THE ULTIMATE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO MAGNET FISHING

If you’re just getting into magnet fishing, welcome to the adventure! Magnet fishing is one of the easiest (and most addictive) ways to explore the outdoors, clean up your local waterways, and maybe even find something crazy hidden under the surface. Whether you want to go treasure hunting with the kids or dive head-first into the hobby, this guide will walk you through the best magnet fishing gear, the spots to try, and how to stay safe.

What Magnet Fishing Actually Is

Magnet fishing is simple: throw a strong magnet made for magnet fishing into a lake, canal, or river, drag it along the bottom, and pull up whatever metal it grabs. You never know if you’ll find coins, tools, old locks, bikes, or even safes. Think of it as treasure hunting but with a magnet instead of a metal detector. And best of all, anyone can do it! Families, kids, total beginners or pro’s … everyone.

The Best Magnet for Beginners

If you’re using cheap magnets, you’ll get frustrated fast. They’re usually weak, break easily, and don’t pull up much.

For all magnet fishers, the best choice is a 360° magnet. These magnets attract metal from all sides, so you’ll catch more treasure that’s sitting around the magnet, not just directly under it. They’re super fun to use and give you the best chance of finding something exciting on every throw.

If you're magnet fishing with kids or trying the hobby for the first time, smaller options like our Nugget Magnet or Jackpot Magnet are awesome. They’re easy to handle, still strong, and less likely to get stuck.

Where to Go: Finding the Best Spots

You can start anywhere you have safe public water, but some places produce better finds. Try:

Hotspots

• Old bridges
• Canal paths
• City centre canals
• Docks and harbours
• Busy parks with water
• Fishing platforms
• Places with lots of foot or bike traffic

Pro tip: If you love history, old city maps can show forgotten docks or old river paths… treasure heaven!

What You Can Expect to Find

Part of the fun is not knowing what’s coming up next. You can expect things like:

• Coins
• Tools
• Bikes and scooters, sometimes even a motorbike!
• Safes (they show up more often than you think)
• Mystery metal blobs or even non-magnetic stuff

Most of what you pull up will probably be metal junk, which is great, because you’re cleaning the environment while hunting for treasure. And here’s a bonus: you can take your metal to a scrap yard and earn some cash!

Essential Gear (Besides the Magnet)

You don’t need a lot to start magnet fishing, but having the right treasure hunting gear makes your life way easier:

• A strong rope
• Gloves (trust us on this one)
• A bucket
• A grappling hook

If you want the easiest start possible, you can grab a complete magnet fishing kit, which has everything you need.

Safety Tips for Beginners

Magnet fishing is safe, but a few simple habits make it easier and more fun:

• Always wear gloves
• Avoid standing too close to the edge
• Stay away from strong currents or deep water
• Never try to pull up dangerous items
• Contact local authorities if you find weapons or anything suspicious
• Keep a good distance from other magnet fishers.
• Always store your magnet and grappling hook properly when not in use.

Final Tip: Have Fun With It

Magnet fishing is supposed to be exciting, fun and full of surprises. Don’t worry about finding treasure every time but enjoy the adventure, the cleanup, and the mystery. With the best magnet fishing gear and a few good spots, your first day out could be unforgettable.

If you want more tips, guides, or stories from the Bondi Treasure Hunter himself, check out our other blogs and social media. And when you're ready to upgrade your kit… well, you know where to find us.

Magnets away!