I need your help with a scoop...:shrug:

[thinkin2]

I just received a new scoop and didn't realize until yesterday when I first used it that it was so small. I won't say where I got it but it is totally inadequate for use in the ocean and very wet sand with a PI. I know there have been some great posts about home made scoops, really wish I could do that but don't have the equipment or the skills. Those of you hunting in the ocean, which manufactured scoop/size, etc., are you using and what do you think is good or bad about it? I really need your help with this as I'm new to hunting in the water and already know that it will be hopeless without the right equipment. Also, any input with your technique would be appreciated as well. Thanks a million for any help.

Jerry

 

[GraveDiggerMax-VaBch-Va]

are u hunting in the water deep? say waist deep or so

are there waves ?.................are there big waves ?

do u want light alum scoop
do u want heavier stainless steel scoop?

u said P I....................my thought since u use a PI...............big scoop..........min. of 6"dia or 7"dia.

what is the bottom like...............all sand.......................small rocks...........any rocks..................

bill babb and reily's make great scoops....................most any size and material u want. - great scoops for sand enviroment - not great if u have larger rocks.

chuck and steve in michigan make really good s/s wide wooden handle scoops - great scoops for almost all conditions - nice hole patterns - heavy - great in rocks...........6.5 inch and 8in.

kellyco makes a nice big "beach brute"...........alum............big - pretty nice

here are a few pics..................babb and reily's have web pages

 

[Cupajo]

It would help to know where you are hunting and what kind of bottom you will be digging in.

CJ

 

[GraveDiggerMax-VaBch-Va]

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BEACH BRUTE AGAIN
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NOW reily's makes new model s/s scoops..............7" and 8" - big..............heavy

f y i only

 

[Wet and Dry]

I have use and broken a lot of scoops. I have two that I use now. One for sand from Jimmy Sierra and one for in the water from the boys in Michigan. You said PI machine so the advice I'm going to give you is this. I really like a wooden handles for a couple of reasons. They are warmer, meaning if you hunt in cooler climate a metal handle draws heat from your hand quicker. If you get knocked down by a wave, the handle floats and it is easier to relocate your scoop. The wooden handle keeps the metal away from your detector and you get less interference when detecting. And last its cheaper to replace a wooden handle then a whole scoop. Now you can decide on the ergonomics. Some like the scoop at an angle that you get with an all metal scoop. I like that style for dry sand. I like the other style for the water. Read all the posts because we are all different and we all like different things in our hobby. You can always sale your scoop and buy a different design if you are not happy.

 

[thinkin2]

Thanks for all the replies everybody. I'm hunting in the ocean surf around Charleston, SC. I have to get out around waist to chest deep to try and get past the breakers on a normal day. Of course, low tide isn't too bad but either side of it and the wave frequency is pretty close and can range anywhere from 1 to 3 feet unless there are storms and then higher but don't think I want to fight that. The bottom is sand with some areas of crushed shell but that doesn't pose any problems. I do know that it will take some time to get proficient in recovery but the 5" wide scoop that I ordered isn't going to help. I'm thinking that the more scoops I have to dig the harder the chance of recovery? Anyway, thanks for the replies and thanks a ton for the photos, GraveDiggerMax. Those look more like it, makes mine look like a VW beetle next to a Greyhound bus. And, Wet and Dry, I like the idea you suggested about the handle. Seems like it would also be a lot easier to grip than the narrow stainless handle I bought. The little rubber grip on the end of it doesn't want to stay in place either. Yesterday was a learning experience. Thanks again to all of you.

Jerry

 

[Philc40]

[attachment 140841 wap_403.jpg]

Here is a Wilcox from Kellyco, $89.00 includes shipping

 

[GraveDiggerMax-VaBch-Va]

if u are good at pinpointing and use a smaller coil....................5" scoop is nice, might have to dig little extra at times. - damp sand and shallows.

larger coils for many they are harder to pinpoint with and they go deeper by ..................like the S12 and Wot..............and the newer SEF buterfly coils.

but u said water..............the bigger the better for many. - S.C..............foley's island and alike have tight packed sand - i have broken two s/s scoops there - did not own a wooden handle scoop then..................that is some hard sand down that way - good luck

2008 i sold all my 6" & 7" scoops - i downsized to all 5" scoops except the bigger wooden handled water scoop, and i find myself using this scoop 90% of the time, u just never know when u might end up in the surf waves or deeper.

when i go to the dry sand which is mostly in the winter, i usually carry a med. scoop by ..........another maker....light and has wire sifter.

 

[GraveDiggerMax-VaBch-Va]

the beach brute from kellyco is a really good all around water scoop....................kinda light.............alum...............but big and sturdy

wide mouth and high in clearacne and has like a 54" long handle................maybe like 1-1/4" dia................good for gripping and has semi bend, makes for easier digging

disadvantage.......................maybe could be it size when working in the bigger waves and trying to get it on a target, but once there u would be fine.

this is a nice all around scoop.

 

[thinkin2]

The add on Kellyco says that the Beach Brute has a two part handle. Does the handle come apart or are just talking about the bend in the handle? Thanks.

Jerry

 

[Number9]

Looking forward to testing two scoops starting the 13th of October!

Hey Max... You must rest one day a week with "only" six scoops!?

 

[woodwizard]

Nuttall is ss , got a fiberglass handle I use it in rocky,sand and clay bottoms-plus made in USA-Fl-its also damn near indestructable and has diamond head shape makes digging easier than round shape scoops

 

[thinkin2]

Thanks woodwizard. That's one I'm looking really hard at. I also like the fact that they say the handle is filled with air to make it float upright. How do they do that anyway? Thanks for your help.

Jerry