Magnet Fishing with the MIKEDE Double Sided Magnet

It seems like the pandemic changed how we enjoyed outdoor activities and how we adjusted to the “next normal”. I was intrigued by outdoor enthusiasts in urban areas starting to explore what lies beneath in the form of magnet fishing. Our lakes, rivers and streams have been intentional and accidental dumping grounds for centuries. And one person’s junk or misfortune can be another’s entertainment. I watched a few videos and saw a news story about magnet fishing. So, I decided to jump in and give it a try.

I ordered the MIKEDE Fishing Magnet starter set from Amazon and awaited the lake ice to thaw. The kit arrived with a hefty 1300 pound pulling magnet with two different mounting locations. 65 feet of rope, a carabiner to attach the line, thread lock, gloves, plumbers tape and a hard plastic squeegee. The plastic tool is for prying your magnet from anything you pick up. (Pro-Tip; use a plastic bucket to haul your kit with you, the magnet is very strong and easily attaches to anything metal like fence posts, dock posts and ironwork, your vehicle etc).

Magnet Fishing Demo Video:

I unpacked the MIKEDE kit and assembled the magnet using the side mount for throwing and dragging on a lake bottom. The top mount is preferred for dropping from a bridge and letting the current take the magnet down stream. One minor con in this process is the cap on the thread lock just fell off when trying to apply it. I suggest you assemble the kit on a newspaper or trash bag. The gloves are one size fits all, very thin and soak up water. I highly recommend that you use waterfowl gloves if the water is cold. The rope soaks up the water and you eventually end up standing in a puddle if you aren’t careful.

Another tip is to make sure that you secure the end of the line to something sturdy. I’ve seen people tie off to their leg but throwing a big magnet off a bridge with the other end tied to your body doesn’t seem like the best anchor point. I chose the armrest on my dock bench as an anchor. I did watch a news story where someone forgot to tie off and launched the magnet into the water on the first throw. A wasted trip for sure.

Educate yourself on the history of your area.

Researching the history of my lake, I learned that Al Capone and other notorious characters frequented this area for decades. So, upon my first cast, I envisioned a cash box or seriously corroded treasure. No luck, three casts and only retrieved a few nails and an old chunk of tin.  Working the magnet in a clock like fashion starting at noon and worked clockwise. The magnet did pick up some sediment and weeds, which is easily cleaned off.  Like with conventional fishing, you must give the magnet time to sink to the bottom.

There are many similar kits out there, another good addition would be to have a grappling hook handy for larger items to drag up on sandy bottoms.  Some of the other kits also include this.  If you are serious about helping to clean up our waterways and leave no trace, the bucket serves as a portable treasure/trash receptacle as well as a carrying case for your kit.

Final Thoughts:

All-in-all, the MIKEDE Fishing Magnet Kit performed just as I envisioned. And for only $39.95 on Amazon, anyone can afford to give this a try. There were no instructions shipped with the order, but there are numerous videos that show different techniques and methods. When the fish aren’t biting, this gives you something else to pass the time on the lake or river. Several recent stories show treasures being pulled out of bodies of water using fishing magnets.

I can only hope that my summer will bring some memorable catch to write about later. As always, check your connections and condition of your equipment before each quest to ensure it is sound and not going to let you down. Good Luck!

About the Author: Vince Restucci enlisted in the Army right out of high school. After Basic Training and AIT, he attended WORWAC flight school becoming a Chief Warrant Officer and medevac helicopter pilot. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, Vince enjoys hunting, fishing and watersports on the lake with his wife and three golden retrievers. He is also passionate about farming and modern agriculture.