One suitable magnet is enough to begin. A single-sided magnet is often used for dipping, but a 360° magnet can dip and drag. Choose for contact, weight and handling. The advertised pull number is measured under ideal conditions, not a promise that every rusty find will lift.
Do you need more than one magnet for magnet fishing?
No. You can spend an entire outing dipping with a 360° magnet, and you can start with a single-sided or double-sided one too. Each design has a different pattern of attraction. That matters when it touches a find, but it does not mean a newcomer must buy a second magnet to change technique.
If you already own one, learn how it behaves at a permitted site before shopping again. A second design may be useful later if it solves a specific problem. It is not a starter requirement.
How single, double and 360° fishing magnets differ
| Design | Where it attracts | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Single-sided | Primarily one exposed face. | Often dipped vertically. When dragged, it can roll so its working face points away from the bottom. |
| Double-sided | Two broad opposite faces. | Can dip or drag, depending on the attachment. Check whether a listed rating is for one face or both together. |
| 360° / all-around | Around the body. | Can dip or drag. More directions of attraction may also mean more unwanted grabs on nearby steel. |
These are differences in geometry, not a ranking. Ask how a specific model is meant to be attached and used; designs within each category vary.
What a fishing magnet pull rating actually measures
A published pull figure usually comes from a magnet meeting clean, flat, thick steel with close contact and a straight pull. A rusty bolt, thin sheet, curved bicycle frame or object in mud does not recreate that test. Rust, paint and mud can leave a gap; thin steel and sideways pulling can reduce the hold further.
That does not make strength irrelevant. A stronger magnet can sometimes keep a useful grip on rusty or thin steel, or hold a partly buried object while you work it free. It cannot overcome every poor contact or mud suction, and a larger rating does not state what you can lift safely. Compare the maker’s direct and combined figures rather than dividing every 360° number by an assumed four.
Our November 2026 comparison of three 360° magnet listings
We checked the makers’ product pages on 1 November 2026 and copied only the pull figures they published. We did not measure the magnets or compare their performance in water. The table exposes a reporting gap: two listings give a direct figure; the third listing we checked gives only a combined figure.
| Model and source | Combined pull stated | Direct pull stated | Combined ÷ direct |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brute Boss 360° | 3,500 lb | 434 lb | 8.1 |
| Magnetar Hardcore 360° | 1,300 lb | 330 lb | 3.9 |
| Kratos Titan 360° | 3,800 lb | Not stated on this listing | Not calculable |
The last column is our arithmetic, rounded to one decimal place. It is not an efficiency score or a way to predict catches. The differences show why dividing every 360° headline by four is unreliable. Makers may use different test methods, and these models differ in size and weight. Ask for the direct measurement and method for the exact magnet you are considering.
Why a fishing magnet catches and then slips
Not enough to identify the object. The magnet may have touched a narrow edge, the target may be partly buried, or the pull angle may have changed as you lifted. A stronger magnet may hold that contact better, but changing where and how the magnet meets the steel can matter too.
From firm footing, a slow second pass may tell you whether the contact repeats. Do not escalate to violent pulls, lean over the water or assume a larger magnet will free an object trapped in mud. If the find or magnet cannot be controlled by hand, stop and follow the site manager’s recovery guidance.
How to compare fishing magnet sellers fairly
Brute Magnetics, Magnetar and Kratos all publish fishing-magnet ranges and guidance. Their product pages are useful for checking the exact model, direct versus combined force, weight, cover, rope connection, replacement parts and warranty. A seller’s own page is not an independent field test. We have not tested or ranked these brands.
For a first purchase, write down the whole setup you can comfortably handle, including rope and cleanup gear. If a seller cannot explain its pull figure or connection, ask before buying. If your current magnet works for your permitted location, keep using it.
How to clean and store a fishing magnet
Clean and dry equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions and inspect protective surfaces. Store the magnet in its protective case, away from loose steel objects and anything the maker identifies as vulnerable to magnetic fields. Never allow two powerful magnets to snap together.
How to read a fishing magnet specification
Two listings with the same advertised force may describe very different products. Check the magnet’s weight and dimensions, the working surfaces and the position of the eye bolt. Then look for the conditions behind the force measurement. A combined figure for two faces is not the same claim as force on one face.
Think through a full outing: carrying the case, assembling the rope, lowering the magnet, retrieving it repeatedly and packing it away. A design that seems attractive on a comparison chart can still be awkward for your reach or intended access point. Ask the seller about compatibility before choosing replacement parts.
The selection guide turns these questions into a short decision table. Our force converter helps compare units, but it cannot estimate a safe load or compensate for mud, rust and poor contact.
Sources & further reading
Community questions inform the topics. Official sources support rules; manufacturer information is not a hands-on test.
- Kratos Magnetics: single, double and 360° magnet usesManufacturer
- K&J Magnetics: how pull force is testedMagnet manufacturer technical explanation
- K&J Magnetics: why thin steel changes pull forceMagnet manufacturer technical explanation
- Brute Magnetics: Boss 360° combined and direct pull ratingsManufacturer specification
- Magnetar: Hardcore 360° combined and direct pull ratingsManufacturer specification
- Kratos: Titan 360° product listingManufacturer specification
- Magnetar: magnet buying guideManufacturer
- Brute Magnetics: equipment FAQManufacturer
- Reddit r/magnetfishing: updated FAQ discussion (21 July 2026)Community questions