Best Magnets for Fishing: 8 Picks Compared

28 min read

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The short answer

For someone new to magnet fishing, look at the Magnetar 440 lb Starter Kit, a single-sided magnet in a steel housing that its maker designed for beginners and supervised younger users; for a double-sided kit with 100 ft of rope, the Dazakoot 1320 lb Double-Sided Kit; and for experienced magnet fishers, the Magnetar Beast 3100 lb 360 Kit, a 360-degree magnet that comes with a protective cover. The other five cover a compact double-sided kit, a large cup magnet, a three-sided block, a double-sided kit with a case and a second 360-degree kit.

Our verdict

Fishing Magnets: Top Picks at a Glance

Magnet fishing means tying a strong neodymium magnet to a rope, throwing or lowering it into water and seeing what metal comes back. The hardware is simple, but the listings are not: pull-force numbers sit on different bases, some kits include gloves and a grappling hook and some do not, and a rating given for flat, clean steel is not a promise about mud and rust. This guide compares eight kits from seven brands that are stocked on Amazon, each linked as one specific kit and rating, with every figure attributed to the maker’s page or the maker’s Amazon listing.

Read the safety notes before you buy. Strong neodymium magnets can pinch skin hard, can affect pacemakers and electronics, and are not toys; the makers and safety pages we read say so, and we quote them below. Whether and where you may magnet fish differs by place and water, and this guide makes no legal claims, so check with the local authority or the owner of the water or bank. New to the waterside? Our bass fishing tips for beginners cover the angling basics.

Magnet finder

Find a fishing magnet for how you fish

Pick what you need it for and what you want to spend. The suggestion is our editorial starting point, drawn from the eight products below, not a test result.

How will you fish?
Price tier

Tiers are relative to the kits in this guide; live prices are in the comparison table below.

Compare the picks

Compare the Eight Fishing Magnet Kits

All eight side by side. “Rated pull” is each maker’s own figure for the linked kit, not a measurement of ours, and the “Pull basis” column says what the maker or listing says about how the figure is counted; “not stated” means the pages we read do not say. Because the bases differ and most are unstated, do not read the ratings as a ranking of real-world performance.

FINDMAG 1000 LBS Fishing Magnet Kit, 2.95 Inch Double Sided…FINDMAG 1000 lb Double-Sided KitCompact Double-Sided KitBank draggingDouble-sided1000 lb total$27.99
Linked model2.95 in (75 mm) dia., 25 mm thick
Pull basis500 lb per side (listing); method not stated
Rope in kit65 ft; strength not published

Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test

VNDUEEY 1500LBS Magnet Fishing 4.72"Neodymium Fishing…VNDUEEY 1500 lb KitLarge Cup Magnet KitBridge dropsCup magnet1500 lb$27.99
Linked model4.72 in dia., 3.15 in high (listing)
Pull basis"Ideal conditions" (listing); method not stated
Rope in kit65 ft; strength not published

Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test

Dazakoot 1320lb Double Side Magnet Fishing Kit, Strong…Dazakoot 1320 lb Double-Sided KitDouble-Sided 100 ft KitBank draggingDouble-sided1320 lb$45.99
Linked model3 in (75 mm) dia., 32 mm thick
Pull basisPer side or total not stated
Rope in kit100 ft, 2 locking carabiners; strength not published

Evidence: owner reports, no independent test

Magnetar - Fishing Magnet Set for Kids and Starters…Magnetar 440 lb Starter KitSingle-Sided Starter KitNew hobbyists, bridge dropsSingle-sided440 lb$69.99
Linked modelClassic 200, 364 g, 15 mm high
Pull basisIdeal conditions, flat clean metal, full contact (maker)
Rope in kit65 ft, 6 mm; rated to 1587 lb (listing)

Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test

MUTUACTOR Three Sides Fishing Magnet Kit Strong Powerful…MUTUACTOR 1500 lb Three-Sided KitThree-Sided Block KitRivers, pondsThree-sided1500 lb total$54.99
Linked model1.7 x 2.7 x 1.4 in block (variation label)
Pull basis3 x 500 lb vertical, no gap (listing)
Rope in kit65 ft; strength not published

Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test

Magnetpro 2000LB's Complete Double Sided Fishing Magnet Kit…Magnetpro 2000 lb Double-Sided KitDouble-Sided Case KitBank draggingDouble-sided2000 lb total$59.99
Linked modelSize not published
Pull basis1000 lb each side (listing); method not published
Rope in kit65 ft; carabiners 1940 lb tensile (listing)

Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test

3600lb Magnet Fishing Kit Complete 360 Degree Set | N52…Platinum 3600 lb 360 Kit360-Degree Rope KitBank dragging, bridge drops360-degree3600 lb$159.99
Linked modelSize not published
Rope in kit65 ft, 10 mm; strength not published

Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test

Magnetar Magnet Fishing Kit - 3100 Lb Fishing Magnet 360…Magnetar Beast 3100 lb 360 Kit360-Degree Cover KitBridges, harbors, deep water360-degree3100 lb total$319.99
Linked modelBeast, 50 mm high, 4.1 lb
Pull basis4 faces x 770 lb (maker)
Rope in kit65 ft, 10 mm; rated to 4409 lb (listing)

Evidence: owner reports, no independent test

Prices as of Nov 4, 09:51 UTC

Detailed Reviews of the Eight Fishing Magnet Kits

FINDMAG 1000 lb Double-Sided Kit, Compact Double-Sided Kit

Compact Double-Sided Kit
FINDMAG 1000 LBS Fishing Magnet Kit, 2.95 Inch Double Sided…

FINDMAG 1000 lb Double-Sided Kit

2.95 in · 1000 lb total

Shore and bank magnet fishers who want a double-sided kit with gloves and rope at the entry tier and accept that the maker publishes little beyond the rating.

$27.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 09:51 UTC

Verdict

A compact double-sided magnet with gloves and 65 ft of rope, for shore dragging at the entry tier of this guide.

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: FINDMAG (maker’s Amazon listing).

FINDMAG’s listing on Amazon, the maker’s Amazon listing (we found no fishing-kit page on the maker’s own site), describes a 75 mm diameter, 25 mm thick magnet and writes that “Double sided pulling force will up to 1000LBS(454KG) totally (each side 500 lbs/227kg).” The two faces each carry half the combined figure, a point that matters when you compare against single-sided ratings. The listing adds a Ni+Cu+Ni triple-layer coating on a steel cup, an eye bolt that screws into the steel base, and, in the title, gloves and a 65 ft rope. It does not state the rope’s breaking strength, say whether a carabiner or threadlocker is in the box, or explain how the 1000 lb figure was measured. FINDMAG’s list price was not published in what we could read.

Why it suits fishing: Outdoor Life quotes expert magnet fisher Bryce Nachtwey: “If you’re magnet fishing from a bank, go with a double-sided magnet.” We found no independent test or owner thread for this 1000 lb kit; r/magnetfishing posts that name FINDMAG cover other sizes, so the evidence line below says maker specs only.

Specs (FINDMAG 1000 lb kit, 2.95 in):

  • Linked model: FINDMAG 1000 LBS Fishing Magnet Kit, 2.95 Inch Double Sided, sold and shipped by the seller FINDMAG at our check
  • Magnet: 75 mm diameter, 25 mm thick, Ni+Cu+Ni coating (maker’s Amazon listing)
  • Rated pull: 1000 lb total, 500 lb per side; method not stated (maker’s Amazon listing)
  • Kit: magnet, gloves, 65 ft rope (listing title); carabiner and threadlocker not listed
  • Rope breaking strength and weight: not published
  • Maker list price: FINDMAG’s list price was not published in what we could read

Pros

  • Double-sided steel-cup magnet in a 75 mm body, with gloves and 65 ft of rope listed
  • Triple-layer coating named on the listing
  • Entry tier among the kits compared here

Cons

  • The 1000 lb rating comes with no stated test method
  • The listing does not give the rope’s breaking strength or list a carabiner or threadlocker
  • Weight and rope strength are not published

Who should buy it

Shore and bank magnet fishers who want a double-sided kit with gloves and rope at the entry tier and accept that the maker publishes little beyond the rating.

Check on Amazon

VNDUEEY 1500 lb Kit, Large Cup Magnet Kit

Large Cup Magnet Kit
VNDUEEY 1500LBS Magnet Fishing 4.72"Neodymium Fishing…

VNDUEEY 1500 lb Kit

4.72 in · 1500 lb

Adult magnet fishers who plan to lower a magnet straight down from a bridge or dock and want a large cup magnet with a kit at the entry tier.

$27.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 09:51 UTC

Verdict

A large 4.72 in cup magnet with a countersunk eyebolt, for dropping straight down from a bridge or dock.

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: VNDUEEY (maker’s Amazon listing).

VNDUEEY’s Amazon listing, which is the maker’s Amazon listing because we found no site of its own, gives the diameter as 4.72 in and the Amazon item dimensions as 4.72 x 4.72 x 3.15 in. It says the magnet “can offer 1500 LBS pulling strength under ideal conditions”, with a steel cup that “focuses the magnetic force on the bottom and minimizes it on the sides”. The listing does not use the words “single-sided”, so we describe it as the listing does: a cup magnet with its force on the bottom face, a countersunk hole and eyebolt, a Ni+Cu+Ni coating, 242 threadlocker, and, in the title, a 65 ft rope, carabiner and gloves. No weight, rope strength or test method is published, and VNDUEEY’s list price was not published in what we could read.

