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Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Paul Clayton
Table of Contents
What is Magnet Fishing and How to Get Started?
Treasure hunters and fishing enthusiasts! Let’s dive into the world of magnet fishing, where the only bait you need is a hefty fishing magnet and some trusty magnet rope.
Key Takeaways
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- Magnet Fishing Basics: Magnet fishing is a modern treasure-hunting activity that involves using a strong magnet and rope to retrieve metallic objects from water bodies. It combines elements of fishing and treasure hunting.
- Why Try Magnet Fishing:
- Luck-Based Treasure Hunting: It’s a budget-friendly way to satisfy a gambling itch without heading to a casino.
- Combining with Boating: Adds an exciting activity to boating trips.
- Environmental Benefits: Helps clean water bodies by removing metal debris.
- Popular Finds: Finds can range from scrap metal to historical artifacts, with notable discoveries, including ancient weapons and war relics.
- Best Locations for Magnet Fishing:
- Historical Sites: Higher chances of finding historical artifacts.
- Villages and Old Towns: Less frequented areas may yield unique finds.
- Canals and Footbridges: Common spots for everyday items and potential treasures.
- Fishing Docks: Great for beginners to practice.
- Legal Considerations: Magnet fishing legality varies by location. It is generally allowed in the US but may have restrictions in other countries like the UK.
- Equipment Needed:
- Neodymium Magnet: Strong magnet, ideally with a pull force of 300-500 lbs for beginners.
- Rope: Strong nylon or paracord rope, around 50-100 feet long.
- Bucket: For collecting finds.
- Safety Gear: Gloves, safety glasses, and waterproof boots.
- Techniques:
- Throw and Pull: Common method for lakes.
- Throw and Walk While Pulling: Effective for canals and footbridges.
- No-Drag Method: Vertical dropping, suitable for avoiding snags.
- Handling Finds:
- Weapons and Artillery: Contact authorities immediately.
- Coins and Knives: Clean and evaluate, potentially sellable at pawn shops.
- Scrap Metal: Recycle responsibly; do not discard back into the water.
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This isn’t your grandpa’s leisurely pastime. It’s a modern-day treasure-hunting game that involves tossing a magnet into bodies of water and hauling up whatever metallic objects are lurking below. Your catch of the day could be anything from rusty nails to lost wedding rings.
Fishing on a sunny day in your precious boat is one of the numerous pleasures of the outdoors.
You’re at peace, waiting for your catch so you can head home and devour all that deliciousness.
Magnet fishing is pretty much the same. Just replace the yummy White Bass with a piece of rusted metal that’s either scrap or worth thousands. Not sure what I’m talking about? You’ve come to the right place.
But first things first, you’ll need the right magnet fishing tools to get started.
In this article, I’ll talk about magnet fishing – why it’s fun, how to do it, and more. So, read on!
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What’s It About?
Magnet fishing is a niche hobby for people who like to try their luck. You do it by tying a rope to a strong magnet and throwing it in the water, just like when fishing. The magnet will eventually find a metal object buried in the depths of the water, and that’s your catch.
Whether or not the metal object is worth it depends on your luck. You could find a catch worth hundreds and even thousands or end up with a rotten can.
Why Go Magnet Fishing?
While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, magnet fishing has become increasingly popular recently. Here’s why you may want to try it out:
Gambling with Luck
Maybe you don’t have the pocket to try your luck in Vegas. But if you have a knack for it, you can go magnet fishing to find hidden treasures underwater.
Plus, you won’t have to give up much money. Just buy a bunch of equipment, and that’s pretty much it.
You Like Boating
While you’re out in a boat with lots of time, you might as well give magnet fishing a go. Not only will you have an excuse to go boating, but you’ll also have a chance to catch something valuable and make some cash.
A Good Cause
Every year, tons of metal is dumped into water bodies. This includes the stuff thrown out from boats and ships, which pollutes the water and poisoning a lot of aquatic life. While you can’t clean an entire river or lake, you can do your part by fishing out ferrous metals.
Think about it: you’re out in a beautiful lake, you’re having a good time, you have a chance at finding treasures, and you’re contributing to cleaning the waterbed. If exercised safely, what’s there to lose?
Recent Finds
Not everyone finds antiques and treasures while magnet fishing. Sometimes, all you’ll get is coins, nails, and other insignificant finds, and you’ll think, ‘Is this even worth it?’ But don’t get disheartened because patience is key.
