Magnet Fishing

hp468

hp468

Well-Known Member
Life Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
8,044
Location
Right side of The River
Rating - 100%
11   0   0
*Magnet fishing is Illegal in South Carolina, just a FYI.

Been meaning to start this thread for a while. There's been a number of things posted recently and some members seem to have an interest so lets do it.

Magnet fishing? Wutchu talkin bout Willis?

Well, you tie a rope to a big magnet and toss it off a bridge/dock/bank and drag it back in. Lots of videos on Youtube if your curious.

We been messing around with it for a while. Found all grades of things, guns, knives, tools, street signs, car parts, motorcycle frames, lawnmower parts, electronics, etc. There's no limit to the crap people toss off bridges. I'll get some pics and post some stuff we have found in this thread.

Currently, I have a Brute Boss and a Brute Dock buster (dock buster doesn't get used much), 100' of rope on each. Looking to try a clamp magnet soon as well.

If your looking to get into this hobby I would suggest picking up a smaller magnet to play around with initially (maybe 400-1000lb force range). The larger magnets are no joke and can easily injure you if your not careful. @Burt Gummer can attest to the strength of the Boss I have. There have been times we've had to hook ropes to the truck to drag things out or pull the magnets off of objects. They are NOT toys.

Our two most used magnets are these.
https://brutemagnetics.com/collecti...undle-includes-65-ft-1-4rope-and-threadlocker

brutemagnetics.com

Boss 360° 3500 lb

The Brute Boss: a powerful, high-performance reversible neodymium magnet with 360 degree pulling capability. Its stainless steel case offers maximum protection and it boasts a 200%+ increase in distance compared to single-sided magnets. Recommended for experienced magnet fishers with caution...
brutemagnetics.com brutemagnetics.com


Here are a few MFG sites that sell these. For starters I would recommend something in the 4-600 lb pull range.

brutemagnetics.com

Neodymium Fishing Magnets & Magnet Fishing Supplies | Brute Magnetics

Brute Magnetics is a leading retailer of premium neodymium fishing magnets, grappling hooks, gloves, carabiners and magnet fishing supplies/accessories. We have the strongest magnets; great for magnet fishing off of docks, boats, bridges and more.
brutemagnetics.com brutemagnetics.com
kratosmagnetics.com

Neodymium Fishing Magnets

Your one-stop magnet fishing shop
kratosmagnetics.com kratosmagnetics.com
centurionmagnetics.com

Magnet Fishing Kits & Fishing Magnet Gear | Centurion Magnetics™

Centurion Magnetics is the top provider of the best magnets for magnet fishing and all-in-one magnet fishing kits. This is your one stop shop for all your magnet fishing needs. Find more by using a Centurion Magnet. Free Shipping $50+ Orders. Gear up today.
centurionmagnetics.com centurionmagnetics.com

FYI I have no financial interest in any of the above companies.



Ok folks, discuss.
 
Last edited:
Hell with the motorcycle frames and small shit, he pulled up suitcase tractor weights. Tractor weights, yes you read that right, tractor weights.
 
fieldgrade said:
Guy and his grandson pulled up two Barrett 50 bmgs recently in Miami Dade. Serial numbers filed off.
Click to expand...
If I ever find something like that, there will never
Ever
EVER
be an article about it
 
Burt Gummer said:
If I ever find something like that, there will never
Ever
EVER
be an article about it
Click to expand...
They turned them in to the cops.

They were wrapped in plastic and hadn’t been in the water long.
 
Last edited:
fieldgrade said:
They turned them in to the cops.

They were wrapped in plastic and hadn’t been in the water long.
Click to expand...

Pretty sure they can raise serial numbers with acid, that may only be for stampings though. Hopefully they will be returned to their owners.

Finding firearms sucks, LE hasn't let me keep any i've had them run, regardless of stolen status. Really makes you question doing the "right" thing and getting things checked out.
 
