I Pulled a Safe Out of a River With My Magnet
The Click of a Lifetime
I was magnet fishing off a bridge in a sketchy part of town. I had been pulling up the usual nails and bottle caps. Then, my magnet hit something big. And flat. It was heavy. I spent an hour slowly and carefully working it to the shore. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was a small, heavy, and very rusty personal safe. It was locked. It was one of the most exciting and mysterious moments of my life. I never got it open, but the thrill of pulling a literal safe from the bottom of a river was the ultimate treasure-hunting rush.
The Most Insane Things I’ve Found While Magnet Fishing
A River’s Lost and Found
I thought magnet fishing would just be a lot of rusty nails. I was so wrong. Over the past year, I have pulled up some truly insane things from my local rivers and canals: a full, unopened can of beer from the 1980s, a vintage bicycle, a handful of old tools, a shopping cart, and even a (sadly, empty) cash register drawer. It’s a fascinating and bizarre hobby that gives you a glimpse into the secret, discarded history of a place.
How to Choose the Right Magnet for Magnet Fishing (It’s Not Just Strength)
The Single-Sided vs. The Double-Sided
When I started magnet fishing, I thought I just needed the strongest magnet possible. I learned that the type of magnet is more important. A “single-sided” magnet is best for dropping straight down from a bridge or a dock. A “double-sided” magnet is much better for casting out and dragging along the bottom of a river, as it has a much larger magnetic field. Choosing the right type of magnet for the environment you are fishing in is the key to maximizing your finds.
The One Knot You Must Use So You Don’t Lose Your Magnet
The Palomar Knot is Your Lifeline
My powerful neodymium magnet is the most expensive part of my magnet fishing kit. The thought of my knot coming undone and losing my magnet in the river was my biggest fear. I learned that the one knot that is universally trusted by fishermen for its strength and reliability is the “Palomar Knot.” It’s a simple, easy-to-tie knot that is incredibly strong and will not slip. Tying this one knot correctly is the most important skill in magnet fishing.
The Best (And Safest) Places to Go Magnet Fishing
The Old Bridges and the Busy Piers
The best places to go magnet fishing are the places where people and water have been interacting for a long time. Old, historic bridges are a goldmine for old relics and dropped items. Busy fishing piers and boat launches are great for finding lost tools and fishing gear. The most important thing is to choose a spot that is safe, with easy access to the water’s edge, and to be aware of your surroundings.
I Found a Stolen Bicycle and Returned It to its Owner
From the Canal to the Community
I was magnet fishing in a local canal and my magnet stuck to something huge. It was a full-sized bicycle. I managed to pull it out. It was a nice, modern bike. I took it to the local police station. They were able to look up the serial number, and it turned out the bike had been reported stolen a few months earlier. They were able to contact the owner, and I got to see the look on their face when they were reunited with their stolen bike. It was an incredible feeling to have my weird hobby result in a genuinely good deed.
How to Clean Your Rusted Magnet Fishing Finds
The Vinegar Bath
Most of the things you find magnet fishing will be covered in a thick layer of rust. I learned the easiest and cheapest way to clean them is a simple vinegar bath. I just submerge my rusty finds in a bucket of plain white vinegar and let them soak for a day or two. The acetic acid in the vinegar gently dissolves the rust without damaging the metal underneath. After a good scrub with a wire brush, the original details of the object are revealed.
The “Grappling Hook” Attachment Every Magnet Fisher Needs
For the Things That Aren’t Magnetic
I would often feel my magnet bump into large, interesting objects on the bottom of the river that weren’t magnetic, like aluminum bicycles or wooden crates. I learned that many magnet fishers also carry a “grappling hook” on a separate rope. The magnet is for finding the metal, but the grappling hook is the tool you use to retrieve the large, heavy, or non-magnetic treasures that the magnet can’t lift on its own. It’s an essential part of the toolkit.
The Most Disappointing Thing About Magnet Fishing
The Bottle Cap Heartbreak
There is no feeling in magnet fishing more disappointing than the “bottle cap heartbreak.” You’ll be dragging your magnet, and you’ll feel a strong, promising “click.” Your heart will race. You’ll think you’ve found a coin, a piece of jewelry, or a relic. You’ll eagerly pull up your magnet, and stuck to the end will be a single, rusty, worthless bottle cap. It’s a universal and comically frustrating experience that every magnet fisher knows all too well.
Is Magnet Fishing Legal? The Rules You Need to Know
It’s a Gray Area
The legality of magnet fishing is a bit of a gray area and can vary from place to place. In most places, it is legal as long as you are not on private property without permission. However, if you find something that could be considered a historical artifact, there may be laws about who it belongs to. And if you find a weapon or something that could be evidence of a crime, you are legally required to report it to the police. The number one rule is to be a good steward: always pack out any trash you find.