If you lose hope at the sight of useless scraps of metal, consider all the instances in the past where people discovered hidden treasures buried hundreds of years ago.
Here’s some motivation:
- In 2019, a 13-year-old boy named George Tindale found several old grenades, knives, and guns, including an ancient pinfire revolver from 1880. His findings were spread in different waterways in the UK.
- Also in 2023, a man found a WW1 artifact – a mortar grenade – while magnet fishing in the Grand River, Michigan.
- Other remarkable finds include a WW2 submachine gun in Hungary and a Civil War cannonball in Leicester.
Remember: in the end, all that should matter is that you had a fun day out!
Where to Go Magnet Fishing?
While your finds mainly depend on your luck, it helps to fish in certain areas where you’re more likely to find exciting things. Here’s where you can try magnet fishing:
Historical Sites
You’re more likely to find some hidden gems near a place with a rich history. For instance, you can Google a historic battle site and any streams or rivers near your region.
Even though your chances are low, if you find something, it may be an old artifact, artillery, etc. Exciting.
Villages and Old Towns
Traveling to old villages and towns for magnet fishing is a good idea. This is because it’s less likely someone else has previously fished here, leaving you with higher chances of finding some age-old stuff that’s waiting to be discovered.
Canals
Look up canals near populated areas. Do you live near one? It’s worth trying your luck in canals because so many people drop their stuff there! You can enjoy a pleasant evening stroll near it even if you find nothing.
Note: Watch out for drains, pipes, valves, etc. Your magnet can get stuck on these metal structures.
Footbridges
A commonplace for magnet fishing, footbridges can bring you some exciting finds. You can try the ones near a tourist attraction, where many people pass daily. Or, you can go for a less frequently used footbridge and try finding something no one has looked for.
Fishing Docks
If you’re a beginner, I recommend visiting a fishing dock near your area. You probably won’t find anything valuable, but it’s suitable for practice.
Is Magnet Fishing Legal?
You’re probably wondering whether you need a license to go magnet fishing or if it’s even permissible in your area. The answer is not easy, depending on where you live.
For the most part, you don’t need a license to go magnet fishing. But whether it’s legal depends on where you live. For instance, magnet fishing is a well-tolerated activity in the US and is permitted in most states.
However, in the UK, there are some laws and restrictions for magnet fishers; for example, you’re only allowed to fish on private properties in some areas, and in other places, magnet fishers are prohibited from carrying out their activities.
Though magnet fishing is not generally illegal in most countries, you should check your state’s laws before proceeding with it.
Get Started
Okay, now that you have some knowledge and background info about magnet fishing, it’s time to get moving. You can get into magnet fishing just by buying a magnet, but the best way is to buy a magnet fishing kit. If you’re serious about it, read the steps below regarding supplies and methods to become a successful magnet fisher:
Gather Your Equipment
Here’s all you need to buy before you head out:
A Magnet
Any old magnet won’t work for this kind of job. You’ll have to get yourself a neodymium magnet, one of the strongest ones mankind knows of.
These magnets, designed explicitly for magnet fishing, come in different sizes and pull forces. They start from 200 lbs and go up to 1200 lbs, but I recommend 300-500 lbs for beginners. With an eyebolt on top, you can easily tie them to a rope and pull heavy objects from underwater.
Some sizes of neodymium magnets are suitable for kids, so they can safely enjoy magnet fishing as much as adults.
Rope
Of course, you need a flexible and robust rope for pulling up objects from underwater. A nylon rope or paracord makes an excellent choice. It’s super strong and abrasion-resistant, which is advantageous since you’ll be dealing with sharp, rusted objects.
The rope’s thickness depends on your preference. With a thin rope, it’ll be easier to tell if your magnet has stuck to something. However, a thicker rope is more comfortable to pull, so keep this in mind while purchasing.
Lastly, decide on the rope length. If you plan to fish from a bridge, you’ll need a 100-foot-long rope. For places like a fishing dock, 50 feet is more than enough.
Bucket
It would be best to have something to hold whatever you pull out of the water. A large and sturdy plastic bucket will do, and it will also help carry all the heavy stuff. For small objects like hooks, nails, etc., you’ll want a separate bucket/container/box as they are sharp.
Safety Gloves
It would be best to buy yourself a pair of cut—and abrasion-resistant safety gloves. Dealing with sharp, rusted objects can be pretty dangerous, so it’s important to wear a thick pair of gloves before you touch such stuff.