Why it suits fishing: Outdoor Life’s expert Bryce Nachtwey says “Flat, single-sided magnets are best for throwing straight off a bridge or jigging up and down from a boat ramp.” A cup magnet with its force on one face fits that description, but VNDUEEY does not say so. VNDUEEY publishes no weight. We found no independent test or owner thread for this exact kit.

Specs (1500 lb, 4.72 in):

  • Linked model: VNDUEEY 1500LBS Magnet Fishing 4.72″ Neodymium Fishing Magnet Kit with Rope, sold and shipped by the seller VNDUEEY at our check
  • Magnet: 4.72 in diameter, 3.15 in high (Amazon item dimensions), cup design, countersunk hole and eyebolt (maker’s Amazon listing)
  • Rated pull: 1500 lb “under ideal conditions”; method not stated
  • Kit: 65 ft rope, carabiner, gloves (listing title); 242 threadlocker included
  • Weight and rope breaking strength: not published
  • Maker list price: VNDUEEY’s list price was not published in what we could read

Pros

  • Large 4.72 in diameter cup magnet with a countersunk eyebolt hole
  • Rope, carabiner, gloves and threadlocker named on the listing
  • Entry tier among the kits compared here

Cons

  • Weight is not published
  • The rating has no stated test method beyond “ideal conditions”
  • The listing does not say “single-sided” or give rope strength

Who should buy it

Adult magnet fishers who plan to lower a magnet straight down from a bridge or dock and want a large cup magnet with a kit at the entry tier.

Check on Amazon

Dazakoot 1320 lb Double-Sided Kit, Double-Sided 100 ft Kit

Double-Sided 100 ft Kit
Dazakoot 1320lb Double Side Magnet Fishing Kit, Strong…

Dazakoot 1320 lb Double-Sided Kit

3 in · 1320 lb

Bank magnet fishers who want a double-sided kit with a long rope and are willing to confirm the hook and rating basis with the seller.

$45.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 09:51 UTC

Verdict

A double-sided magnet kit with 100 ft of rope and a nine-item accessory list, for bank dragging on a modest budget.

Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/magnetfishing owner post: Dazakoot 1320 double sided.

The maker’s Amazon listing, which is the maker source we could read, gives the magnet as “diameter= 3″ (75 mm), body thickness = 1.26″ (32 mm), pull force about 1320lbs”, and the title adds N52. It does not say whether 1320 lb is per side or combined for the two faces. The listing’s nine-item kit is the magnet, 100 ft of nylon rope with two locking carabiners, gloves, threadlock glue, a plastic scraper, tape for the rope knot, a towel, an instruction manual and a handbag. The sources differ on one item: the title names a grappling hook, but the nine-item list does not include one, so check the listing before you count on a hook. Rope breaking strength and the rating method are not published, and Dazakoot’s list price was not published in what we could read.

Why it suits fishing: Double-sided magnets are the type Outdoor Life’s expert suggests for fishing from a bank. On r/magnetfishing, a poster who shared a find, asked which magnet was used, answered “Dazakoot 1320 double sided”; in a separate thread another member writes of a Dazakoot double-sided magnet “it was ok i guess” without naming the size. These are single reports, not tests.

Specs (1320 lb, 3 in):

  • Linked model: Dazakoot 1320lb Double Side Magnet Fishing Kit, N52, 100FT rope, sold and shipped by the seller Dazakoot at our check
  • Magnet: 3 in (75 mm) diameter, 1.26 in (32 mm) thick, N52 grade, Ni+Cu+Ni coating (maker’s Amazon listing)
  • Rated pull: “about 1320lbs”; per side or total not stated; method not stated
  • Kit: 100 ft nylon rope with 2 locking carabiners, gloves, threadlock glue, scraper, tape, towel, manual, handbag (listing); grappling hook named in the title but not in the item list
  • Rope breaking strength and weight: not published
  • Maker list price: Dazakoot’s list price was not published in what we could read

Pros

  • 100 ft of rope with two locking carabiners in a nine-item kit, per the listing
  • Double-sided 3 in magnet with N52 named as the grade
  • Entry tier among the kits compared here

Cons

  • The listing does not say whether 1320 lb is per side or combined
  • Title and item list disagree about a grappling hook
  • Stock was low at our check (Amazon showed only a few left)

Who should buy it

Bank magnet fishers who want a double-sided kit with a long rope and are willing to confirm the hook and rating basis with the seller.

Check on Amazon

Magnetar 440 lb Starter Kit, Single-Sided Starter Kit

Single-Sided Starter Kit
Magnetar - Fishing Magnet Set for Kids and Starters…

Magnetar 440 lb Starter Kit

440 lb

New magnet fishers, or parents setting up a supervised younger user, who want a single-sided magnet whose maker states the basis of its rating.

