Metal Detecting In Florida

MJPHELAN

Hi All,

I am visiting the in-laws in the Tampa area and plan to spend some time at the beach metal detecting (as much time as possible). Does one need permission to detect at the state parks in Florida? I understand you can only detect on the beach. Are there any beaches you cannot detect on?

Thanks in advance,

Mark

PS: Has anyone had trouble flying with their detector? I plan to check it. Should I try to carry it on?

leoprdfrog

I go to school in Tampa now and grew up in Clearwater, don't metal detect here but I've seen a lot of people on the beaches early when I'm out fishing. I know Clearwater sifts there beaches every day with this big machine that kinda smoothes it all out. That could be a concern for you since not sure if it picks up goodies left by people. My advice no matter what is if you hit clearwater beach get there early if only for the parking reasons since spring break is approaching. Also I wouldn't detect at any of the crappy little pay beaches on the courtney campbell causeway, that funny smell when you drive by is a sewage treatment plant that overflows into the bay during heavy rain like we've been having. You'd hate to be detecting and run into a tampa bay brown trout. Beyond that be careful at some of the parks since many are historical sites or indian related. The ones that aren't got built like 10 years ago.

Phew that was a mouthful hope some of it was helpful.

Kyle

lordmarcovan

State parks you might need to check on. It may vary from park to park. From what I've seen, some are fine, and others (particularly the ones with historical and archaeological resources) are forbidden.

MOST beaches are public and legal in the intertidal zone (between high water mark and the surf, in other words). There might be a few exceptions in protected wildlife or dune conservation areas, etc.

Here in SE coastal GA, this is the case, but our local Jekyll Island (a state park) has a detector ban, which I believe also includes the beaches.

I do not know about the Tampa area specifically, though I did some very brief sidewalk strip detecting in one of the older St. Petersburg neighborhoods, once. Never tried the beaches there.

I've never flown with a detector. The last time I flew anywhere was on Piedmont Airlines, so that should tell you how long it's been. (1990).

mrguby

here,s a tip, try the local vollyball courts!! or hard rock lot of coins there.

DUBBA

sorry i'm not familar with the tampa area ? hope you have a great trip and find lots o goodies...hh

ricko

Good luck on the beaches.... there was a thread somewhere on flying with a detector. Most said to break it down and carry on.... no problem through security. Cheers, RickO

MJPHELAN

Thanks for the input. I'll let you know how it goes.

Mark

DUBBA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYMVZKbGm_c

check out these guys...i know they are in the tampa st. pete lakeland area...godd luck

MJPHELAN

Just got back from Florida. I spent two days on the beach and one day in a park. I found a single nickel! It was relaxing though.

I did check the detector and had no problems on the flight (it was one inch too big to carry on the plane).

Mark