Last edited:
charliesgrave said:
I've done it some inbetween actual metal detecting. Haven't ever found very much.

I think the trick is finding the right spot. Interstate bridges over Lake Norman, for example will probably net you some sketchy stuff. Most of the water around here is small creeks where you can see the bottom. I've tried a couple ponds and one old well, but nothing but some fishing hooks, nails, and nuts/bolts.
Click to expand...

Wells are interesting, I tried two casement wells recently 15-24" diameter. There were known tools that were dropped there years ago and found nothing. Not sure if the water table raising and lowering did something strange and caused things to settle down deep in the dirt or what.

Good practice to talk to locals and ask about known dumping sites. Old bridges outside of towns have been good spots for us. There are a couple farm ponds that have yielded some interesting finds as well.
 
When I was in my teens, I was helping my grandpa build a new dock. He had just purchased a brand new drill because he knocked his old one into the water. A few hours into the job, he kicked the new drill in the water then looked up and said, "you didn't see that."

Then we got in the van to go buy a new drill.

There's no telling how many drills and tools are in that slip.
 
I’ve put an anchor into stuff too heavy to lift, what do you do when the 1,000lb magnet locks onto an old school bus?
 
Burt Gummer said:
If I ever find something like that, there will never
Ever
EVER
be an article about it
Click to expand...
hp468 said:
Pretty sure they can raise serial numbers with acid, that may only be for stampings though. Hopefully they will be returned to their owners.

Finding firearms sucks, LE hasn't let me keep any i've had them run, regardless of stolen status. Really makes you question doing the "right" thing and getting things checked out.
Click to expand...

EVER
 
Burt Gummer said:
If I ever find something like that, there will never
Ever
EVER
be an article about it
Click to expand...
Reminds me of the couple in CA a few years back. Were planting a garden and dug up a coffee can with something like $38k in gold coins. Not sure what they were thinking, maybe 3 min of fame, but I’m sure they earned the opportunity to pay taxes on it.
 
So I'm not saying I came up with this, but I was magnet fishing before it was cool. Like 2008. I was dating a girl who's dad told me about a woman who ran her car off a bridge years ago down the road from their house, and the divers found all sorts of guns, motorcycles, mowers, etc and left it all because it was going to be a big headache. I got the bright idea to try and find those guns. All I ever found were a bunch of nails and one small gun safe that had been torched open. I'll try and find a picture of me with the safe. It took me and 5 friends to pull it up.
 
hp468 said:
Pretty sure they can raise serial numbers with acid, that may only be for stampings though. Hopefully they will be returned to their owners.

Finding firearms sucks, LE hasn't let me keep any i've had them run, regardless of stolen status. Really makes you question doing the "right" thing and getting things checked out.
Click to expand...

SN stamping causes the metal underneath to be a little more compressed than the surrounding metal. The acid eats the surrounding metal a little bit faster, so if the SN wasn't filed off deep enough, the SN comes out as a raised number instead of a stamped number.
I had to do it in a firearms ID class along with bullet matching. It was taught by a retired ATF agent who was clear on what works and what is tv/movie nonsense.
Also, phrases like "yup your grade depends on how well I filed these numbers off, but also how closely you watch your acid eating the metal away before you neutralize it"

There's also this other newer method I know nothing about
 
note - i remember at one point going out to a restaurant for drinks after classes with other students, the ex-atf, a retired swat cop, and having a couple drinks with them when one of the other students brought up the law about guns in bars while drinking. The ret. cop was like "uh... i assume we're all following the laws, and i'm not asking any questions about it". It was mostly people to young to get carry licenses taking elective CJ courses as part of an associate degree. I was just taking classes for fun as a slightly older person who DID have a carry license.
That cop was one of the good ones...
 