$69.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 09:51 UTC

Verdict

A single-sided Classic 200 magnet in a steel housing with rope, hook and glue, for new hobbyists and supervised younger users.

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Magnetar (maker’s page, magnetarmagnets.com).

Magnetar describes the Classic 200 as a single-sided magnet for beginners and writes that the “stated 200 kg / 440 lb pull is measured under ideal conditions, with flat, clean metal and full contact.” The magnet weighs 364 g (0.8 lb) and is 15 mm high, and its steel casing “helps protect the magnet against impact and drop damage.” In its Starter package the maker lists a 1/4 in (6 mm) rope of 65 ft with a stainless carabiner, a stainless grappling hook and 10 ml of metal glue; gloves are not on its list. The Amazon title and variation say 440 lb, the maker’s package title says 450 lb, and both are 200 kg. Magnetar lists the Starter package at $99.99 (its page showed it on sale when we read it); the Amazon listing says the rope is “able to pull up to 1587 lb (720 kg).”

Why it suits fishing: Magnetar writes that the Starter package is “Designed for beginners, supervised younger users and new hobbyists,” and that the magnet suits “canals, harbors and shorelines.” Outdoor Life’s expert recommends a 500-pound magnet for kids, and Popular Mechanics advises beginners to start at a combined 500 to 1,200 pounds; those figures refer to the magnets those authors use, and ratings are not on a common basis. We found no independent test or owner thread for this exact kit.

Specs (Classic 200 single-sided, Starter package):

  • Linked model: Magnetar Fishing Magnet Set for Kids and Starters, Single-Sided 440 Lb, sold and shipped by Magnetar Magnets (the maker) at our check
  • Magnet: Classic 200, steel housing, 364 g (0.8 lb), 15 mm high, 65 mm with screw eye, M8 screw eye, 80 C maximum temperature (maker); diameter not published in what we read
  • Rated pull: 200 kg / 440 lb under ideal conditions, flat clean metal, full contact (maker)
  • Kit (maker’s Starter package): 65 ft 6 mm rope with stainless carabiner, stainless grappling hook, 10 ml glue; no gloves listed
  • Maker list price: Magnetar lists the Starter package at $99.99

Pros

  • Single-sided magnet in a steel housing that Magnetar says protects against impact and drop damage
  • Maker states the pull rating’s basis: ideal conditions, flat clean metal, full contact
  • Rope, grappling hook and glue in the maker’s package list

Cons

  • No gloves in the maker’s package list
  • Package title says 450 lb while the body, listing and variation say 440 lb

Who should buy it

New magnet fishers, or parents setting up a supervised younger user, who want a single-sided magnet whose maker states the basis of its rating.

Check on Amazon

MUTUACTOR 1500 lb Three-Sided Kit, Three-Sided Block Kit

Three-Sided Block Kit
MUTUACTOR Three Sides Fishing Magnet Kit Strong Powerful…

MUTUACTOR 1500 lb Three-Sided Kit

1500 lb total

Magnet fishers who want a multi-faced block magnet in a small body and who will check the listing for current size and contents before buying.

$54.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 09:51 UTC

Verdict

A small block magnet with three working faces, a rope and gloves, for rivers and ponds.

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: MUTUACTOR (maker’s Amazon listing).

MUTUACTOR’s Amazon listing, the maker’s Amazon listing because we found no page of its own, calls this a “Three Sides” magnet with “a powerful 500lbsx3 lbs vertical pull force” and writes that “Max force occurs with no gap between the magnet and the ferrous or nickel object.” The kit is a 1500 lb (three sides) magnet, a 65 ft nylon rope “with a locker” and a pair of cut-resistant gloves. The size is given two ways: the Amazon variation reads 1.7 x 2.7 x 1.4 in and the item dimensions read 2.76 x 1.77 x 1.42 in, so treat it as roughly 2.8 by 1.8 by 1.4 in. The listing describes finding “lost treasures in rivers, wells, garages, yards, or ponds.” Rope strength, weight and the rating method are not published, and MUTUACTOR’s list price was not published in what we could read.

Why it suits fishing: The listing counts three working faces on a small block, where a single-sided puck has one; no source we read tests how three-sided blocks behave on a river bottom. We found no independent test or owner thread for this exact kit; r/magnetfishing owners who mention MUTUACTOR describe other models.

