1. Get the Right Magnet Type

If you’re going magnet fishing, you will need the right magnet. It’s easy to find a magnet at a store, but it is essential to get a designed magnet for this activity. It will help you avoid frustration and find more items.

You will need a Neodymium magnet, also called a “rare earth” magnet. This particular variety of magnets is quite potent and can draw things closer to it. You will need this power to get most things you encounter. Please ensure the magnet you get has an eyelet so you can attach it to a rope. It is common in most magnet fishing kits today.

These magnets can be hazardous if not used carefully. Your fingers can get pinched or broken, electronics can get destroyed, and sharp metal shards can fly around. Taking the necessary steps will allow you to avoid these threats. Check our other article on the perils of magnet fishing if you would want to learn more about these risks and how to keep safe.

2. Use the Proper Knot

Just like regular fishing, there is always a danger of losing your equipment every time you use it. Any body of water’s bottom is covered with organic material and trash. It can make it difficult to get your equipment back.

Your knot is typically the weakest point of your rope, assuming the rope is not frayed or otherwise compromised. A failed knot could lead to losing your magnet. Make sure you use a good knot on your magnet and safety end.

Here is a helpful video on tying a very common and strong knot.

3. Rope Matters

Magnet fishing is a process that only requires a few pieces of equipment. All of these pieces are important, but the most important piece is the magnet itself. Make sure to be careful with your magnet so you don’t lose it like you would the items you’re trying to find.

There are several different types of ropes that you can buy to use for magnet fishing. Each type has its strengths and weaknesses. Most magnet fishing kits come with a nylon rope or a parachute cord.

Paracord is very light and durable. It is also strong. However, it is typically smaller, which can lead to a decrease in comfort over time. There are also numerous varieties of paracord with differing qualities. It is resistant to mildew and can tolerate a great deal of abuse.

Nylon is slightly heavier than paracord but can stretch when applying tension. It can help free items that are buried under sediment. Additionally, it is resistant to mildew and can tolerate significant misuse.

4. Gloves

There are several good reasons to use gloves when deploying your magnet. Choosing the correct type of gloves will save you time and trouble.

When purchasing gloves, you should first examine how well they protect your hands. You will want to find a pair that can protect your hands from everything, including fish hooks and rusty nails. It is essential to be safe and have gloves that can cover you up.

You will also want gloves that are water resistant. It is because you will constantly be pulling on a wet rope and grabbing wet things. The bottom of a lake or river can be very nasty and slimy, so gloves will help you avoid coming in contact with it.

5. Apparel Considerations

You might want to wear waterproof shoes or boots when hunting. It is because you will be around and sometimes standing in water. It is also a good idea to consider where you will be hunting and decide if some snake protection might be good. There are boots and even snake guards on sale.

Another thing I wish I had known a long time ago is how to choose the right pants for metal detection. It’s essential to wear pants that won’t get wet because you’ll end up getting soaked if you don’t. The magnet and a metal detector will attract water and drip onto your pants. And the rope can also get wet and make your pants damp.

Sometimes water can help cool you down on a hot day. But other times, it will make you wet, and you will have to stop what you are doing. Plan to know when it is safe to get wet and when it is not.

6. Choose the Right Location

It can be tough to find items in a murky body of water. You might need the luck to find what you’re looking for. A few actions will improve your chances of success.

It will help if you are looking for places with many people. This way, you can attract more potential buyers for your home. Look for areas where people get close to the water or even in it. Good examples of places like this are swimming beaches and popular fishing spots.

You can also look for places where people get on and off boats. There are many types of docks for this purpose. Some ports are designed for people to step on and off boats. Other landings are for the deployment of these aquatic transports, yet others are for storage of the boat when not in use. All of these places can be good spots to hunt.

You can also look for bridges and piers. It is an excellent place to look for something someone might have thrown in the water.

7. Pros/Cons of Single-Sided Magnets

A single-sided magnet is a magnet that has one side exposed. The other side is attached to a rope. These magnets are less expensive than double-sided magnets because you only need to buy one side of the magnet.

Single-sided magnets are ideal for use when deploying from docks and piers. This type of magnet works best when you can deploy it straight down. When you throw and retrieve the magnet, it does ok. However, when you pull the magnet back to shore, the nonmagnetic side will drag along the lake’s bottom. Any things that are immediately in front of your retrieval path have the possibility of being bypassed.

However, this disadvantage can be overcome by tugging gently. In this instance, the shear strength of the magnet can be helpful. Suppose you pull over a metal object not picked up because the nonmagnetic leading edge hit it. In this situation, you still have the option of allowing the magnet’s force to accomplish the task.

This type of magnet can also pick up objects not immediately in front of it. If you pull slowly, the magnet will attract things off to the side.

