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Magnet fishing may be a ridiculously appealing pastime, but it’s an increasingly popular new hobby. Some individuals go magnet fishing just out of curiosity, while others want to make money from what they find.
Magnet fishing may pique your attention to the point that you’d consider trying it. What, however, is required for magnet fishing? Where can I go fishing with magnets? How can anything important be retrieved from the water?
Our ultimate comprehensive guide to magnet fishing will address concerns of this nature. This ultimate guide will be very helpful if you’ve just started magnet fishing.
1. Essentials for magnet Fishing
To attract fish, there are two things you must have. These are a rope and a magnet. A magnet and a rope are sufficient to get you started with magnet fishing, even though we will offer further item recommendations.
Now that you know what you are dealing with, let’s go over the magnet fishing essentials in more detail.
1.1 Magnet
The components of a magnet used for magnet fishing include the magnet itself, an eyebolt to which a rope can be attached, and a screw holding the eyebolt in place.
A magnet is the most important tool in a magnet fisher’s toolbox, and you should use a strong magnet for magnet fishing. But it is simple to confuse because there are so many best magnets available.
i. Kinds of Fishing Magnets
Neodymium and ferrite magnets are the best magnets most frequently used in magnet fishing, among which Neodymium ones are very strong.
a. Neodymium Magnets
Neodymium magnets are very strong and the strongest magnet on the market since they are rare-earth magnets. Hundreds or even thousands of times heavier objects than neodymium magnets can be raised. Additionally, they have the ability to draw ferrous metals from a far distance.
Neodymium magnets have a pulling force that frequently exceeds 500 pounds and occasionally even 1,000 pounds or more. As a result, if you don’t intend to catch larger objects or don’t currently have the equipment to support what the magnet is capable of, we would advise against using a neodymium magnet.
b. Ferrite Magnets
Ferrite magnets are much less expensive than neodymium magnets despite not containing rare-earth elements.
However, consider that ferrite magnets are considerably less powerful than neodymium magnets. Since its pulling capacity often doesn’t exceed 300 pounds, they are better suited for collecting smaller objects.
1.2 Pulling Force
The pulling force, expressed in pounds, determines how much weight a magnet can hold. Neodymium magnets, which can draw up to 1,000 pounds, have the strongest pulling power of any commercially available magnet. Typically, ferrite magnets can draw up to 300 pounds.
Don’t forget to consider the other parts of your pulling system’s longevity. You will have 700 pounds of untapped pulling power if your rope can sustain 300 pounds, but your magnet can pull 1,000.
1.3 Rope
The second item you must need for magnet fishing is a rope. A rope fastened to the magnet lets you quickly remove it from the water after submerging it.
Paracord rope is manufactured of nylon are frequently used by magnet anglers. The strength of paracord ropes has led to its widespread application in various contexts outside of the military and parachuting.
When using a magnet rope, you need to consider two factors: weight and the maximum load, which should be comparable to the magnet’s pulling force.
It is often advised for magnet fishing to choose ropes that are 50 feet or less in length. You should be able to reach the bottom of most of the water bodies where you will be fishing with a rope that is 50 feet long. Choose a longer rope if you think you’ll need one.
2. Optional Equipements for Magnet Fishing
We’ll go through a few things you should take with you when magnet fishing below.
2.1 Gloves
Magnet fishing doesn’t strictly need you to wear gloves, although we highly recommend it. When magnet fishing, gloves are advised for three reasons:
Your skin will be shielded from any toxins in the water and against scrapes and bruises when magnet fishing. Your skin will be shielded from rope friction. You’ll find it simpler to keep hold of the rope.
2.2 Carabiner
Additionally, some individuals purchase carabiners for use in magnet fishing. The plan is to link your magnet’s eyebolt into the carabiner after tying the rope.
When changing magnets, you may knot the rope instead of untying it. Similarly, a carabiner would be worthless if you just had one magnet.
2.3 Threadlocker
You may not be as concerned with durability and dependability as a more experienced one in magnet fishing.