Specs (1500 lb three-sided):

  • Linked model: MUTUACTOR Three Sides Fishing Magnet Kit, Combined 1500lb, sold and shipped by the seller MUTUACTOR-US at our check (Amazon showed only a few left)
  • Magnet: three working faces, about 2.76 x 1.77 x 1.42 in (item dimensions; the variation label gives 1.7 x 2.7 x 1.4 in), Ni+Cu+Ni coating on an A3 iron protector (maker’s Amazon listing)
  • Rated pull: 500 lb x 3 sides, 1500 lb total, “vertical pull force” with no gap (listing); method not stated
  • Kit: 65 ft nylon rope with a locker, cut-resistant gloves (listing)
  • Rope breaking strength and weight: not published
  • Maker list price: MUTUACTOR’s list price was not published in what we could read

Pros

  • Three working faces on a block roughly 2.8 in long, per the listing
  • Rope and cut-resistant gloves listed in the box
  • Listing states the rating is a vertical pull with no gap

Cons

  • The listing’s size is given two slightly different ways
  • No rope strength, weight or test method is published
  • Stock was low at our check

Who should buy it

Magnet fishers who want a multi-faced block magnet in a small body and who will check the listing for current size and contents before buying.

Check on Amazon

Magnetpro 2000 lb Double-Sided Kit, Double-Sided Case Kit

Double-Sided Case Kit
Magnetpro 2000LB's Complete Double Sided Fishing Magnet Kit…

Magnetpro 2000 lb Double-Sided Kit

2000 lb total

Bank dragging magnet fishers who want a hook and case in the box and are comfortable buying from a named third-party seller.

$59.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 09:51 UTC

Verdict

A double-sided kit with a hook, a waterproof case and carabiners with a stated tensile rating, for bank dragging.

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Magnetpro (maker’s Amazon listing).

Magnetpro’s Amazon listing, the maker’s Amazon listing because we found no site of its own, says the kit has a “REAL N40-grade neodymium magnet” rated at “a 2000LB pull-force magnet (1000 LB each side)”, a 65 ft rope, a grappling hook, a “waterproof drop-resistant storage case”, cut-resistant gloves and threadlocker. It adds that the carabiners were improved in October 2025 to a stated “1940 lbs tensile strength”, and Magnetpro writes that the pull-off force “is verified by our industrial tensile meter”, a claim about its own testing for which it gives no method. Magnet dimensions, weight and rope strength are not published, and Magnetpro’s list price was not published in what we could read. The Amazon family has 1700, 2000, 2690 and 3000 lb siblings; the link opens the 2000 lb double-sided kit.

Why it suits fishing: Double-sided magnets are the type Outdoor Life’s expert suggests from a bank, and he calls a three-pronged hook “the claw” and “the second most essential thing to any magnet fisherman.” We found no independent test or owner thread for this exact kit.

Specs (2000 lb double-sided):

  • Linked model: Magnetpro 2000LB’s Complete Double Sided Fishing Magnet Kit, sold and shipped by the seller HunterUS (a third-party seller, not Amazon.com or Magnetpro’s own store) at our check
  • Magnet: N40 grade, double-sided; dimensions and weight not published (maker’s Amazon listing)
  • Rated pull: 2000 lb total, 1000 lb each side; Magnetpro says it is tensile-meter verified (method not published)
  • Kit: 65 ft rope, carabiners (1940 lb tensile per the listing), grappling hook, waterproof case, gloves, threadlocker
  • Rope breaking strength: not published
  • Maker list price: Magnetpro’s list price was not published in what we could read

Pros

  • Grappling hook, waterproof case, gloves and threadlocker named in the box
  • Carabiners with a stated 1940 lb tensile strength, per the listing
  • The listing states the per-side split of the 2000 lb rating

Cons

  • Sold by a third-party seller (HunterUS), not Amazon.com or the brand
  • Magnet dimensions and weight are not published
  • The tensile-meter claim comes with no method or certificate

Who should buy it

Bank dragging magnet fishers who want a hook and case in the box and are comfortable buying from a named third-party seller.

Check on Amazon

Platinum Online Products 3600 lb 360 Kit, 360-Degree Rope Kit

360-Degree Rope Kit
3600lb Magnet Fishing Kit Complete 360 Degree Set | N52…

Platinum 3600 lb 360 Kit

3600 lb

Experienced magnet fishers who want a 360-degree kit and will ask the seller what the rating means before buying.

$159.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 09:51 UTC

Verdict

A 360-degree N52 kit with a 10 mm rope and gloves, for fishers who want a magnet that attracts from all sides.

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Platinum Online Products (maker’s Amazon listing).

Platinum Online Products’ Amazon listing, the maker’s Amazon listing because we found no site of its own, advertises “3600LB Pulling Power”, a “360-degree neodymium N52 magnet”, a 10 mm, 65 ft rope with carabiners and cut-resistant gloves. It does not say whether 3600 lb is per face or a total across faces, or how it was measured, and it publishes no magnet size, weight, coating or rope strength. Magnetar, by contrast, shows a 360-degree rating as the sum of four faces. We make no comparison between the two ratings. Platinum’s list price was not published in what we could read.