DrScaryGuy said:
SN stamping causes the metal underneath to be a little more compressed than the surrounding metal. The acid eats the surrounding metal a little bit faster, so if the SN wasn't filed off deep enough, the SN comes out as a raised number instead of a stamped number.
I had to do it in a firearms ID class along with bullet matching. It was taught by a retired ATF agent who was clear on what works and what is tv/movie nonsense.
Also, phrases like "yup your grade depends on how well I filed these numbers off, but also how closely you watch your acid eating the metal away before you neutralize it"

There's also this other newer method I know nothing about
Click to expand...



I have actually seen that done. Inspector from the DMV came to our shop cause we used to build trailers and had to serial number them. He wanted to try this out so we stamped a serial number on an I beam and then ground it off. It does work.
 
JimB said:
I’ve put an anchor into stuff too heavy to lift, what do you do when the 1,000lb magnet locks onto an old school bus?
Click to expand...
I expect you shouldn't be fishing with a 1000lb magnet without being able to lift 1000lbs. Sounds logical to me. 😛
 
Last edited:
JimB said:
I’ve put an anchor into stuff too heavy to lift, what do you do when the 1,000lb magnet locks onto an old school bus?
Click to expand...

You wrap the rope around the tow hook or hitch ball on the truck and pull. One of three things happens, the magnet comes off, the item comes up, or the rope breaks. We’ve not broken a rope yet.
 
Flashpoint said:
I expect you shouldn't be fishing with a 1000lb magnet without being able to lift 1000lbs. Sounds logical to me. 😛
Click to expand...
I was fishing for fish, boat anchor got wrapped up it steel cables. Eventually got it up enough to untangle, but it took 4 of us pulling. No idea what was on the other end of those cables, probably concrete. Just made me think of the question.

hp468 said:
You wrap the rope around the tow hook or hitch ball on the truck and pull. One of three things happens, the magnet comes off, the item comes up, or the rope breaks. We’ve not broken a rope yet.
Click to expand...
Makes sense, places accessible from land are probably most productive for this activity anyway.
 
Another fun thing I'll mention about magnet fishing; there was a bridge going to the power plant at hyco lake. Dead end road. The area was (maybe still is) frequented by teenagers who swim under the bridge and jump off the left side of it. I was once one of those teens and it was just a fun place for people to hang out, never any trouble.

Anyway, nobody ever jumped off the right side and nobody ever asked why. I guess it was just random luck. So one day I was magnet fishing this bridge and kept snagging something off the right side that I couldn't get up. I dropped a treble hook I'd made out of rebar, and got it. Turns out there was a steel cable about an inch in diameter running the length of the bridge about 6-8ft under the surface, and about 10 ft off the edge of the bridge. Suspended there via anchors on either side. The two friends I was with and I looked at each other with that "oh $#!#" look. If anyone had ever jumped off that side of the bridge they'd have probably been cut in half.
 
COLTIMPALA said:
Anyway, nobody ever jumped off the right side and nobody ever asked why. I guess it was just random luck. So one day I was magnet fishing this bridge and kept snagging something off the right side that I couldn't get up. I dropped a treble hook I'd made out of rebar, and got it. Turns out there was a steel cable about an inch in diameter running the length of the bridge about 6-8ft under the surface, and about 10 ft off the edge of the bridge. Suspended there via anchors on either side. The two friends I was with and I looked at each other with that "oh $#!#" look. If anyone had ever jumped off that side of the bridge they'd have probably been cut in half.
Click to expand...

One of the spots we frequent was at one time a very popular swimming hole and folks regularly jumped (and they may still) from the bridge into the water. Can tell you right now that the chance of me EVER jumping off a bridge into a river/lake is exactly zero with the things we have drug out. No shortage of things to be impaled by.

dman24 said:
We have tossed a magnet around Jordan Lake and Harris Lake a little bit. Haven’t had any luck.
Click to expand...

I've seen people throwing them around one of the bridges at Jordan. We've been planning on hitting the docks/ramp at some point. What kind of magnet you throwing?
 
