adventure.

Years ago as a lineman my garage was dispatched to Jersey for power restoration after a hurricane.
We left from Ohio before it hit.
After arriving the storm was still passing.
We went into staging mode.
Getting loaded up with poles , wire and supplies. Water and a bit of food.
Later our crews were sent to a small town on the coastal waters. Sorry can't remember the name of the town. Or of the hurricane for that matter. Definitely a tourist trap though. Years ago.
Anyway when I go out of town I always take a detector. I believe I had the AT Pro then. Finally got an evening dinner break. My partner took me down to the beach and have a look.
Man those beaches are a long walk out.
This was the tail end of the storm.
Winds still 35-45 mph. I'm guessing.
Really couldn't see much past the shore
At least the driving rain let up a bit.
Having never set foot in the ocean I just wanted get down there detecting. Bad

I got to the shoreline only to find the biggest cut I've ever seen. Had to be every bit of 10 ft down to the water.
I wanted to go down so bad.
I swear there were hundreds of coins flopping up and down the wash area on what looked like black sands.
It was starting to get dark.
Maybe just looked black.
This all happened in maybe a minute or r two.
I was getting ready to try going down when my partner and senior yelled for me to stop. I yelled back go get me some rope to get back up.
Man did he get pissed. Came over and grabbed me. Did I mention he's 6'3" and about 260lbs and a bouncer at concerts.
LoL. I lost that argument real fast.
As he pulled me back I heard a wave crashing in right where I was going to go down. At least 6-8 high. Came in and took another three four feet of that beach out almost from under me.
Purty sure there was a riptide as y'all call it there.
But the coins. There calling me ...

My partner had been to the area before.
Knew how dangerous it was.
I hadn't a clue. My first time at the oceans edge in my life. Usually I worked inland. Where the climbing work was.
After calming down and talking it over with my partner. I'm pretty sure that would have been my last day ever.
Wearing heavy FR bibs and 20 kv knee high rubber boots. I couldn't have been wearing a better anchor.

I respect you guys going out in that ocean.
I'm just not cut out for it.
Though I can always dream.
 
SS,
You reminded me of a very short but wild adventure.

Years ago as a lineman my garage was dispatched to Jersey for power restoration after a hurricane.
We left from Ohio before it hit.
After arriving the storm was still passing.
We went into staging mode.
Getting loaded up with poles , wire and supplies. Water and a bit of food.
Later our crews were sent to a small town on the coastal waters. Sorry can't remember the name of the town. Or of the hurricane for that matter. Definitely a tourist trap though. Years ago.
Anyway when I go out of town I always take a detector. I believe I had the AT Pro then. Finally got an evening dinner break. My partner took me down to the beach and have a look.
Man those beaches are a long walk out.
This was the tail end of the storm.
Winds still 35-45 mph. I'm guessing.
Really couldn't see much past the shore
At least the driving rain let up a bit.
Having never set foot in the ocean I just wanted get down there detecting. Bad

I got to the shoreline only to find the biggest cut I've ever seen. Had to be every bit of 10 ft down to the water.
I wanted to go down so bad.
I swear there were hundreds of coins flopping up and down the wash area on what looked like black sands.
It was starting to get dark.
Maybe just looked black.
This all happened in maybe a minute or r two.
I was getting ready to try going down when my partner and senior yelled for me to stop. I yelled back go get me some rope to get back up.
Man did he get pissed. Came over and grabbed me. Did I mention he's 6'3" and about 260lbs and a bouncer at concerts.
LoL. I lost that argument real fast.
As he pulled me back I heard a wave crashing in right where I was going to go down. At least 6-8 high. Came in and took another three four feet of that beach out almost from under me.
Purty sure there was a riptide as y'all call it there.
But the coins. There calling me ...

My partner had been to the area before.
Knew how dangerous it was.
I hadn't a clue. My first time at the oceans edge in my life. Usually I worked inland. Where the climbing work was.
After calming down and talking it over with my partner. I'm pretty sure that would have been my last day ever.
Wearing heavy FR bibs and 20 kv knee high rubber boots. I couldn't have been wearing a better anchor.

I respect you guys going out in that ocean.
I'm just not cut out for it.
Though I can always dream.
Great story Odan! Yeah, those cuts can be extremely dangerous if one is not paying close attention to incoming waves. There have been quite a few times that I was working a cut, and had a brief thought, what if a big wave decided to crash close by, and the surge of rushing water pinned me against the wall of sand. A lot depended on how high the cut was. If it was 3 or maybe 4 feet high, still low enough that I might be able to jump up on top, that would be good. But if the cut was 5ft, 6ft or higher, I knew I wouldn't be able to jump that high to escape a serious surge of water.

So, on a couple of occasions when I wanted to detect in front of a high wall of sand, before detecting, I'd take my scoop and start pulling down sand from the top, working my way back a bit. The goal was to cut a section of the wall of sand, leaving an angle of sand that I could scamper up in an emergency. But I didn't do that but a couple of times. Figured if the wall was that high, I shouldn't be hunting in front of it unless the tide was going out. But when the tide was coming back in, I needed to heed the words of Mr. Miyagi from Karate Kid. When asked what the best defense in Karate was, Mr. Miyagi replied "Best Defense Not Be There", lol.

As far as going out in the ocean, there are others who are far more daring than I. I have a serious allergy to swimming creatures with extremely sharp teeth, lol. And in the dark & murky ocean waters of MD & DE, those creatures could be just a few feet away and I'd never know, since I wouldn't be able to see them. So, I only go out about knee deep. But during low tide, knee deep will typically be waist/chest deep when the tide is high. So, for me, I'll only go out knee deep, preferably when tide is low, as that allows me to search deeper areas that are harder to detect when the tide is in.
 
Great story Odan! Yeah, those cuts can be extremely dangerous if one is not paying close attention to incoming waves. There have been quite a few times that I was working a cut, and had a brief thought, what if a big wave decided to crash close by, and the surge of rushing water pinned me against the wall of sand. A lot depended on how high the cut was. If it was 3 or maybe 4 feet high, still low enough that I might be able to jump up on top, that would be good. But if the cut was 5ft, 6ft or higher, I knew I wouldn't be able to jump that high to escape a serious surge of water.

So, on a couple of occasions when I wanted to detect in front of a high wall of sand, before detecting, I'd take my scoop and start pulling down sand from the top, working my way back a bit. The goal was to cut a section of the wall of sand, leaving an angle of sand that I could scamper up in an emergency. But I didn't do that but a couple of times. Figured if the wall was that high, I shouldn't be hunting in front of it unless the tide was going out. But when the tide was coming back in, I needed to heed the words of Mr. Miyagi from Karate Kid. When asked what the best defense in Karate was, Mr. Miyagi replied "Best Defense Not Be There", lol.

As far as going out in the ocean, there are others who are far more daring than I. I have a serious allergy to swimming creatures with extremely sharp teeth, lol. And in the dark & murky ocean waters of MD & DE, those creatures could be just a few feet away and I'd never know, since I wouldn't be able to see them. So, I only go out about knee deep. But during low tide, knee deep will typically be waist/chest deep when the tide is high. So, for me, I'll only go out knee deep, preferably when tide is low, as that allows me to search deeper areas that are harder to detect when the tide is in.
Yup.
I have watched Every Jaws movie when I was young. I was even afraid of lake Michigan. A rare sighting of a dying shark made it impossible for me to venture deep. LoL
Before those dang movies I loved snorkeling. Was trying to get my diving license. Though mum wouldn't sign off.


Are cuts that big common after hurricanes ?
I was dumbfounded seeing a cut that deep.
Love to work the gold coast after something like that.
Though I've read much of that is claimed up ?

If I lived near by you wouldn't catch me working a cut like that unless I had a big life vest on.
A heavy belt with lanyard attachment points.
And 3/4" rope attached to something like a car 50' from the water.
Even then I'd probably drown. LoL
 
Yup.
I have watched Every Jaws movie when I was young. I was even afraid of lake Michigan. A rare sighting of a dying shark made it impossible for me to venture deep. LoL
Before those dang movies I loved snorkeling. Was trying to get my diving license. Though mum wouldn't sign off.
Oh man, don't get me started, lol. I still suffer "PTSD" from an incident that occurred back in 1975. I was a senior in high school, so me and some buddies went down to Ocean City for senior week. The movie "JAWS" had just been released, there was a theater off the boardwalk that was showing the movie, so we all went. After the movie, we went to the end of the boardwalk and sat on a concrete wall that separated the boardwalk from the beach. We stayed up all night talking about the movie & just shooting the breeze. When the sun came up, one of the guys said "hey, let's go into the water". I looked at him like he was plum crazy and said "Dude, we just watched JAWS, I'm NOT getting into the water". We went back and forth but eventually, he talked us all into going in the water.

So, I'm out in waist/chest deep water, and all was fine. I was facing the waves; my back was facing the beach. The guy who convinced us to get into the water was a few feet to my right. I said something to him but he didn't reply, so I turned my head to look at him and he was just frozen. His face had this freaky blank stare, his eyes were wide, wasn't even blinking, it looked like he was paralyzed. So, I turned my head to look at where he was looking and that's when I saw the fin, about 50-75 feet away. I came within a nano second of having a "code brown", but a second or two later, the fin jumped out of the water, and it was a dolphin. Whew, thank you Lord.

I know the difference between a dolphin fin and a shark fin, but when you see the movie JAWS, then go into the ocean and then see a fin in the water, fairly close by, my brain must have overloaded and I just didn't have the time to try to figure out what type of fin it was. All I knew and could think of in that brief nano second of time was that I was in the water where the fin lived, the fin was fairly close by, and I needed to get out of that water ASAP. I guess maybe my brain went into some type of fight or flight mode. I wasn't going to stay there to fight, so my only option was flight.

So, I grabbed my buddy's arm, told him we were getting out of the water, and we walked backwards toward the shore so that we could keep an eye on the ocean in front of us, lol.

Are cuts that big common after hurricanes ?
I was dumbfounded seeing a cut that deep.
Yes, we frequently get cuts from hurricanes, as well as bowls and troughs that have formed due to rip currents. We also get cuts during nor' easters, which can occur more frequently in our area. These are basically intense thunderstorms with strong winds that hit the beach from a Northeasterly direction. Nor' Easter's almost always leave cuts in the sand, which is why we love em', lol.

Wanna see a huge cut? Check out this video from Gigmaster Steve. He's in VA and hunts Virginia Beach. He shot this short video of himself standing in front of a cut taller than he is back in May of this year, so not too long ago.

 
Oh man I'd of definitely had a big brown out move.
Maybe that would have been a good repellant after eating at Taco Hell. 😄

Cool video.
Up here on lake Erie.
Noreaster is a big Go.
One year many years ago.
On a beach so picked clean your lucky to find a pull tab.
Some other Older coot hits the beach at sunrise and digs Everything.
I just don't get up that early anymore.
Anyway.
Had about a three ft cut.
Deep one for that sheltered beach.
People were walking the beach line picking up nice trinkets.
I've rarely found silver.
I dug 24 silvers from the 1950's in just a little over an hour.
Best silver day of my life on that beach.
Like someone had tossed rolls of quarters in the past.

Loving your stories.
 
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