Collection Bucket..

A

Ashlar

Something I've been thinking about for a while since we started talking about taking a trip to Galveston. I used to see shell collectors on Tampa beaches using these..

I think I'm going to take a 5g bucket (I wish I had one of those tall Kent buckets), cut almost all the bottom out, leaving a small rim around the edge, and replace it with a sheet of acrylic.

Kind of a BIG photo box. Something to be able to see what's on the bottom as you walk around.
 
Interesting idea... I'd make sure I definitely tested it out in a pool or something first, hate to get down there and find out it doesn't work (I.E. Seams fail) after making the trip...

I've got a/some tall Kent buckets I'll happily trade ya' for a standard sized 5 gallon bucket...

(Especially if that helps get me on the list of "Cool people you'll give extra goodies you bring back from your gathering trip"... :wink: )

I'll be down in Galveston the weekend of April 1st, but alas, this is a motorcycle gathering, and I won't be coming straight home, so no gathering for me on this trip...
 
That's a great idea! But I see a few things - you would have to use a separate container to put things in, therefore carrying two buckets. When walking, sand tends to get kicked around, and the water is cloudy, so you have to wait for it settle to see anything. (Probably have to do that anyway.) If you put what you collected into the bucket, you would also need water, making the bucket rather heavy.

I think a smaller bucket would work better, and take the salt buckets to put things in, on the shore. (Or do they put them in the water to stay even temperature?)
 
@Serk wrote:
Interesting idea... I'd make sure I definitely tested it out in a pool or something first said:
Cool, thanks. If we get anything interesting, you're welcome to cherry pick.

@kitty32 wrote:
That's a great idea! But I see a few things - you would have to use a separate container to put things in said:
Yup, one bucket to hold things, and one to look with. What I'm thinking is take one bucket, perforate it about 1/2 way up the side to the top, then scoop some sand to fill the bottom. That way it would float, but not tip over, and have fresh water circulating. When you got near shore, just drop the perforated bucket inside the 'photo bucket' to keep the water from running out.
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@Ashlar wrote:
I think a smaller bucket would work better said:
Yup, one bucket to hold things, and one to look with. What I'm thinking is take one bucket, perforate it about 1/2 way up the side to the top, then scoop some sand to fill the bottom. That way it would float, but not tip over, and have fresh water circulating. When you got near shore, just drop the perforated bucket inside the 'photo bucket' to keep the water from running out.
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That would be a great idea! I've seen something like that for clam diggers. And folks who use a smaller version to "pan" for things in the breakers. (Especially when sand dollars could still be found in Newport Beach, Calif.)
 
Just curious have you talked to someone on the Houston site to see what they say? The visibility was supper low, like almost zero.

Not trying to be negative just don't want you to drive all the way and be disappointed.
 
@ss95003 wrote:
Just curious have you talked to someone on the Houston site to see what they say? The visibility was supper low said:
Ehn, it'll be a while before I go.. Water's gotta be a bit warmer for me. I have a buddy in Houston who will keep me apprised.
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In Mobile we used small (read cheap) inflatable boats for this kind of thing (although the point there is dinner - flounder, crabs, scallops from the bay).

If you get one with a clear vinyl bottom you might be able to lie down in/on it and drift search.

A 2nd with a bit of water in the bottom and a shade screen (depending on sun condition the water can get very hot) is used to hold treasures.
 
I've had success befor using a fine mesh dip net. go out into the surf to a little below chest high and scoop up the sargassum weed that is always floating into the shore. pick up the weeds and shake it over the net. You will undoubtedly catch small sargent majors and other small fish, small shrimp and crabs an occasional pipe fish. I once caught a 3" (yello and brown) sargassum fish but I had a bucket problem and it got away before I got back to shore.

I really think your "photo" bucket will be useless in the surf area. There is so much sand stirred up in the water you won't be able to see 2". It might help if you used it in some of the marshy areas on the Bay side. I've never really tried the bayside. I always caught more than I could carry home using the above method.
 
@terry wrote:
I've had success befor using a fine mesh dip net. go out into the surf to a little below chest high and scoop up the sargassum weed that is always floating into the shore. pick up the weeds and shake it over the net. You will undoubtedly catch small sargent majors and other small fish said:
Terry, I got the impression that the sargassum doesn't roll in until a certain time of the year. Seems like there are a couple of areas that people hit.. flats bayside for clams and macroalgae like eel grass, surf w/ sargassum for really cool stuff like you mentioned, and the jetties for things like peppermint shrimp, snails, crabs, etc.

Does this jive with your experience?
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You may be right I've always gone during the summer, but it has always been coming in when I was there. I know that the best time is a few days after a hurricane goes through the Carribean> Things are hiding and a lot gets knocked loose. That was the case the time I caught the Sargassum fish. The only hermits I've seen is the brown and white stiped ones. There were lots of them in the rocks at Sea Wolf Park. The best way to find things on the jetties is to go at night at the lowest tide and use a flashlight down in the crevices. Like I said I haven't been in about 4 years but I would assume it hasn't changed much.
 
I know that Marsh has a few collection trips during the year. We've been to one down in Galveston last year. they recommend that you bring bucketS, nets, swimwear, towels and flashlights. The headband style seems to work really well. You can get all sorts of critters off the jetties
We were able to get several pipefish, about a dozen small Sargassum and peppermint shrimp and all sorts of hermits. If you join up with Marsh on their message boards, you can contact people down there and get the heads up as to when and where they recommend going.
 
April 29, 9a-5p is Marshreef's Annual Crawfish Boil and Texas City Collection trip.

Their board has some more information (not much, though.) I'm contacting the organizer to get more details.
 
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