Why it suits fishing: Outdoor Life writes that “a 360-degree magnet attracts from all directions” and that the average one “can either be dragged from a bank or pulled up from a bridge.” Popular Mechanics‘ author prefers an aluminum carabiner with a 360 magnet because “the carabiner won’t stick to the top of the magnet”; Platinum does not say what its carabiners are made of. The Amazon family also sells 2000 lb and 3000 lb listings; the link opens the 3600 lb kit. We found no independent test or owner thread for this exact kit.

Specs (3600 lb 360-degree kit):

  • Linked model: 3600lb Complete 360 Degree Magnet Fishing Kit, N52, 10mm 65ft rope, sold and shipped by the seller Platinum Online Products at our check
  • Magnet: 360-degree, N52; size, weight and coating not published (maker’s Amazon listing)
  • Rated pull: 3600 lb; basis (per face or total) and method not stated
  • Kit: 10 mm, 65 ft rope with carabiners, cut-resistant gloves; rope strength and carabiner material not published
  • Maker list price: Platinum Online Products’ list price was not published in what we could read

Pros

  • 360-degree N52 magnet with a 10 mm rope and gloves in the kit, per the listing
  • Attracts from all sides, which Outdoor Life says allows dragging from a bank or pulling up from a bridge
  • Listing publishes its rating, though not its basis

Cons

  • The 3600 lb rating has no stated basis or method
  • No magnet size, weight or rope strength is published
  • Premium tier among the kits compared here, with little published detail

Who should buy it

Experienced magnet fishers who want a 360-degree kit and will ask the seller what the rating means before buying.

Check on Amazon

Magnetar Beast 3100 lb 360 Kit, 360-Degree Cover Kit

360-Degree Cover Kit
Magnetar Magnet Fishing Kit - 3100 Lb Fishing Magnet 360…

Magnetar Beast 3100 lb 360 Kit

3100 lb total

Experienced magnet fishers who want a 360-degree kit with a cover and who will follow the maker's handling precautions.

$319.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 09:51 UTC

Verdict

The Beast 360-degree magnet in Magnetar’s Legend package, with a protective cover, 10 mm rope, gloves and a large hook, for experienced fishers.

Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/magnetfishing owner post: Magnetar Beast 360 magnet (kit not stated).

Magnetar lists the Beast’s pull as “4 X 770 lb = 3100 lb” across four sides, with a direct pulling force of 770 lb (350 kg), a distance attraction of 10 in, a 50 mm height, and a weight of 4.1 lb (1880 g). The Legend package, which the Amazon listing names as the kit, adds a stainless steel protective cover, a 0.40 in (10 mm) rope of 65 ft with a stainless steel carabiner, a pair of waterproof gloves, 2 ml of glue and an extra-large stainless steel grappling hook; the listing says the rope “can pull up to 4409 lb (2000 kg).” Magnetar lists the Legend package at $369.99 (its page showed it on sale when we read it). The maker calls the Beast “perfect for a highly experienced magnet fisherman” and warns that “you must take extra precautions when storing, transporting and using.”

Why it suits fishing: Magnetar says the Beast, which it calls heavier than its smaller 360-degree magnets, “sinks deeper into soft bottoms”, and calls it “Well suited for bridges, harbors and deep-water locations.” An r/magnetfishing owner of a Beast reported chipping it on a second outing, and a commenter replied that 360-degree magnets bought without the kit need a cover sold separately; this kit includes one, per the maker. That is one report about the magnet, not this kit. Popular Mechanics‘ author prefers an aluminum carabiner with 360 magnets, while Magnetar’s list shows stainless steel.

Specs (Beast 3100 lb 360, Legend package):

  • Linked model: Magnetar Magnet Fishing Kit, 3100 Lb 360 Degree, Beast, with Hook/Rope/Gloves/Cover/Glue, sold and shipped by Magnetar Magnets (the maker) at our check
  • Magnet: Beast cylinder, 360-degree, 50 mm high, 4.1 lb (1880 g), M8 screw eye (maker); diameter not published in what we read
  • Rated pull: “4 X 770 lb = 3100 lb” across four sides (the product is 3080 lb by arithmetic; Magnetar prints 3100); 770 lb direct (maker)
  • Kit: protective cover, 10 mm 65 ft rope (listing: up to 4409 lb) with stainless carabiner, waterproof gloves, 2 ml glue, extra-large grappling hook
  • Maker list price: Magnetar lists the Legend package at $369.99

Pros

  • 360-degree magnet in a complete kit with cover, 10 mm rope, gloves and a large hook
  • Maker states the rating basis: four faces of 770 lb each, 770 lb direct
  • Weight, height and rope strength are published

Cons

  • Premium tier among the kits compared here
  • Magnetar describes it as built for experienced magnet fishers and warns of extra precautions
  • A stainless steel carabiner, where Popular Mechanics’ author prefers aluminum for 360 magnets

Who should buy it

Experienced magnet fishers who want a 360-degree kit with a cover and who will follow the maker’s handling precautions.

Check on Amazon

Choosing a Fishing Magnet

Single-sided, double-sided, three-sided or 360-degree

Outdoor Life’s Bryce Nachtwey says “Flat, single-sided magnets are best for throwing straight off a bridge or jigging up and down from a boat ramp”, and “If you’re magnet fishing from a bank, go with a double-sided magnet.” He adds that the “goal is always to keep the magnetic part flat on the ground under the water.” For 360-degree magnets, Outdoor Life writes that the average one “can either be dragged from a bank or pulled up from a bridge”, at a higher price. Picks: FINDMAG 1000 lb, VNDUEEY 1500 lb, Dazakoot 1320 lb, Magnetar Starter, MUTUACTOR three-sided, Magnetpro 2000 lb, Platinum 3600 lb, Magnetar Beast.

How to read a pull-force rating

A double-sided rating is usually the sum of two faces. Outdoor Life explains that “If you see a 2,400-pound double-sided magnet, that means it has two 1,200-pound faces,” and that this “doesn’t necessarily make it any stronger than a single-sided 1,200-pound magnet” but doubles the surface area. Magnetar, a maker, writes in its guide to cheap fishing magnets that a seller should “provide realistic information about the way the pull force was measured” and that it should say “whether it applies to one side or is the combined total for several magnetic surfaces.” Of the eight kits here, the Magnetar Starter states its basis (ideal conditions, flat clean metal, full contact) and the Magnetar Beast states four faces of 770 lb; the Platinum and Dazakoot listings do not say. Treat each number as the maker’s rated pull on its own basis, not a prediction of what the magnet will lift from mud.

Size, weight and what you can throw

Outdoor Life’s expert recommends a 1,500-pound magnet for any adult magnet fisher and 500 pounds for kids, figures that refer to the magnets those authors use and are not a common rating basis, noting that stronger magnets are heavier: “It comes down to what you think you can throw all day long.” Popular Mechanics‘ author advises a different starting range, “a combined pull force of 500 to 1,200”, and says anything over that “requires experience”. The two disagree, and neither is a test. Weight is published by only one maker here for its magnet: Magnetar (Starter 364 g, Beast 4.1 lb); the other listings give dimensions at most.

Rope, carabiner and threadlocker

Popular Mechanics‘ author says to look for a rope “with a breaking strength that is greater than the pull force of the magnet you’re using” and never choose one smaller than 6 mm; he also says to apply a thread locker to the bolts “to prevent them from becoming loose and your new magnet from breaking free.” Outdoor Life’s expert calls a three-prong hook “the claw” and “the second most essential thing to any magnet fisherman.” Rope strength is published for the two Magnetar kits (listing: 1587 lb and 4409 lb) and, for carabiners only, the Magnetpro; the other kits do not publish it. Popular Mechanics’ author prefers an aluminum carabiner with 360 magnets because an aluminum carabiner “won’t stick to the top of the magnet”.

Safety and local rules

Magnetar’s safety guide says: “Keep your fingers away from the space between the magnet and metal surfaces. Do not let children carry or connect strong magnets without direct adult supervision.” It also says to transport the magnet in its case, “Keep it separated from tools, loose steel objects, electronics, magnetic cards, and other magnets”, and “Do not wrap the rope around your hand, wrist, or body.” For anything resembling ammunition or an explosive, Magnetar says to stop pulling, not handle the object, keep others away and call 911. First4Magnets, a magnet seller, writes “Children should NEVER be allowed to play with NEODYMIUM magnets” and passes on a hospital clinical scientist’s advice that “The operation of heart pacemakers will be affected by the close proximity of a magnet.” It also advises keeping magnets “at least 20cm (7.87″) away from sensitive electronic and storage devices.” Rules on magnet fishing differ by place and water; check with the local authority and the owner of the bank or water before you go. Packing for a riverside day? Our what to bring camping checklist covers the rest of the kit.

How We Chose and Graded These Magnets

How this guide was built

built from manufacturer documentation, published third-party reviews and owner reports; we have not tested these products ourselves.

