Magnet Fishing
Detecting with a metal detector is a quite widespread hobby. It is not as common, yet, to have tried Magnet fishing. If you enjoy being out in the woods and fields and discovering new (and old) things, then magnet fishing is something for you to try. Through all times, people have lost or thrown, stuff in the water that they have not been able to get back. These things are now waiting at the bottom of streams and lakes. Waiting to be found and pulled to the surface by someone with a strong magnet.
What is magnet fishing?
Magnet fishing is an enjoyable hobby gaining new practitioners every day. With a long rope and a powerful magnet, you can make beautiful finds. Magnet fishing is a hobby that suits everyone, regardless of age or gender.
Environment
It also has a positive impact on the environment. You pick up things that should not be there, from the bottom of the lakes and channels. It is the perfect blend of treasure hunting and environmental work. It’s a hunt for treasure, both adults and children love.
Equipment For Magnet Fishing
Best Fishing Magnets
The equipment you need for magnetic fishing is simple and not very expensive. You need a strong long rope and a powerful retrieving magnet. Because metal objects that hide in seabeds are usually rusty and dirty, you need a powerful magnet to pull it up.
Neodymium Magnets
It’s good if the magnet has as big a magnetic face as possible. There are strong retrieving magnets that have a narrow cylindrical shape. These cylindrical magnets are not optimal for magnet fishing because the grip surface is too small. Neodymium magnets are quite brittle and may break if handled carelessly.
The most used magnet types are neodymium magnets or “super magnets“. These magnets are available in varying sizes and pull force. For an adult, it may be appropriate to start with a pulling power of about 80-120 kg. There are much stronger magnets. However, if such a super-strong magnet sticks to a heavy object, you may have trouble releasing it. So start with a weaker magnet until you get used to magnet fishing.
Remember to bring something to store the magnet. If stored loose in the boot of a car, it may attach to the metal chassis. A wooden box works well for storage. 💥 Also, note that these super magnets can be dangerous for children. With their high pull force, they can crush the fingers of a child, so be careful. 💥
Vikipedia info on neodymium magnets
Best rope for magnet fishing
The rope you need should, above all be sufficiently strong. So that it exceeds the pull strength of the magnet with a good margin. It should be long enough to make long throws and to make a loop at the back of the rope. That loop you attach to your arm or a tree so that you don’t throw the whole line into the water.
Magnet Fishing Finds
What you can catch with magnets are the so-called ferromagnetic metals. Gold and silver do not belong to them, so they have to be pulled up with the help of any other metal. Gold and silver can, for example, be in containers or boxes that you find. Alternatively, on jewellery or chains made from a magnetic metal. Should anyone have hidden or lowered precious metals into the water, it’s usually in some form of container. These containers can, if you are lucky, be pulled up to the surface.
Magnet fishing for coins
Most modern date coins do not get stuck on magnets, but old coins may be magnetic. In earlier times, iron was used in the coins, and these early coins attach to the magnet quite easily.
You will be amazed at how much hide on the bottom of the waterways. Some magnet fishing finds are new, and others are old. Most of what you find with a magnet is trash and not especially valuable or exciting. But from time to time, you find things that are interesting and which excite your imagination. It may be old weapons and knives, chains and jewellery, safe boxes, tools, keys or phones, etc.
Fishing dangers
If you find weapons or ammunition, which happens, it is advisable to contact the police. Handle them as little as possible and don’t leave them unattended on the shore. They are usually not dangerous after a long time in the water, but you can never be entirely sure.
Best Places To Magnet Fish
Also, you need an excellent place to fish, of course. There are many places suitable for magnetic fishing. First of all, it’s best if it’s not too deep, as you’re pulling the magnet along the bottom. Secondly, it’s good if it’s not too muddy and too many branches or tree trunks in which the magnet can get caught or trapped. The next thing is obvious – it needs to be a place where there are or where there have been people.
Magnet fishing in wells
Old wells have proven to be very rich in old finds. Both those that have been dropped and those that are thrown into the well. Bathing places, bridges, piers and harbours, both new and old, are excellent places. All cities and communities have rivers, canals and streams that flow through them. Also, there would have been much stuff thrown or fallen into the water. Most things may be scrap or junk, but some finds will be interesting.
Bring a magnet and rope with you when you go on holiday, so you’re always ready to do some magnet fishing. You will catch something, almost guaranteed.
Read the Blog Will a magnet pick up gold?
Is magnetic fishing legal?
The legality of magnet fishing is a pretty fuzzy area since it’s a new hobby. If you go to public spaces, there should not be any problems. You can ask the local town or council about where they could permit to magnet fishing. There may be places in waters where for various reasons it may be inappropriate to magnet fish.
Environmental considerations
There are, for example, fish or plants that may be sensitive to interference. There could be power cables or fish farms. Always take the utmost environmental considerations. There are many other places to go magnet fishing if one area is prohibited due to concern for the environment. If the water supply is private, you must, of course, get permission from the landowner.
