Magnet Fishing Buying Guide [Magnet Comparisons]

Magnet fishing is a sport that is quickly gaining traction with new and veteran anglers alike due to the cost-effective nature. Initially very popular throughout Europe, magnet fishing has taken off in the United States with celebrities and everyday people heading to the water with their magnets to try and unearth treasures.

For less than $200, you can purchase everything you need to spend days out on the water. Magnet fishing also works well in shallow bodies of water, deeper lakes, streams, ponds, marshes, and wetlands. It’s legal in every state except South Carolina in the United States, and you don’t need a fishing license. Anything you find is yours to keep, and this is part of the draw for avid fishers.

You use a Neodymium magnet with an eyebolt and heavy-duty cord-like paracord to fish with. These types of magnets are some of the strongest magnets you can buy, and they have an immense pulling force that ranges up into the thousands of pounds. Since paracord comes rated to haul 550 pounds and over, it’s relatively easy to hook larger items and pull them in while you magnet fish without worrying about losing them due to magnet failure or fraying rope.

Many people use GPS and tracking to find historical sites around the state to magnet fish. These historical sites are more likely to have caches of hidden treasures than traditional lakes, ponds, or streams. You can pull out cool historical artifacts like weaponry, coins, signage, and much more.

You do find a lot of scraps or junk, but there are treasures hidden below the surface of the water, and this is what draws so many people to try it. Everyone dreams of pulling out a safe or cash box full of jewelry or money, but antique items can bring in a lot of money too. Most of the items clean up nicely, and there are shops all over the United States that would be happy to purchase these items.

Another draw of magnet fishing is that it mirrors real fishing with the anticipation levels. For example, you toss your magnet into the water and slowly pull it back toward you. You’ll feel it latch onto something when it brushes by anything metal. Then, you can haul in your catch to see what you got.

Since there are so many different magnets available, you can experiment with various designs without spending too much money. For example, there are top mount magnets, cone magnets, double-sided magnets, full kits, and accessories like plastic covers that prevent the magnets from snagging on things when you fish. A lot of people swear by the double-sided magnets because they give you double the magnet to catch on something as you pull them by.

All skill levels can participate as well, and this turns magnet fishing into something fun for the whole family to try. The entire setup only weighs a few pounds at most, and this means that kids can even get in on the action and see what they can find. All of these reasons are why magnet fishing is quickly gaining a large following throughout North America, and our magnet fishing buying guide will help you pick out the best magnet for your needs.