What every pick had to meet

  • A magnet fishing kit with a stated rated pull from its maker or the maker’s Amazon listing
  • Stocked on Amazon, in stock and new, with any seller other than Amazon.com or the brand named in the review
  • One specific kit and rating linked, never a whole family
  • Several brands, distinct roles, and no outcome or real-world performance promised
  • Where a maker states how its rating is counted, we say so; where it does not, we write “not stated”
Where the evidence comes from, what magnet fishers report and seller and stock checks

Where the evidence comes from

We found no independent hands-on test of any of the eight kits. The independent written guides we found are Outdoor Life’s roundup, which covers other makers’ magnets (Brute, Rogue, Battle and Centurion), and Popular Mechanics’ guide by Ben Demchak, who says he runs Kratos Magnetics, a magnet fishing maker. We use both for general advice and attribute each statement. Six reviews therefore say “No independent test; maker specs” and two say “No independent test; owner reports”. Specs come from the maker’s page where we could read one (Magnetar) and otherwise from the maker’s Amazon listing, which is labelled in each review. Brute, Kratos, Rogue, Battle and Centurion kits that Outdoor Life and r/magnetfishing posters mention were out of stock or not found on Amazon at our check, so they are not picks.

What magnet fishers report

On r/magnetfishing, one owner recounts a Dazakoot 1320 double-sided and one owner a chipped Magnetar Beast; another thread, r/magnetfishing’s under-$70 kit question, has a commenter who started with a similar kit and calls it “a lightweight double sided magnet (keep in mind that a double’s strength is split between the two faces, so this one will have 500 lbs attraction on each face)”. In another thread, one owner of a basic single-sided magnet reports pulling up “fishhooks and weights” at a local fishing pond. These are individual reports, not tests, and if you also fish the water, our river smallmouth lures guide covers the tackle you may be sharing it with.

Seller and stock checks

Outgearly accepts any Amazon seller, with Amazon.com and reputable sellers preferred. At our check the Magnetar kits were sold by Magnetar Magnets, the maker; the FINDMAG, VNDUEEY, Dazakoot, MUTUACTOR and Platinum kits by sellers carrying the brand’s name; and the Magnetpro kit by a third-party seller, HunterUS. The Dazakoot and MUTUACTOR listings showed only a few units left.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Which magnet should I get for magnet fishing?

It depends on where you fish and what you can throw. Outdoor Life’s expert prefers a single-sided magnet for dropping off a bridge and a double-sided one from a bank, and recommends 1,500 pounds for adults; Popular Mechanics‘ author suggests beginners start at a combined 500 to 1,200. For a single-sided starter kit the Magnetar Starter states the basis of its rating.

Q. What is the most powerful fishing magnet?

We do not name one. Makers rate pull on different bases, such as per face, summed over several faces or unstated, and none of the eight kits has an independent test, so a larger number is not evidence of a stronger real-world pull. Compare the “Pull basis” column in the table above.

Q. Which brand of fishing magnet should I buy?

Outdoor Life writes that “the best magnets for magnet fishing come from companies that are small and family-owned.” Several makers it names, such as Brute, were unavailable on Amazon at our check. The brands we link are stocked on Amazon, and Magnetar is the one brand here whose own product pages we could read, so read each listing’s rating basis and contents before buying.

Q. Which is stronger, N42 or N52?

Popular Mechanics writes that fishing magnets are “typically graded from n35 to n52, with the higher number representing a more powerful magnet.” The grade is only one input: Magnetar’s page says pulling force depends on “material, shape, diameter, and magnet type”. The Dazakoot and Platinum listings name N52, the Magnetpro names N40 and the others name no grade, so grade alone cannot rank these kits.

Q. Is magnet fishing safe?

Magnetar, a maker, writes that magnet fishing “is generally safe when you use suitable equipment, protect your hands, and follow basic precautions.” The main risks it lists are cuts, pinched fingers, rope burns and falls near water. We have not tested any kit and make no safety guarantee; see the safety notes above.

Q. Do I need permission to magnet fish?

Rules differ by place and water, and this guide makes no legal claims. Check with the local authority and the owner of the bank or water before you go.

The bottom line

Final Verdict

For a single-sided starter kit, the Magnetar 440 lb Starter Kit (check price) comes from a maker that states its rating basis and designed it for beginners and supervised younger users. For a double-sided kit with a long rope, the Dazakoot 1320 lb Double-Sided Kit (check price) lists 100 ft of rope and two locking carabiners, though its title and item list disagree about a hook. For experienced fishers, the Magnetar Beast 3100 lb 360 Kit (check price) adds a protective cover, a 10 mm rope and a large hook, at the premium tier. Add the FINDMAG 1000 lb Double-Sided Kit (check price) or the Magnetpro 2000 lb Double-Sided Kit (check price) for bank dragging, the VNDUEEY 1500 lb Kit (check price) for dropping a large cup magnet from a bridge, the MUTUACTOR 1500 lb Three-Sided Kit (check price) for a small block, and the Platinum Online Products 3600 lb 360 Kit (check price) if you will confirm its rating basis first. Whichever you choose, read the maker’s rating basis, keep fingers clear of the gap between magnet and metal, and check the local rules.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

Outgearly Team
Outgearly Team

Written and reviewed by the Outgearly Team. See the About page for how we work.