Whats the longest youve driven to detect a decent beach?

[time4me]

What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

I drove an hour and 20 minutes this morning to try a new beach, which is on a river northwest of me. Turned out to be somewhat of a bust, as the beach was gravel rather than sand - even the vollyball court, and even the river bottom waist deep was mostly small stones. Really bummed me out, and I left after about 2 hours.

So I'm wondering how far the rest of you will drive to spend a good 3 to 5 hours hunting a nice sandy beach that sees a ton of beachgoers all summer long? I've got some nice beaches about 1 hour and 45 minutes drive from my house, and I'm tempted to just get up real early some morning next week and get to the beach around 6:30am or 7am and hunt until about 11:00am and then head home.

Anyways, here's all I got for my 2 hours this morning... (I will add that it was quite scenic where I was, and I'd never been to this town before, but when I'm detecting in the water, I really don't notice much of my surroundings to really enjoy the scenery)...

 

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[Narthoniel]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

The thing to bear in mind is that you cant always predict where a gold ring will be. The difference between a bad day and a great day is only a few grams in size. We cannot force rings in our path, only hope to be lucky enough to be the first person to stumble onto the right spot.

I had a rotten hunt the other day, then right at the end, as I was about to leave, I pulled out a small 14k diamond ring. And it was amazing how fast the smile appeared, how long it lasted, and how big it was. Where just moments before, I was grumbling, "Great, another bloody nickle that will wash away in a wave, and will not make it in my scoop. Maybe I should just leave it and go home."

While we all wish to find dozens of gold rings a trip, it simply is not to be. Like all things in life, you gotta take the good with the bad. I hope this helps you keep your chin up, and to remember, a good day will come, and when it does, this day will be the farthest thought in your mind.

Happy hunting.

Anthony

 

[mumszie]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

I drive an hour and 15 minutes to get to Clearwater beach. Although there are some other smaller beaches a little nearer this is the best large beach and ....... there are many MD'ers that hunt it too! Heh heh

I have driven over 4 hours to get to the other side of the state but usually I have a reason to go over there to begin with and take the opportunity to hunt while I'm there.

 

[DaChief]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

I have some closer but less productive beaches near me within about 1 hour and 20 minutes but I tend to make the drive to the Tampa area which is 2 hours and 35 minutes at best. I can usually be certain of a good find there if the surf is calm enough to get into. It usually is but lately it hasn't been due to the bad weather patterns we have been having here in Florida.

I had rather drive an extra hour to get to a place I feel confident in than drive the lesser distance and not feel good about my prospects.

I usually make a day of it though when I go. I rise about 4 a.m.. leave my house at about 5 and I am usually in the water by 8. I then hunt till noon, take a break and do the afternoon till near dark. I then go catch supper somewhere and come back and fire up the Sovereign for a night beach hunt which ends when my arm just won't go anymore. About a 20 hour day when it is all said and done counting drive time.

I only do this about once per month. I guess you can tell why. It has been fun this year and I have enjoyed every trip.

DaChief!

 

[finderzzs]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

My drive is 2 hours each way to the "Good" beach. You wouldn't think you could drive that long on an island but that's why it's called the Big Island. Hawaii

 

[GuerillaBill]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

Last March, while it was the dead of winter up north, I jumped in my motorhome and drove to Sebastian inlet Florida (1,400 miles one way), to do 3 days of detecting.

Then drove across the state (another 200 miles) to detect around Sarasota.

It was a long drive, but well worth it. And certainly nice to be on the beach in March, with a detector, and finding interesting things.

Next week, myself and a fellow detecting buddy are driving 710 miles (one way) to another Florida beach for 5 days of detecting.

Of course, staying several days does make the drive worth while. Especially if you find things.

And our little diesel powered motorhome gets about 19mpg, so the fuel costs are not near as bad as they could be.

Bill

 

[stormfighter]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

I drive 1 1/2 to 2 hours one way to spend quality time with fellow T-netters and a sandy beach.Somtimes it is great,other times it is Awsome.Beach,Friends,Metal detecting!!!! Does it get any Better??
Happy Hunting to All !!!! DAN

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

2 hours

 

[FLauthor]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

I've driven two and half hours to the 1715 beaches and the Colored Beach and not even find a zinc penny. It pays to live over there on the coast if you can afford to. The last time, I hunted the Colored Beach was after Hurricane Jeanne 4 years ago after a buddy of mine dug a 8 Escudo the day before and got 45 minuters into the hunt when the police came up and closed the beach to everybody and it didn't reopen for 6 months. I wonder if history will repeat itself. Anyway I have places to TH that NOBODY hunts and me and my TH'ing buddy will be hitting them this fall when the weather cools. Good hunting!

 

[Top]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

WOW! You guys are making me feel very spoiled.

I only have to travel 40 minutes to Copacabana and Ipanema via public transport at a cost of about $3.00US

I haven't hunted nearly as much as I could though I enjoy each time out there. I guess I need to step up my dedication and I'll find a lot more good stuff. :-)

 

[Dirt Fishin Dale]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

I drive 15 minutes to Cocoa Beach. But you asked for a decent beach. Well its ok, but not like it was about 5 years ago.

 

[davest]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

I drive about 7 miles one way and then turn left or right, I'm spoiled and want it to stay that way. If I was to detect on the bay side, I'd have to drive 5 miles and turn left . Either way, I'm there after all that crazy driving.

 

[Dirt Fishin Dale]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

You got it rough Dave.

 

[Narthoniel]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

I feel ashamed to mention this, but, it is a 5 miniute walk for me to get to the beach. I have a sweetheart deal on an apartment in the resort area here. It definatly allows me to hunt a lot more than if i lived inland.

 

[Skipper]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

40 minutes or less. So far anyway..

 

[cntrydncr1]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

My closest beach is about an hour and 15 minutes. But normally I plan to spend a couple of hours detecting and a couple of hours just enjoying the scenery and ambiance before I make the trek home again. I don't mind the drive at all...after all..I'm on vacation all summer!

 

[Jason in TN]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

6Hrs one way about 5 times a year for me. Usually stay for at least 3 days when I go.

 

[wreckdiver1715]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

3 minute drive to my favorite beach just down the road from the house, and another 10 minutes to walk to my sweet spot. or... 2 hours by boat, since I have to enter the open ocean via Port Canaveral.
15 minute drive to Cocoa Beach.
45 minute drive to Cape Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center beach's. Unfortunately no metal detectors are allowed.
30 - 60 minute drive to the 1715 beaches.

 

[lowtones]

Re: What's the longest you've driven to detect a decent beach?

2 hours is the longest. I do travel 40 min everytime i go detecting
LT