Hey guys, I just got my first real fishing magnet for xmas and I have not used it yet. Since it is warmer out now I was thinking about going this weekend. I have a crazy big rare earth magnet with 550 cord that digs into my hands (I do not always wear gloves) when pulling heavy stuff up so I do not want to use anymore of that. My new magnet is a 2600lb double sided magnet. I was at Academy today and felt some nice 3/8” x 75’ diamond braided polypropylene that has a safe working limit of 290lb. Do you guys think it would be ok to use this line for my new magnet?
 
Last edited:
hp468 said:
One of the spots we frequent was at one time a very popular swimming hole and folks regularly jumped (and they may still) from the bridge into the water. Can tell you right now that the chance of me EVER jumping off a bridge into a river/lake is exactly zero with the things we have drug out. No shortage of things to be impaled by.



I've seen people throwing them around one of the bridges at Jordan. We've been planning on hitting the docks/ramp at some point. What kind of magnet you throwing?
Click to expand...
If magnet fishing is illegal in SC based on things underwater, how is diving for artifacts legal? People dive in the Pee Dee River around Cheraw and Society Hill all the time. Lots of neat stuff found.
 
Etruett said:
If magnet fishing is illegal in SC based on things underwater, how is diving for artifacts legal? People dive in the Pee Dee River around Cheraw and Society Hill all the time. Lots of neat stuff found.
Click to expand...

From the link above, SC will issue permits to gather a limited number of items, there are restrictions on what can and cannot be gathered. A magnet cannot tell the difference between a historical artifact that needs to remain as is and a street sign/gun.

Those divers are select cutting a tree or two here and there. I’m running a D10 through the forest.
 
I promised ya'll pics and let ya down. Rearranging and taking inventory of river junk. Were now up to 3 Harley frames, a bagger frame was added recently, cut/raked neck, and custom frame work. No pic of that one, haven't had time to try to ID the VIN to have it checked. Lots of other misc metal crap, i'm planning on organizing/cleaning off some of it in the next few days so I'll snap some more pics.

Anyway, here's a pic of the current sign collection and a few of the small weights I held on to, there's a few more signs but they are currently being used of misc things. We still have a huge pile of sign posts, saving them for an unknown reason. The other suitcase weights @Burt Gummer mentioned have all been sold. We recently hauled off over a ton of misc scrap metal (95% of it river steel). Old timer told me the DOT sign crews used to just throw the old ones in the river when they needed to be replaced/moved rather than bringing them back to the shop. Who knows, wont be long I can shingle the house with em.


1653513438779.png
 
Burt Gummer said:
Hell with the motorcycle frames and small shit, he pulled up suitcase tractor weights. Tractor weights, yes you read that right, tractor weights.
Click to expand...

I missed this earlier. Link to sale thread on tractor weights?


ETA: just read that you have sold them all. Keep me in mind for the next ones?
 
Last edited:
hp468 said:
I promised ya'll pics and let ya down. Rearranging and taking inventory of river junk. Were now up to 3 Harley frames, a bagger frame was added recently, cut/raked neck, and custom frame work. No pic of that one, haven't had time to try to ID the VIN to have it checked. Lots of other misc metal crap, i'm planning on organizing/cleaning off some of it in the next few days so I'll snap some more pics.

Anyway, here's a pic of the current sign collection and a few of the small weights I held on to, there's a few more signs but they are currently being used of misc things. We still have a huge pile of sign posts, saving them for an unknown reason. The other suitcase weights @Burt Gummer mentioned have all been sold. We recently hauled off over a ton of misc scrap metal (95% of it river steel). Old timer told me the DOT sign crews used to just throw the old ones in the river when they needed to be replaced/moved rather than bringing them back to the shop. Who knows, wont be long I can shingle the house with em.


View attachment 477467
Click to expand...
If a motorcycle frame comes back stolen is there some sort of time where you cal lay claim like an abandoned car?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom