Metal Detecting in Florida

Preparations

We know you’re excited to get on the sand and start searching for some treasure, but before we get to that part, we need to do some preparations first.

1. Get the Equipment

The first thing you will need for metal detecting in and around Florida is, of course, a metal detector.

If you’re already a metal detecting enthusiast, you probably have a whole kit for the job.

However, if you are doing it for the first time, it can be a bit tricky to get all the right equipment.

There are different kinds of metal detectors out there.

For beginners, we’d recommend going for something simple that you can handle easily.

Then, over time, as you get used to it, you can move on to better models, as well.

Moreover, since you are going to the beach, you have to make sure your metal detector is good enough for it.

There are different metal detectors for freshwater and saltwater, and if you plan to actually search underwater, you’ll require a separate waterproof metal detector.

Other than that, you can also get various accessories to make the job easier. For instance, you can get these things:

• Headphones to connect to your metal detector
• Knee pads
• A knife or digging tool to get to your treasure
• A sand filter

2. Read Up on the Regulations

Reading up and learning about the rules and regulations regarding metal detecting is also a crucial part of your preparations.

Every state and place has its own set of laws, so you need to be aware of them.

Otherwise, you might unknowingly break a rule and end up facing the consequences.

In Florida, most places do allow metal detecting without any permits.

However, if you have some specific places in mind, you should confirm with the authorities regarding the requirements.

Whenever you find something, usually, it’s finders keepers. However, some places require you to report whatever you find in case it is someone’s lost property.

Additionally, anything you find that is over 50 years old is legally a state property. So, again, you have to report it to the relevant authorities right away.

Whichever beach you decide to visit, make sure to read up on its metal detecting rules and guidelines.

Metal Detecting in Florida

Now that you’re all prepared, it’s time to get down to business.

You can’t just grab your metal detector, march on to the beach, and start looking for gold.

Well, technically, you can, but if you want more success in your findings, you need to carefully pick when, where, and how to detect metal.

When?

Firstly, you have to start metal detecting before everybody else.

Don’t wait until mid-afternoon when the whole beach gets crowded and other metal detecting enthusiasts have already dug up half the place.

Try to go as early as possible when there aren’t a lot of people on the beach yet.

After that, you should try your luck at finding treasure when there’s a high tide.

High tide usually shifts the sand around and often leaves items on the shore to be found.

However, these tides can be pretty intense as they go back, so you have to practice the utmost care.

Moreover, another excellent time to go metal detecting is right after a storm.

Similar to the high tide, a storm also displaces a lot of sand and deposits different items on the beach.

Where?

For beginners, a beach might look all the same, so any place is good to start.

However, for the experienced eye, different areas within a beach offer higher chances of success.

For instance, places where there are a lot of shells means the water has been coming there regularly.

So, along with the water and shells, there are chances of finding other things, as well—perhaps a gold coin or two?

Similarly, try going over the places where there’s usually a line of towels spread.

You never know; someone might have dropped their sunglasses or a ring while enjoying their day at the beach.

Other than that, you can also check out different troughs in the sand near the water.

How?

In your excitement, you might want to start swinging your metal detector as soon as you step on to the beach.

However, if you start doing so randomly without a proper technique, you’re bound to miss spots and, instead, repeat the places you’ve already scanned.

Therefore, to be more effective, try dividing the beach into smaller zones or grids in your head.

Then, start at one point and methodically cover each zone or grid area.

Another way to do this to start scanning in a straight line, parallel to the water, and keep going a step or two closer to the water or farther.

This way, you can reduce your chances of missing any area.

Conclusion

Spending time in Florida does not have to be so uneventful anymore.

With our guide on metal detecting in Florida and its beaches, you’re all set for your metal detecting adventures.

If you are in Florida temporarily and don’t want to buy all the equipment needed for metal detecting, you can try renting the stuff, too.

As a final reminder, if you are metal detecting on the beach, it is very important that you do so in a responsible manner.

Don’t litter or damage any beach property, and leave the beach as it was when you arrived.