Magnet fishing is an awesome hobby. It’s exciting, active, a bit crazy at times, and every day feels like a treasure hunt. Most of the time you’ll find harmless stuff: old tools, nails, bikes, scrap metal, safes… the usual magnet fishing treasures.

But every now and then, someone pulls up something a bit more unexpected.
Dangerous finds are rare, but they do happen, especially depending on which country you’re magnet fishing in. And that’s exactly why it’s good to know what to do, just in case.

This guide isn’t here to scare anyone. Magnet fishing is still super safe and fun. We just want to make sure you’re prepared, confident, and know how to handle those “uhhhh… what is this?!” moments.

If you’re new to the hobby, check out our Magnet Fishing Beginners Guide for all the basics.

How to Recognise a Potentially Dangerous Find

You don’t have to be an expert.
If you ever pull something up and think:

• “Is this safe?”
• “Is this a weapon?”
• “Is this some kind of explosive?”
• “Could this be something dangerous?”

Then treat it as potentially dangerous. It’s better to be cautious for a minute than to take a risk.

What to Do if You Find Something Dangerous

This is the most important part, and it’s super simple:

1. Leave the item on the magnet
Do not try to pull it off.
Do not hit it, shake it, or inspect it too closely.
The safest place for a dangerous object is still attached to your magnet, because it isn’t moving around.

2. Slowly lower the magnet back into the water
Underwater is the safest place it can be right now.
Don’t throw it back, gently lower it down if possible.
Water adds a natural layer of protection.

3. Call the authorities
Every country has its own contact number, but your local police or emergency services will always know what to do.

Tell them:

• where you are
• that you’re magnet fishing
• that you found something that might be dangerous
• that it’s safely underwater

They’ll send the right team. They deal with old weapons, explosives, and suspicious items all the time. They know exactly how to handle it.

While waiting for authorities to arrive keep the area free from people.

Why It’s So Important

Magnet fishers around the world occasionally find:

• guns
• old ammunition
• grenades
• WW2 relics
• strange metal objects nobody recognises that might be dangerous

Most of these are harmless by the time we find them, but not always.
So doing the right thing keeps you, your friends, and everyone around you safe.

And if you’re wondering which magnet is best for you, our Which Magnet Should I Use? guide explains everything clearly.

You Might Even Help Solve a Crime

Believe it or not, magnet fishers have helped solve real cases:

• weapons tossed into canals
• evidence thrown into rivers
• items linked to burglaries or other crimes

So if you ever find a weapon - even a rusty old one - reporting it might actually help someone. Pretty amazing for a day out throwing magnets, right? And the best part is, you’ll still have an amazing story to tell!

Magnet Fishing Is Still a Safe & Amazing Hobby

Don’t let this put you off. Dangerous finds are rare, and most magnet fishers never discover anything like that at all.

But knowing what to do means:

• you’re prepared
• you stay safe
• you can keep enjoying the hobby with confidence

And that’s what we want! Safe, fun adventures, awesome finds, and good stories to tell later.

If you’re looking for strong magnets made for magnet fishing, our complete magnet fishing kits are a great starting point.

Stay safe, have fun, and Magnets Away!