Fishing Magnet – Ultimate Guide to the Best Options

Neodymium magnets are the way to go for magnet fishing, but they are not all the same.

Don’t waste your money on magnets that will rust quickly or fail to haul in your treasures.

The following guide will walk you through the best choices that will live up to your expectations and provide the strength you need to bring your discoveries to the surface.

If you’re starting from scratch, I’d say to go with the Muscular Magnetics 1,225-Pound Kit.

You’ll have everything you need to get started immediately and a powerful magnet capable of pulling up practically anything you find.

Best One-Sided Fishing Magnets 

MaxMagnets 1,000-Pound Fishing Magnet

For most people, this fishing magnet has plenty of pulling power, with approximately 1,200 pounds of pulling capacity.

Covered with a triple layer of special nickel-copper-nickel coating to protect against chips and scrapes, this magnet is built to last.

One of the best features is the locking washer for the eyebolt, though you may still want to apply some threadlocker (like Loctite Red) before your first excursion to ensure you don’t lose the magnet after several tosses.

Pros:

• Very strong magnet.
• Well constructed with protective covering.
• Thicker than many other magnets.

Cons:

• Heavy – over 5 pounds.
• Eyebolt may become loose after repeated uses.

Anti-Snag Cone Fishing Magnet

While most fishing magnets are unadorned and can become stuck on underwater branches and rocks, this magnet is encased in a yellow plastic cone to glide easily over submerged obstacles and minimize snags.

This cone magnet has a 600-pound pull force, perfect for beginners and children but still strong enough for those with more experience.

Pros:

• Easier to maneuver through the water than traditional fishing magnets.
• Weighs 1.9 pounds.
• Easy to attach to a rope.

Cons:

• Rope and carabiner are not included.
• May rust quickly if used in saltwater.

Best Double-Sided Fishing Magnets 

Brute Magnetics 800-Pound Double-Sided Magnet

What’s really nice about this magnet is the fact that the eyebolt can be attached to the side for use as a double-sided magnet or to the top for use as a one-sided magnet.

You’re really getting two magnets in one! Each side provides approximately 400 pounds of pull force for a combined total of 800 pounds of power. 

Pros:

• Includes two eyebolts and threadlocker.
• Magnet is covered with a protective coating.
• Can be used for dragging the water’s bottom or for drop-and-retrieve fishing.

Cons:

• Not as powerful as a one-sided magnet with the same pull force.
• Some users claim the item arrived damaged.

Wukong 1,700-Pound Double-Sided Magnet

This is one powerful magnet with each side boasting 850 pounds of pulling force for a total of 1,700 combined force.

With a 3.7-inch diameter and a triple layer finish, this magnet is perfect for drag-style magnet fishing.

At under four pounds, it’s easy to toss into the water, but don’t let the lightweight fool you – it has plenty of pulling power.

Pros:

• Strong for its size.
• Rust-resistant coating.
• Lightweight.

Cons:

• Can be difficult to pry off of flat surfaces.
• Eyebolt only attaches to the side.

Best Extra-Strong Fishing Magnets 

Brute Magnetics 2,100-Pound Fishing Magnet

This monster is a one-sided magnet designed to be dropped straight down and for pulling in large, heavy objects.

The 2,100-pound pull force ensures you have all the power you need.

It’s covered in a protective coating for durability and boasts a huge surface area (7.09 inches across) for maximum effectiveness.

An eyebolt, locking washers, and a bottle of threadlocker are included.

Pros:

• Super strong magnet.
• Large – more than 7 inches in diameter.
• Terrific customer service and magnet is 100% guaranteed.

Cons:

• Not for beginners.
• Too heavy to toss easily – weighs more than 9 pounds.

Brute Magnetics 2,600-Pound Fishing Magnet

This double-sided magnet has a whopping 2,600-pound pull force. No need to worry that your magnet is too weak when you’re using this beast.

Made of high-quality neodymium and covered with a steel casing to prevent chips and delay rust formation, this heavy-duty magnet is ideal for the serious magnet fisher. 

Pros:

• Incredibly strong.
• Comes with two eyelets.
• Each side has a pull force of 1,300 pounds.
• Eyelet can be mounted on the top or side of the magnet.

Cons:

• Too powerful for children to use.
• May be very difficult to remove from large objects, such as cars or bridge supports.
• Magnet is heavy (over 7 pounds).

*Note that fishing magnets of these strengths will require ropes of comparable strengths. 

