I used to use an old phone generator with solid core copper wire leads attached to a couple of welding rods (with flux removed). If the ground was not moist enough, I would carry a gallon or two of water and wet the area. Stick one lead in the ground and probe around it while cranking the generator. It always worked great for bait. If I where to make such a setup today I would rig it to have a screw gun do the rotating of the generator.
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