Fasteners like bolts or screws can be coated with a thread locker adhesive to stop them from losing over time. If you are worried about dependability, using a thread locker may be a smart option because fishing magnets often connect their eyebolts using a screw.
The color coding of thread lockers is a visual cue to their potential strength range.
i. Threadlocker Color Codes
a. Purple
Purple threadlockers are often utilized with fasteners with a diameter of less than 1/4 inch. These fasteners need around 55-inch pounds of tension to release themselves.
b. Blue
Fasteners that aren’t taken off all that frequently but might need to be for maintenance are utilized with blue thread lockers. Used most frequently with fasteners with a diameter of up to 3/4 inch.
c. Red
Fasteners that are never meant to be loosened employ red thread lockers. As a result, they are frequently called perpetual terrorists. Fasteners with a diameter up to an inch often require a red thread locker.
d. Green
Green threadlockers are designed to penetrate the threads of previously assembled pieces. Thus, when a thread locker can’t be applied beforehand, green-coded threadlockers are employed.
It might be challenging to predict the type of thread locker you require and whether you would even need one. Unless you never intend to remove the eyebolt from the magnet, we would urge you to use a low- or medium-strength thread locker if you believe that you need the added dependability it can offer.
Additionally, avoid choosing a threadlocker that you won’t be able to remove using the equipment at your disposal.
2.4 Bucket
Do you realize that you will need a place to store all of your finds when you go magnet fishing? A bucket might work well for this. While magnet fishing, a bucket would be a useful container to store your treasures in and make it easier to transport everything back home.
The primary characteristics to look for in a magnet fishing bucket are corrosion resistance and resistance to substances like chemicals or acids. Hence, a strong bucket is essential.
2.5 Knife
If your magnet becomes submerged, a knife will come in helpful.
Due to the risks involved in attempting to extract a trapped magnet, it is typically not advised. But if you have a knife to cut the rope with, you may simply salvage the rope. You wouldn’t be able to use your magnet or the rope without a knife.
Choose a corrosion-resistant knife since you might need to cut the rope in deep water.
2.6 Hand Sanitizer
Magnet fishing will certainly turn up rusted and unclean items. In addition to using gloves, you should also carry some antibacterial gel or hand sanitizer to protect your skin.
2.7 First Aid Kit
You should also include a first aid kit because magnet fishing might result in scrapes and bruises. Magnet fishing should be possible with a simple first aid kit. Make sure your first aid pack has the following supplies:
- Plasters.
- Dressings are made of sterile gauze.
- Sterile eye bands.
- Bandages.
- Security pins.
- Sterile disposable gloves.
- Antiseptic lotion.
- Scissors and tweezers.
- Distilled water is used to clean wounds.
- Wipes for cleaning without alcohol.
3. What Kind of Knot is Best for Magnet Fishing?
Any of the many different knots available to you might be used. However, because of its durability and simplicity of tying, it is typically advised to use the so-called Palomar knot for magnet fishing. This knot is also often used in conventional fishing.
4. Where to Magnet Fish?
Once you have everything you need for magnet fishing, the location is the most important thing to choose. Water is the only thing you need to attract fish, so it’s quite easy. But some places are far superior to others.
In actuality, being able to choose a location is more crucial than being able to toss a magnet into the sea.
Here are some standards for a top magnet fishing location:
- There should be a lot of traffic at the magnet fishing location, which means there will be more people, items dropped, and items to be found.
- The water must be sufficiently deep. Sunken objects are simpler to identify, and it is more probable that someone passing by has cleaned the bottom in a shallow area.
3 feet of depth or more should be plenty. Choose a location more than 6 feet deep if the water is clear.
To be safe, however, you should choose a shallower area if you are a beginner or will be traveling with children.
Let’s look at a few probable locations to give you a sense of where you can fish.
4.1 Rivers
Magnet fishing will be successful in a river that draws a lot of frequent anglers. Always remember that rivers with a lot of adjacent traffic are preferable. If there were a bridge nearby where you planned to magnetize fish, that would be helpful.
