Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.
The higher surf didn't help conditions any. It was hitting the beach straight on instead of at an angle, which resulted in more filling. It wasn't that much higher anyway.
 |
| One Treasure Coast Beach Just After High Tide Monday Afternoon. |
 |
| Another Similar Treasure Coast Beach Monday Afternoon. |
It just goes to show once again that the direction of the surf is as important as the size of the surf.
I've often said how good it is to try different types of detecting. Most people who read this blog detect beaches or shallow ocean waters a lot. Although I know there are some, most of this blog's readers do not hunt gold in streams, however, if you ever get the chance or opportunity, try it out, because you'll have some fun, might find something, and perhaps most importantly, will learn something that will open your eyes to new opportunities and supply you with new useful skills.
There are many web sites dealing with hunting gold in or around a river or creek. Here is a little one that in a few short paragraphs provides some helpful tips.
http://voices.yahoo.com/where-look-gold-streams-5724340.html?cat=11
I'll summarize a few of the key points from this article that apply to beach or shallow water ocean detecting.
1. Look around bends in the stream. Why? Because the water slows and gold will settle and collect there.
Notice any familiar principles? Yes, the same thing happens on a beach. Where the water slows, gold and other heavy items will settle.
Understanding the movement of water and where things will collect will help you on a beach too.
2. Work the banks, not just the water. Why? The stream bed and water level will change over time and flood waters can drop gold on the banks.
That happens on a beach too. The same basic forces are at work, the force of moving water, changing water levels, and don't forget gravity.
3. Hunt around obstructions, such as boulders or cracks in the bedrock where gold will accumulate.
Do the same in the shallow water or on the beach, especially in the wet sand or where the water has once been.
In the water or on a beach, rocks or other obstructions such as jetties or sea groins will also collect targets.
4. The article also says, The most important step in panning a stream for gold is to develop a plan. Looking for gold in random place after random place can be frustrating and is an inefficient use of your time.
That is something I always teach here. Randomly hunting is what many beginners do, but if you are going to become more effective, you'll develop a plan that guides your hunting. As you hunt more, your plan should become more detailed and systematic.
I know the above web site is not the best site in the world for giving the details on how to find gold in a stream, but it quickly shows how one type of hunting can help you better understand forces and develop techniques that will help you become more productive no matter where you detect.
Here is a video of diver who encountered a Great White Shark off of Vero.
http://xfinity.comcast.net/video/Scuba-diver-takes-on-great-white-shark-in-Florida/260293699851/Comcast/TopVideos/?cid=sf_vidtray
Here is a web site showing the excavation of a 1700s pirate hangout up the Belize river called the Barcadares. This is a new piece in LiveScience but is actually a rehash of previously published material. Nonetheless, you might want to take a look.
http://www.livescience.com/15865-photos-pirates-caribbean.html
Magic grapeshot? Archaeologists imagine that 18th century grape shot found buried in post holes under a foundation of a Caribbean plantation were magical in nature. That seems unlikely to me. What do you think?
Get the details here.
http://www.livescience.com/45696-artifacts-unearthed-in-caribbean.html
Happy hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net