Best Fishing Magnet Kits 

Muscular Magnetics 1,225-Pound Double-Sided Magnet Fishing Bundle

For those dreaming of finding large, heavy treasures or just wanting to have some extra strength available, this heavy-duty kit is the one to get.

It includes a double-sided magnet with over 600 pounds of pull force on each side (1,225 pounds combined) and a grappling hook, but that’s not all.

You’ll also get a 6-millimeter high-strength nylon rope (100 feet long), water-resistant gloves, tape to boost durability, threadlocker, and a carabiner.

The included free ebook walks you through the basics, and customer service goes above and beyond to help with any issues, including advising how to free a stuck magnet. 

Pros: 

• Everything needed to get started.
• Superior customer support.
• Strong, quality parts.
• 1,225 combined pull force.
• Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.

Cons:

• Carabiner may impede dragging when eyebolt is attached to the side.
• Gloves could be improved.

Muscular Magnetics 625 Pound Double-Sided Magnet Fishing Kit

This all-in-one set is perfect for kids and those who aren’t necessarily looking for large, heavy hauls.

You’ll receive a double-sided magnet with a combined pull force of 625 pounds (over 300 pounds per side), a carabiner, water-resistant gloves, tape to prevent rope snagging, a 6-millimeter high-strength nylon rope, threadlocker, and a free ebook guide.

Pros:

• Complete kit.
• Excellent customer service.
• Great size and weight for children.
• Fully guaranteed.

Cons:

• No grappling included.
• Some users have been disappointed with the magnet’s strength.

More Magnet Fishing Supplies 

Best Rope for Magnet Fishing

LSR Loreso

This reinforced polyester rope is specially designed for strength and durability and won’t kink even when wet.

The reinforced loop adds security when attached to the included carabiner so you won’t have to worry about losing your magnet.

The 8-millimeter-thick rope is 65 feet long, has a tensile strength of 1,200 pounds, which is more than enough for magnet fishing.

This braided rope is resistant to rot, UV light, chemicals, mildew, and tears and is perfect for retrieving both small and large objects from the water.

Pros:

• Moderately soft to the touch to prevent rope burns and cut hands.
• Super strong.
• Comes with two locking carabiners.

Cons: 

• Some users found the reinforced loop and carabiners to be too small.

Best Grappling Hook for Magnet Fishing

Ant Mag

With four saw-toothed claws, you’ll have all the help you need when pulling in heavy hauls.

Made of rust-resistant stainless steel and able to collapse with a simple twisting motion, this grappling hook is convenient to pack and durable enough to handle items up to 440 pounds. 

Pros:

• Weighs less than 2 pounds.
• Includes 65-foot, black, 8-millimeter nylon rope and carabiner.
• Four-hook design increases chances of securing sunken items.

Cons:

• Rope quality may not meet your expectations. 

Best Gloves for Magnet Fishing 

Dex Fit Level 5

Nonslip grip. Breathable. Cell phone compatible. Protects against cuts and punctures. Lightweight with a second-skin feeling. No shifting. This pair of gloves has it all.

Especially nice is the nitrile coating on the palms and fingertips to provide you with reliable grip when you’re handling your fishing finds.

Pros:

• Good ventilation and slim design.
• Made with Kevlar and spandex for protection and comfort.
• Allows you to handle sharp metal without impeding movement.

Cons:

• Not 100% cut proof.

Buyer’s Guide

When it comes to magnet fishing, not any magnet will do.

You want a high-quality neodymium magnet that provides enough pulling force for your needs without being more than you bargained for.

There are a few considerations to mull over before you decide to purchase.

Pulling Force

For newbies, a magnet with a pulling force between 500 and 800 pounds is recommended. This range is also just right for shallow and/or slow-moving water.

For those with more experience, those wanting to snag really big objects, and for deep or strong-current water, a magnet with a pull force of 1,000 pounds or more is suitable.

Generally you want a magnet with greater pulling force than you anticipate ever needing.

One-Sided or Double-Sided Magnet

One-sided magnets are ideal for dropping straight down into the water or for tossing short distances.

They have the advantages of pulling objects perpendicularly (creating a stronger bond), being lighter, and having concentrated power on one side.

However, they often tip to one side when dragged, thus reducing the odds of finding items, and they can snag on debris.

Two-sided magnets are ideal for dragging and don’t snag nearly as easily. They have pulling force on both the top and bottom, so it doesn’t matter if they flip when in the water.

However, they tend to be heavier and often aren’t as strong as one-sided magnets because the total pull force is divided between the top and bottom.

For beginners, a one-sided magnet is usually the best bet.