But remember that you might need to ask the landowner for their permission before magnet fishing.
4.2 Canals
Since they are frequently found in high-traffic locations, canals are good places for magnet fishing. In a canal, you could find a lot of intriguing things. However, if you want to go magnet fishing in a canal, you still need to seek authorization.
4.3 Beaches
If you have trouble gaining permission in other places, beaches might be really helpful. The reason why beaches remain the same. Finding a decent position on a beach is also not too difficult because beaches are frequently used by fishermen, tourists, dog walkers, and many other people.
4.4 Streams
Although there aren’t many metal things to locate in streams, as they are frequently fairly shallow, they may be an excellent place to start if you’re just getting started. A stream will also be a safer location if you are planning to magnet fish with your kids.
5. Legal Aspects of Magnet Fishing
Is magnet fishing legal is a common query from novice magnet fishermen?
You aren’t breaking the law by attempting to catch something from the bottom of a nearby river because there don’t appear to be any particular rules that would make magnet fishing illegal.
You should still study the local regulations in your area because there could be certain particulars about magnet fishing.
On the other side, you might need to ask the landowner for permission if you want to go magnet fishing.
Yes, even the furthest-off and most inaccessible river could have a landowner. And you should get the owner’s permission to magnetize fish if you want to prevent legal problems.
6. Techniques of Magnet Fishing
However, there are several magnet fishing strategies that you must be aware of.
6.1 The Up-and-Down Method
This is the most basic method of magnet fishing, and it’s frequently used on bridges. The magnet is simply lowered into the water, allowed to sink, and then gently pulled back up.
The advantage of this approach is that there is less chance that the magnet may become entangled or grab something in the water.
On the other hand, using this approach will need you to lower the magnet to the exact location of the object you want to retrieve.
6.2 The Throw-and-Pull Technique
The toss and pull technique involve throwing the magnet into the water and then, as the name suggests, pulling it back towards you. The magnet picks up any ferrous objects on the bottom as it travels back.
The toss and pull method boost your chances of capturing ferrous objects. However, it also raises the possibility of the magnet becoming attached to something in the water.
6.3 The Throwing, Pulling, and Walking Technique
On bridges where you can’t utilize the standard throw and pull approach, this technique is frequently used.
A magnet is thrown into the water by a magnet fisherman, who then moves back and forth while dragging the magnet to grab ferrous objects.
7. What May be Discovered When Magnet Fishing?
There are so many things that may be discovered in bodies of water, like rivers or lakes, that you may not have ever considered.
This provides a wide range of chances for individuals searching for material gain from magnet fishing and those who enjoy collecting antiques.
Objects constructed of ferromagnetic materials are those that magnets can attract. Since gold and silver are not ferromagnetic, you won’t be able to snag gold chains or other objects on the bottom, which is why many people question if their magnets will be able to draw them.
On the other hand, if you are fortunate enough to find jewelry in a ferromagnetic metal container, you will be able to retrieve it from the water.
Additionally, you might not be able to capture coins. However, older coins consisting of iron or other magnetic materials will adhere to your magnet without any issues.
You can generally find all types of chains, jewelry, safe boxes, tools, keys, phones, dangerous objects like guns, and possibly even treasures when you go magnet fishing.
7.1 What to do if you Discover Explosives or Firearms
First and foremost, use extreme safety precautions if you take an assault weapon or a grenade out of the water since they can still be active and a menace to you and others.
The authorities should be contacted next so that they can respond to your discoveries.
Some people prefer to keep their guns to themselves instead of turning them into the authorities. Consider a few things if you also want to accomplish this.
The first thing to look for on a weapon is serial numbers. If it doesn’t, having one will probably be against the law where you live; however, you should check with your local authorities first.
If it’s against the law to possess weapons without serial numbers, your only choice is to turn your fine over to the law.
