Are you thinking about taking your Garrett AT Pro in the river or stream?

Then save yourself some time and read what I'm about to share with you. I'm going to share with you everything I know and learned over the last couple years about taking your Garrett AT Pro into fresh water. New update to this post 9/6/15. I made a video that compliments this post. You can watch it by clicking the link https://youtu.be/Dd4bi7lWsSY or clicking the image below.

New update to this post 9/6/15. I made a video that compliments this post. You can watch it by clicking the link https://youtu.be/Dd4bi7lWsSY

Here are 17 things you need to know up front about fresh water detecting in streams and rivers.

1. Water hunting is very very very taxing on the body. 
2. Your back and feet are going to hurt. At least mine do. Maybe I'm old.
3. You are going to feel like you went 12 rounds with Rocky Balboa and lost. 
4. Expect to get wet (duh you're in the water).
5. Expect to get really wet (like over your head wet).
6. If you hear thunder, GET OUT OF THE WATER! 
7. If you think you see lightning GET OUT OF THE WATER!
8. If it starts to rain really hard and the water level starts to rise, head to higher ground. You don't want to be standing in nasty run off water. 
9. The rocks are going to be very slippery (you will fall at least once and I'll bet my last dollar on it!). 
10. Speaking of dollars, don't take your wallet. It will get wet or I'll find it floating downstream.
11. Keep your keys out of water. If you have newer keys and they get wet you won't be driving home. Trust me on that.
12. You are going to need more patients than you had detecting on land. A lot more!
13. You are going to dig a lot of junk (iron, aluminum cans, bottle caps etc).
14. You will probably get sunburned (wear waterproof sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours).
15. You are going to run into snakes and other frightening reptiles (embrace them don't kill them).
16. DO NOT TRESPASS on private property. You will get arrested or slapped with a hefty fine.
17. Respect the water and leave it cleaner than you found it (take your junk with you because we don't want to find it again).

Now as far as the AT Pro is concerned, its a beast of a machine in the water especially fresh water. Salt water messes with it a little. I have another blog entry that goes over the AT Pro in the salt water so I won't go into detail on that. Instead, I'm going to focus more on fresh water rivers and streams but let me just say that I am not a re-seller for Garrett. I have had great success with the AT Pro over the years and I've tried different products like headphones and pro pointers etc. However I keep going back to Garrett. They just make good stuff and it works and their customer service is fabulous.

My AT Pro Settings For Fresh Water:

Sensitivity: all the way up (full power)
Ground balance: (auto) I think it will end up somewhere around 80.
Iron Disc: 23-25
Mode: Pro Zero (the serious way to use the AT PRO)

All my fresh water gear

My Gear For The AT Pro in Fresh Water:  

Coil: 5x8 Coil (works better in small spaces, lighter, and moves better through the water)
Waterproof Headphones: I have the blue ones from Garrett.
Pin Pointer: I have the Garrett Pro Pointer AT (it truly is amazing and I love it)
Digging Tool: I own the Garrett Retriever II which has strong magnet that can pull up iron objects a lot easier.
Relic Bag: I used the standard bag that comes with the AT Pro.
Knee pads: Trust me you'll want them when you're in shallow water.
Goggles: Yep you'll need these too.  

My Tips For Using The AT Pro in Fresh Water

1. Attach a line or string to the AT Pro and tie to your belt or bag. If you don't it will float away!
2. Do the same for your Pro Pointer AT. It will also float away.
3. Do NOT wear your headphones while going under water. If you want your ears to fill up with water then go ahead and wear them. You'll see what I mean. 
4. Heat up a screwdriver or sharp object and place a few holes in your bag. This keeps air pockets from forming and keeps your relics from floating away. 
5. If its not illegal, wear felt bottom boots. You will thank me later!
6. If your goggles fog up, spit in them and rub it around. Trust me its gross but it works. It's your spit!

Some Tips On Where Should You Dig?

1. Sand, deep mud and gravel you should avoid. All the junk collects there and that's all you'll dig.
2. Look for bedrock. Most of the items you will find will be wedged in between the cracks covered in silt. A few waves of the hand usually reveals the object for a quick grab. 
3. Look for washed out banks and check those really well. 
4. Detect upstream if you can. Otherwise the mud you are stirring up is floating downstream and clouding up where you are headed to next. 
5. Check under tree roots. Most people don't. You should. 

Have Any Better Ideas?

Feel free to drop me a comment or email (mentalmetal314@gmail). I'm always looking for better ideas that can make my life easier.