Hooking an immovable object doesn’t always mean you’re magnet is a goner, it’s better to not take the risk. If you do get your magnet stuck, it can be very frustrating. Don’t sweat it. It happens to everyone eventually, but we have a few tips to help you get unstuck and retrieve your magnet, saving it for another day of magnet fishing!
Keep known obstacles in mind
Just like any other life situation, it’s important to know your surroundings while magnet fishing. The issue with magnet fishing, is that you can’t see underwater. You will have to think about the body of water. Use logic and hope for luck. If you know there’s a vehicle submerged, then avoid it. Be careful around stumps and roots. If you’re magnet fishing in a canal or industrial water body, then make sure to stay away from metal grates, gates, locks, etc.
The Rope
Get a good rope!
With magnet fishing, it’s very easy to get caught up on the magnet and forget about the rope. The rope is just as important! Most kits come with a cheap, weak rope that will snap the first time you find something. There’s no point in having a 1,000 lb fishing magnet when your rope only has a tensile strength of half that. Make sure to get a thick braided rope. Paracord works OK but we recommend a braided nylon rope. There is no fiber stronger than nylon, and they are resistant to rot and mildew. Polypropylene ropes are also great for magnet fishing. They will never rot and they float!
Rope Maintenance
A rope is only as strong as it’s weakest point. You want to make sure your rope isn’t rotted or cut. If you do choose to use a cotton paracord, make sure to wring it out when you are done using it, and store it in a dry place. The same goes for nylon ropes. They are rot resistant but not rot proof. Polypropylene ropes are completely water proof. The only thing to know about them is that they should not be stored in direct sunlight. this can create a chalking effect as the UV rays can damage the material and cause the rope to become brittle.
Check Your Knots
I would be willing to bet that more magnets are lost due to improper knots than anything else combined. Make sure your knot is snug and free of debris. Sometimes rope tends to start to wither and fray at the knot due to concentrated stresses. If this happens, cut the rope just above the knot and tie another one. Check the knot each throw and give it a strong tug to make sure it’s tight.
Depending on what type of rope you have, you may choose different knots. Make sure you are using the correct knot for your rope style. You can visit our knot guide HERE (coming soon), if you need some pointers.
Pulling Technique
Pulling Speed
Normally when you grab something, it’s a good idea not to jerk, but to slowly pull in your loot. Jerking can cause the magnet to break away and does put stresses in the rope over time. It could result in your rope snapping or the knot coming untied. This might be worth the risk though, if your magnet is stuck. A quick jerk may be exactly what you need. The goal is to get your magnet to break away so that you’re able to retrieve it.
Pulling Direction
If the magnets not budging try pulling it from the side. You may need to walk around the perimeter of the water, if you can. Pulling from different angles can help to life an adge of the magnet so that it will release. You may also be easier to dislodge a large item that you’ve found.
If the maget is hung up, rather than magnetically locked, then you may try a small series of rapid, irratic jerks and tugs. Don’t be scared to out a little elbow grease in.
Still no luck? Don’t worry. We will have to break into the magnet fishing tool kit.
Tools
Gloves
Get a food pair or gloves. Not only are they good for safety, saving your hands from rope burnz they will also allow a much better grip. When wrapping the rope around your hand, the extra padding from the glove will allow much more pressure before it hurts your hand.
Wench
Now we’re talking power! This may not be a feasable option for everyone, but if you want to be a pro you have to be equipped to handle it all.
Seriously though. If you do have a small wench laying around, it couldn’t hurt. Even if you’re not stuck, you could use a wench to pull up heavy items without breaking a sweat.
There’s lots of inexpensive wenches on the market these days. Make sure to get one that is transportable.
Backup Magnet
Every battle cannot be won. Sometimes you just have to cut your losses and move on. Like anything you throw into nature, nature might just take it.
Sometimes you lose them. It happens to us all. That’s why it’s always good to have an extra magnet on hand so your magnet fishing isn’t ruined. Simply cut the rope and tie it on to the new magnet. You may need to use a new rope as well, if you lose to much length.
Warning. There are some things to keep in mind when handling multiple neodymium magnets. Keep them separate. It’s a general safety rule to only handle one magnet at a time, and do not get them too close. They will leap for your hands and snap together with high force. This could badly injure a body part if it gets caught between them. Snapping together in mid air could cause shards or slivers to break away. Please be careful!
We recommend using a hard plastic, foam lined case to keep the magnets in. This will prevent them from coming in contact with one another, and also help to maintain them.