Sand Scoop Help

[Silver Fox]

Thinking about getting a scoop to do some water hunting. Will be hunting in fresh water lakes and rivers. I know I need a long handled scoop, but was wondering if an aluminum scoop would hold up to the task or would I need to get a stainless steel scoop. Most of the lakes will have mud and the rivers will have gravel. A few of the lakes I will go to will have a sand beach area. Will be using my AT PRO. I Have never water hunted before. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[John-Edmonton]

I would suggest you get a nice stainless steel water scoop, with lots of holes to get the stones and sand out quickly. Attach a magnet inside the scoop to help get the iron finds. Order the scoop separately, then you can buy a wooden handle at home and save $$$ by not paying for shipping. Below is a pic of my monster scoop.

 

[togamac]

Ditto to John. My aluminum scoops did not last because of rocky lake bottoms. I finally bit the bullet and bought a used one on ebay that takes a post hole digger handle. Looks exactly like yours John. It's a little hefty but is bomb proof and built to last.
HH, Mac

 

[BigCatDaddy]

Forget aluminum, go stainless steel. Personally, I like a smaller scoop. Those biggun's will wear you out after toting them around for just a little bit. I prefer a totally steel one over the wood handled ones as the handle comes off the scoop at an angle rather than straight up, makes for easier digging, in my opinion, for whatever that's worth. Look at the RTG ones, they makes some nice'uns!!

 

[davkeene]

RTG ? Where can I get one BCD?

 

[John-Edmonton]

I went from a medium to a large basket, because I was using the Infinium, and getting finds at real scary depths. If you use good body mechanics, the large stainless steel isn't too bad. Of course with a lot of use you start to look like HULK, very attractive to the opposite sex.

 

[BigCatDaddy]

Do a search for rtgstore.

 

[BigCatDaddy]

I could use that scoop from now till doomsday and I'm prettty sure I would not be any more attactive to the oppssite sex. You know what they say....Beauty is only skin deep...but ugly goes all the way to the bone!! I had a larger scoop for awhile but the danged thing weighed a ton and once you got a load of gravel and mug, it was almost impossible to lift out of the water with one hand...unloaded it pronto!!

 

[Silver Fox]

Thanks everybody for you answers. I'm going to go with the stainless steel. Now one more question. Should I get one with 1/2" or 5/8" holes.

 

[John-Edmonton]

5/8" holes will save those small pieces of jewelry better. Try find a scoop with a variation for holes, where the tiniest holes are at the bottom of the scoop. Here you can save the tiny targets by holding the scoop in an upright position. You can also add 1/4" wire mesh on the bottom of the scoop to to catch tinier targets.

Another option is to build a floating sifter. Here are my instructions to build one like mine.

Get a plastic Garrett classifying pan for gold panning

Get some sheets, cut square.

Measure and cut a hole big enough so that the bottom of the plastic pan sits in the water below the Styrofoam.

I covered the floating sifter with porous fabric, attached a rope, contained it with duck tape and tethered it to my belt when water hunting. You just dump the sand scoop sand in the sifter, and it sifts the sand automatically while you just keep on searching for gold!

 

[Silver Fox]

That floating sifter is a great ideal. Thanks John for the info.

 

[Johnho]

Just curious, I posted a suggestion for another scoop and it was deleted. Any reason why?

 

[BigCatDaddy]

Yes, I weat a PFD when I water hunt!! Danged near drowned summer before last when I got on a gravely steep slope and all my gear just pulled me under and I could get back up. My scoop saved me as I was able to dip in up-slope and pull myself to shallower water. Been wearing one ever since, even in shallow water. Anyway, you can see the sifter I made from wood dowels, 1/2" hardware cloth, a noodle and a few pull ties.

[attachment 220805 0atpgear.jpg]

 

[John-Edmonton]

n/t

 

[Timothy]

Last month I went to see Verklin Baab's shop and bough a heavy duty sand scoop. I tested it on the beaches. I love it. Check out at proscoops.com .

 

[NJgeoman]

Google: Diamond Head sand scoop and check out the 48" extended handle.