7.2 What to do if you Discover Valuables or Historic Objects
You are often obligated by law to report findings that fall under the definition of the treasure act and artifacts of historical significance. Since local laws vary, it is impossible to predict which findings will be covered by such statutes.
If your findings support this, adhere to your local code’s standards.
8. Cleaning magnet fishing finds
Most of your findings will likely be rusted after spending months, years, or even decades in the sea. Therefore, you must carefully remove the rust in a way that won’t injure you or the find.
There are several approaches to rust removal. Here are several methods that should help you remove most of the rust from your discoveries while still being safe.
8.1 Vinegar
Magnet fishing is one of the many uses for vinegar, a universal cleaning solution.
Put your discovery in a bowl of vinegar and let it soak for the entire night to clean it. After that, clean the rust and vinegar off of the treasure.
8.2 Lemon Juice with Salt
With this technique, you must first rub salt over all the places you wish to remove rust from. Once you’ve applied the salt to the necessary area, pour some lemon juice over the salt. Let the find a few hours to sit in this position.
Then it’s time to clean the find of any unpleasant substances. Make use of a gentler brush or cloth.
8.3 Baking Soda
You must prepare a water-soda solution to remove the rust from your discovery. Creating a thick, paste-like solution to remove rust is typically advised. The likelihood is that the rust won’t be able to be removed if the solution is watery.
Apply the solution to the surfaces of the find that require cleaning after creating it. After letting the object soak for a few hours, scrub the rust and the solution off while making sure to use the right cleaning equipment.
9. Safety Advice for Magnet Fishing
Although magnet fishing is a pretty easy sport, some serious concerns are involved. So, the most important magnet fishing safety advice is provided below.
9.1 Examine the Location Where you Plan to go Magnet Fishing
Always evaluate the region where you will be fishing before you begin to attract fish. Keep an eye out for potential dangers, such as locations where you may fall or mud that is slipping. Be cautious when moving about if you’re fishing near a bridge or another region where there is a lot of traffic.
9.2 Always put on Gloves
Wearing gloves will protect your hands from pollutants that may live on objects submerged in water for a long time. Gloves protect your hands from cuts and bruises, which dangerous infections could make into your body. Wearing gloves will protect your hands from the friction with the rope.
9.3 Do not tie a Magnet to Yourself
You should never tie a magnet to yourself in hopes of making the catch easier, regardless of how powerful your magnet is. Magnets attract heavy objects, and you could be easily blasted into the water. And when underwater, you may be unable to untie yourself or cut the rope.
9.4 Do not Jump into the Water for a Stuck Magnet
No matter how expensive or powerful your magnet is, you should not jump into the water to retrieve it if it gets stuck or tangled. The same as your magnet did, you can just become entangled or trapped.
A trapped magnet may be removed with safer methods. One of them is operating a cable puller that comes along.
9.5 Be Cautious with Weapons and Explosives
You must use extreme caution and notify the authorities immediately after you retrieve a grenade, mine, or gun out of the water. Report any suspicious activity to the police or your neighborhood watch.
9.6 Tell Someone you’re Going to go to Magnet Fishing
Make sure you contact or inform someone, whether a friend or a family member, about your magnet fishing excursion. Tell them precisely where you’ll be going, who you’ll be with, and when you plan to return. Be in contact with someone.
It’s fantastic if there is cellphone coverage where you plan to go magnet fishing. You can request a call from a friend or family after the time has passed. And if you don’t answer, they could contact the police.
Additionally, give them as much information as you can about your journey of magnet fishing so that the police can quickly locate you if something goes wrong.
10. Final Considerations
Always be aware of the rules and legislation governing the territory you intend to hunt. Some locations have no limits and others, like South Carolina, with highly harsh rules that might result in jail time or penalties. You are still subject to the law even if you don’t understand it.
Always get permission before hunting on someone else’s land, and be cautious when deploying.
This kind of hobby has several inherent risks, including but not limited to broken bones, animal attacks, and even death. By engaging in these activities, you do so at your own risk.
Have fun and be safe!
Last Updated on by alishbarehman