8. Pros/Cons of Double-Sided Magnets

A double-sided magnet has two sides. It is usually attached to the retrieval chord via an eye bolt, but it can be attached on the side instead of the top. These magnets are generally more expensive.

The double-sided variety is better for throwing and retrieving, but it can still work for dropping. You never know which side of the magnet is facing down when you drop it in the water, so be careful.

One downside of this type of magnet is that it doesn’t allow you to catch things off to one side or the other. Usually, when you drag the magnet back to shore, one side will be pointing down and the other up.

9. Deployment and Retrieval Techniques

There are two different types of deployment and recovery techniques we use on our hunts. The first is the throw and pull technique. You throw your magnet into the water, wait for it to sink to the bottom, and slowly pull it back in. The second technique is called the anchor and drag technique. It is used when you are forced to fish from the shoreline. To use this technique, tie your magnet to a weight (an anchor) and slowly drag it along the bottom of the water body.

After you retrieve your magnet, throw it back out at a different angle. Keep doing this until you have tried every angle from where you are standing.

The drop technique is a way of dropping your magnet straight down from a pier or dock. Once it reaches the bottom, lift it slightly and let it sink again. Continue bouncing your magnet off the ground until the entire area has been covered or until you make contact with a target.

10. Loctite is a Must

Loctite can help you solve a lot of problems, including the biggest one of all: losing your magnet. Your magnet is being dragged along the bottom, twisting and turning countless times throughout your hunt.

Like any other screw, the threads on these screws can loosen over time. It can cause your magnet to come off the screw and fall off somewhere at the bottom of the lake.

Using Loctite can prevent this from happening. It is a type of glue that will hold the threads of the screws together, so they don’t loosen over time.

11. Be Patient

Magnet fishing can be a fun hobby, but finding anything also takes a lot of luck. It is especially true when you are looking for specific items.

There are many videos on the internet of people finding all sorts of things. Sometimes these things are found in groups, which can be a great day. Be patient, though. You will eventually come across something worthwhile.

12. Be Methodical

You are left with endless possibilities when you think about what could be under the surface of any waterway. Some goods can be large, like an old safe. Others, such as jewelry, can be tiny. Smaller items are easier to miss.

You should always be careful when you are looking for your lost keys. It might be tempting to look everywhere, but this could lead to you not finding them. Try looking in specific places first; if that doesn’t work, try other sites.

Create a plan and follow it. Start on one side of the home, then circle it. You can also start in the middle and work to one side, then come back and do the other. Make sure your plan is what you want, and then stick to it.

13. Be Realistic

When you go magnet fishing, you can find many good things. But don’t expect to find something valuable every time. Most of the time, you’ll only find some scrap metal or fishing equipment. Sometimes you won’t find anything at all.

Even though there is a chance that you might not find anything valuable while hunting, some people still enjoy doing it because of the thrill of the chase.

14. Practice

It would be best if you practiced before you went on a magnet fishing adventure. This way, you will know how your equipment works and how well it performs.

When you use a magnet, you will want to know how it feels when connecting to something metallic. If you do it this way, you can gauge when it is secure to keep dragging the magnet across the pool’s bottom. You should not continue to manipulate your magnet if something is already attached. Knowing this sensation will help determine the optimal time to remove the magnet from the water.

You should also know how your rope handles and how your carabiners work. Before tossing your rope into the water, you should know the optimal manner to lay out your rope if you are utilizing them. It can help you save time and effort. Additionally, you must confirm that your carabiner is locked before leaping in case something goes wrong.

Get a bucket, tub, pool, or bathtub and put some metallic items underwater. Drop your magnet in and note the sensation your rope gives you once you have connected with an object.

15. After Hunt Care

Now that you have finished your hunt, there are a few simple things you need to do to take care of your equipment and prepare it for your next adventure.

You should use a mold/mildew-resistant rope when you store your equipment and garage. It will help keep the smell of the tuna factory away. It is also a good idea to dry off your magnet. Most magnets are rust-resistant. However, there may be nicks and breaks from the lake. It will help prevent any nasty smells next time you open your case.

Take care of your gloves by washing and drying them. Store your setup in a safe place where sensitive items like computers won’t damage it. You also want to put your magnet in a spot where it won’t be hit by other metal objects, which could damage the magnet or the other objects.

If you find any unwanted items while magnet fishing, discard them safely or recycle them. If the item has any value, try to find the owner or a museum or university who would be interested in it.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the rules and legislation in the region where you intend to go hunting is crucial. Some areas have no restrictions, but others have very strict laws that could lead to imprisonment or fines if you break them. Knowing the law does not give you a pass to break it.

When you’re hunting on private property, always ask for permission first. Likewise, when you’re outside, pay attention to your surroundings. It’s essential to stay safe when you’re doing any activities like this. Some risks include broken bones, animal bites, and even death. But if you care and have fun, you’ll be fine!

Read more: The hidden dangers of magnet fishing