A Guide To The Best Magnets For Magnet Fishing

When I first started out magnet fishing I was unsure of what magnet I would need and I wanted the best magnet for magnet fishing. However, I never realised there were so many different types of magnet available. I was overwhelmed with information.

So I’ve written this article in the hope that it helps simplify things, we will be looking at only the best magnets for magnet fishing.

Best Magnets For Magnet Fishing

There are only two best types of magnets that I will be talking about and both are recommended for magnet fishing, Neodymium magnets and ferrite magnets.

It is recommended that if you are completely new to magnet fishing you take a look at the beginner’s guide to magnet fishing first and foremost.

Both of the types of magnets can be purchased in a “housing”. This is usually chrome-plated steel with an eyebolt. I believe this is the easiest way to create your magnet fishing rig. They also can come in protected by a plastic housing.

Neodymium Magnets for Magnet Fishing

If you’re a beginner to magnet fishing you’ve probably by now heard of Neodymium magnets, these are also known as “rare earth magnets” and are the most popular magnets for magnet fishing.

What is a Neodymium Magnet?

Sometimes known as rare earth magnets or Super magnets, Neodymium magnets are the most powerful permanent magnet in the world.

The smallest of neodymium magnets can lift over 1000 x their own weight.

Neodymium magnets transmit magnetic fields that attract ferrous metal items from a great distance.

The rare earth magnets are used for many things, by many people including magicians in some magic tricks. They can attract ferrous metal even through a human finger.

They were created in the 1980’s and were used to help develop things like speakers, motors and power tools ultimately allowing the manufacturers to create much smaller products.

The Neodymium magnets are made of iron, boron and an alloy of neodymium.

Due to the sheer power of Neodymium magnets, they are the best magnets for magnet fishing.

Neodymium Magnet Grades

Neodymium magnets grades are determined by the material they are made up of.

The easiest way for me to explain grading would be, the higher the number that follows the N in the grading the stronger the magnet.

N52 is currently the highest possible grade, the number that follows the N is referring to the temperature rating of the magnet.

How is temperature relevant to the magnets? Well, simply put, the numbers that follow the letter are the maximum operating temperature that the magnet can withstand before it starts to lose its magnetic property.

Neodymium magnets size & pull power

There are many Neodymium magnets available in a variety of strengths. These strengths are measured in “pull power” Typically the bigger the magnet the bigger the pull-power. Before you choose your magnet and its pull strength you will have to decide on what items you are prepared to recover from the water.

If you want to be able to pull out bikes, safes and other large heavy metal items you will need a bigger Neodymium magnet with higher pull power, you’ll also want a stronger rope.

If you are only wanting to pull out smaller items then you should go for less pull power.

Pull-power is measured in lbs or kgs.

So if you see 1000lbs or 453 kgs pull power on a magnet then I believe this is the largest and strongest of magnets for magnet fishing.

Where can I buy Neodymium magnets?

You can buy neodymium magnets online from both Amazon and eBay and have them delivered straight to your door.

Both of these marketplaces are safe to purchase from and have buyer protection so you can rest assured your Neodymium magnets will be the best quality and will be delivered safely.

45lbs (20kg) Pulling Power Small Neodymium Fishing Magnets (Check Price on Amazon)

249 lbs (112 kgs) Pulling Power Neodymium Fishing Magnet (Check Price on Amazon)

520 lbs (235 kgs) Pulling Power Neodymium Fishing Magnet (Check Price on Amazon)

1000 lbs (453 kgs) Pulling Power Brute Force Biggest Neodymium Fishing Magnet (Check Price on Amazon)

Ferrite Magnets for Magnet Fishing

The second type of magnet I would recommend is a Ferrite magnet. These are not as powerful as the Neodymium magnets but are a cheaper alternative. You can see the differences between the two further down this post.

They are a popular choice and are also one of the best magnets for magnet fishing.

What is a ferrite magnet?

A Ferrite magnet is also referred to as a ceramic magnet or hard ferrite magnet. They are electrically insulating and exist in two different forms. Strontium Ferrite and Barium Ferrite. The more common of the two types is Strontium.

They are usually dark grey in colour and resemble pencil lead. You’ve probably seen this type of magnet at school or on the back of a fridge magnet.

Ferrite magnets are a popular choice of magnets because they are free from corrosion and last a very long time. They also have a high-temperature tolerance and do not lose strength in temperatures up to 250 degrees celsius, sometimes higher.

The Ferrite magnets are typically cheaper than other types of magnets as they do not include any rare earth materials. Usually, they are made from?Iron oxide and barium or strontium carbonate.

Ferrite magnet grades

Originally the grades of Ferrite started with the letter C, this is still used in the USA and UK sometimes. They are more commonly graded with the letter Y today.

The Y is an identifier for a ceramic magnet or hard ferrite magnet. The letter Y is proceeded by a number and represents the BHmax energy product. There are currently 27 grades of ferrite magnet.

Confused yet? I know I am.

The most popular grades of Ferrite magnets are Y30.

Ferrite magnets size & pull power

Again as per Neodymium magnets, Ferrite magnets are available in different strengths. These strengths also are measure in pull power. Unlike Neodymium ferrite are not nearly as strong so you will need a bigger ferrite magnet to achieve higher pull powers.

If you are magnet fishing and you don’t have a big budget and you’re not interested in pulling out really large items then ferrite magnets are a good choice.

To achieve a higher pull power custom rigs can be made by combining two or more ferrite magnets.


Pull-power is measured in lbs or kgs.

I believe from my research approximately 130kg pull power is the maximum size ferrite magnet you can get.

Where can I buy ferrite magnets?

You can buy ferrite magnets online from Amazon and eBay and have them delivered straight to your door. You can also purchase magnets from some reputable magnet retailers like first4magnets.

285 lbs (130kg) pull power ferrite magnet (Check price on Amazon)

Neodymium magnets vs Ferrite magnets for magnet fishing

The first difference between Neodymium and Ferrite magnets is the price. Ferrite magnets are much cheaper than Neodymium magnets because of the material they are created from. Ferrite magnets do not contain any rare earth materials like Neodymium magnets do.

The second is working temperature, ferrite magnets work fantastically between -40 degrees and 250 degrees. Most neodymium magnets would lose their magnetic properties at the higher end of the temperature. However, temperatures on the lower end will not effect neodymium magnets. It can actually increase their performance and power.

Appearance and material is the third difference, a ferrite magnet is dark grey in colour and can break into pieces when repeatedly put under strain. Neodymium magnets are more attractive, they are coated in nickel-copper and are silver in colour, they are also rather brittle and can crack.

Both are good magnets for magnet fishing, if you are looking at pulling large items from bodies of water then I personally would choose a neodymium magnet. However, if you’re looking at pulling just smaller items from the water then ferrite magnets will suffice.

See The Best Prices for Magnets On Amazon >>>

Best Types Of Magnets For Magnet Fishing Summary

So there we have it the best types of magnets for magnet fishing. Please bear in mind like you I am also a newbie in the magnet fishing world and I am researching everything as I go along and trying to explain things as simple as possible.

If you have any other suggestions to make this post better and more informative then please leave a comment in the comments section below.

Written by Gavin Bowler