Other Protective Gear
To be on the safe side, wear safety glasses. You never know what you’ll pull from under the water’s surface. Waterproof boots or shoes will also significantly help, especially if the weather is cold.
Prepare the Equipment
Follow these steps before you head out into the water for a hassle-free experience:
- First, apply a strong adhesive or sealant, like Loctite, where the eyebolt attaches to the magnet. This will prevent it from loosening.
- Next, tie the rope to the magnet’s eyebolt using a Palomar or figure-eight knot.
- Wrap the rope around something cylindrical, like a bottle or a can, so it doesn’t get tangled.
How to Fish With Magnets
Ready to go on the treasure hunt? Below are some ways to effectively use your magnet to retrieve buried objects:
Throw and Pull
One commonly used method is the throw-and-pull action, which works well for lakes. Throw the magnet in the water as far as you want and pull it back, dragging it towards yourself. If you’re lucky, the magnet will attach itself to something on its way back.
The downside? Your magnet could become lodged in something and become stuck. If this happens to you, try tugging and pulling at different angles to free the magnet.
Throw and Walk While Pulling
This method is ideal for canals and footbridges. Start by throwing the magnet into the water as far as you want, and walk alongside the canal or bridge, dragging the magnet. If you feel something, pull it back towards yourself.
No-Drag Method
In this technique, you want to avoid dragging the magnet. Instead, it is thrown vertically downwards into the water, unlike the previous methods aimed far away and horizontally. If you don’t feel stuck to something, pull it out and plunge it a few inches away from the first spot.
This method is less likely to cause your magnet to get stuck, but you’ll need patience since it doesn’t cover many areas in one go.
What to Do With Your Findings
So, you finally found something interesting? If you’re unsure of what to do with your finds, here’s a quick guide :
Grenades and Artillery
Exciting as it is to find a gun or grenade, you should NOT try to take it home with you. When it comes to guns, always call the police the first thing, and they’ll know what to do. The gun could be a murder weapon, and you don’t want to own that.
The same goes for grenades: the authorities will decide whether it’s safe. If it’s clear, they’ll probably let you take it home. You can add it to your antique collection or sell it from here.
Ancient Coins/Knives/Etc
If you’ve found an unusual or similar coin, take it to a pawn shop. They’ll be able to tell you what it’s worth if you’re interested in selling it.
Note: make sure you thoroughly clean these objects before storing them. Use vinegar, lime juice, or a commercial rust remover and scrub away the dirt and rust (wear gloves!). Soak in water for a few hours and thoroughly wash before anything else.
Scrap Metal
If you haven’t struck gold and all you’ve found is scrap metal, please don’t throw it back into the water. It’s important to recycle it, even if they’re small objects like nails, hooks, etc. Call up any local recycling services if you’ve found something massive, like a bicycle.
Wrapping Up
So, you’ve made it to the end, brave explorer. You’ve navigated the murky depths of magnet fishing and emerged, perhaps a little muddier but certainly much wiser.
Magnet fishing, as we’ve established, is less about catching fish and more about reeling in whatever metallic treasures lurk beneath our world’s waters.
It’s like regular fishing but for the Indiana Joneses among us—those who crave adventure and the thrill of the unexpected.
To start this journey of discovery, you’ll need some magnet fishing tools. A sturdy fishing magnet to act as your underwater metal detector and a robust magnet rope to reel in your finds.
Think of your fishing magnet as your trusty sidekick, ready to dive into the unknown at your command. Your magnet rope is your lifeline, connecting you to your submerged associate and ensuring no treasure gets left behind.
But remember, folks, with excellent magnetic power comes great responsibility. Always stay safe and respect local laws. Now, conquer those aquatic depths with your newfound knowledge and essential magnet fishing tools! Who knows what bounty awaits beneath the surface?
While this hobby isn’t for everyone, it’s as close as it gets to treasure hunting without spending much. Okay, maybe it’s not as thrilling as searching for the Lost City, but not knowing what you’ll pull out every time is the beauty of it.
I will say, though, be careful with your magnets, especially in areas where there are moving motorboats. Also, make sure you are fishing in a permitted area.
If you take all these precautions, including wearing protective gear, magnet fishing can be a fun and exciting pastime for kids and adults alike.
Good luck on your magnet fishing journey!
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