We are going to explore the basics of Magnet Fishing, the equipment you need to start Fishing with Magnets and the best Magnets to use.

In this article:

What’s the right Magnet for Magnet Fishing?

The best choice is a strong Neodymium Magnet with a sturdy support to fasten your rope to, better if Nickel coated. This Magnet should have a wide flat face in order to stick to objects with ease.

Things to consider when buying a Magnet for Magnet fishing are:

The Strength of the Magnet

The heavier the object you want to retrieve, the stronger the magnet should be. Stronger magnets are usually bigger and more expensive.

You will find the attraction force in each product’s page. This value refers to the force a magnet develops when used under ideal conditions, i.e. when it fully adheres to a flat metal surface. Objects with an irregular shape, or with their metal parts covered by other materials, may require a much stronger magnet in order to be effectively retrieved.

Pay attention while using an extremely powerful magnet (100+ kg of attration force): should it stick to a very heavy object, you may find yourself unable to detatch it by simply pulling it towards you. You will find some useful tips on this matter below.

The Coating

A quality Nickel coating greatly improves the magnet’s protection from rust and corrosion, but it does not make it waterproof.

For this reason, we highly recommend to meticulously dry the magnet as soon as you have finished using it in the water, to avoid the build-up of humidity and the formation and/or proliferation of rust and corrosion, which will negatively affect the magnet’s performance.

The Eyebolt / Eyelet / Ring

Fishing Magnets should have a built-in support where to fasten your rope. You can tie the rope directly to the magnet or use a snap-hook. The best models have a threaded hole and a screw-in eyebolt. This feature opens many possibilities for an easy and versatile use of the magnet.

In our shop you will find some models that have two threaded holes, one at the top and one on the side. You can fix the threaded rod with the eyebolt on either side. This will allow you to use your magnet vertically or horizontally to scan the riverbed.

What tools do I need for Magnet Fishing?

You need a strong neodymium magnet with a proper support where to fix a rope. These are the basics. To improve your experience, we also recommend to bring with you a pair of gloves, rubber boots and a cloth to dry your magnet after each use.

How to Magnet Fishing?

To start, you just have to fasten a heavy-duty rope to your magnet. Then, just throw the magnet into the water to scan the bottom. Any metallic object that you come across will stick to the magnet. Now, if the strength of the magnet is enough relatively to the weight of the object, you will be able to start pulling and retrieve it to the surface.

Please note:

Is Magnet Fishing Legal?

In many European countries it is still not very clear if magnet fishing is permitted. It mainly depends on the place you are doing it. Be careful to not trespass on private properties and ask local competent authorities for advice.

What can you find with Magnet Fishing?

Magnets can attract any ferromagnetic material like Cobalt, Iron, Nickel and alloys containig them (like steel, for example). Some of the Iron or Steel objects you may find in rivers and lakes are: bycicles, tools, knives, guns, swords, bullets, archeological artifacts… Unfortunately gold, silver and the majority of valuable coins are not ferromagnetic, but if they happen to be stored inside a safe, maybe you can hit a jackpot!

Please note that, during the First and Second World Wars, many weapons, bombs, mines and ammunition were scattered or lost in lakes and rivers. They could still be dangerous!

Can you keep the stuff you retrieve with Magnet Fishing?

Yes, in general, but if you happen to find a weapon (knife, gun, etc…) you should hand it over and report it to the local authorities.

Mind that archeological findings and valuable items should be reported as well.

Never throw the objects you retrieve back into the water. It is considered a crime and you are polluting the environment. Dispose of any waste object properly.

What can I do if, while Magnet Fishing, my magnet gets stuck?

First, there are two main reasons this may happen:

If the second scenario is your case, you can try pulling your magnet sideways, since the force needed to make it slide on the surface is much smaller than that required to detatch it. Eventually, your magnet could get off the edge, or to a position with less surface to adhere to.

Other solutions are:

If nothing works, unfortunately, your magnet is lost forever. You can at least retrieve your rope (or part of it, if you can’t untie it and you need to cut it).

Here you can take a look at our magnets specific for MAGNET FISHING

If you need assistance for choosing the right Magnet, you need a magnet you can’t find in our store, or you need a cutom-made product
CONTACT US or use the chat.

We try to keep a comprehensive and updated product list of the items available in our warehouse, but there are hundreds of them still not on the web store. If you don’t find the right size, shape or grade, just ask our team. We could have your magnet readily available!