Need Info on Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota, Florida

[DaveStar]

Has anyone hunted Siesta Key Beach #1 in Sarasota, Florida. I will have a chance to hunt there in the near future. First of all, is metal detecting even permitted there? I heard it is a very shallow beach where you can wade out fairly far and only be in knee to waist deep water. I was also told there is very little wave action at this location compared to north east beaches such as Va. Beach and Ocean City, Md.

Any info on this area would be greatly appreciated.

Dave

 

[Finderskeeper]

I spend winters in Sarasota and Siesta Beach has not been a very good producer for me. It is one of the more heavily hunted beaches in Florida. There are sometimes fresh drops but if you are not there early, there are others that will get them first. Parking is always an issue as the parking lot gets filled quickly. If you are not there before 10 am, you will be doing the siesta key cruise which is driving around looking for a spot to park. You will probably see several folks with detectors hunting on any given day. I hear they are going to be doing some construction on the beach area so there will probably be less available parking for a while.

The water is fairly even with a smooth gradual drop. The waves depend on the wind and so if the wind is right, you will get some fairly large waves but they are nothing compared to the waves on the East coast of Florida like Daytona. The waves there can get pretty big and hit you like a ton of bricks.

The beach is fairly busy on most days and so detecting can be tough with all those people around. I found getting there early, like and hour before the low tide is the best for hunting the wet sand. The white sand at night is amazing as it reflects any light and makes walking on the beach at night easy. I hunted the beach mostly at night and then the water during the day. I've only found a few rings there in the last couple of years. It is a fairly large beach so there is a lot of areas that are not used as heavily as the area in front of the beach house by the main parking lot.

The volleyball courts are hit very hard by detectorists just about every day. Anything dropped is usually found within hours there. Best to hit the towel line just before sunset and the low tide wet sand when that happens which is usually twice a day. Check the tide tables and plan accordingly.

 

[arclyt]

i will be there Oct 11th for 9 days. I stay to the north of the main beach, just about to the point where there is a house on it. I agree with finderskeeper, it is hunted heavily and i have seen them out at night. I move fast when hunting down there, start early and hunt the water during the crowded hours. Eat at Capt Kurts--they have the best clam chower i have ever tasted. If you will be down at the same time as i am there let me know.