The pull force of any fishing magnet is directly proportional to the surface area contact and inversely proportional to the amount of rust and paint present in the object. The thickness of the object/structure also make a great difference.
For example, if the material is painted, the paint (although not entirely) blocks the magnetic force; therefore, you won’t be able to experience the full effect of its strength.
Similarly, if the item is irregular in shape, less surface area (of the item) is in contact with the magnet and the magnetic force will be less. Imagine a thick metal plate and a door knob. In the case of a thick metal plate, the magnet has direct contact with 100% of the surface, whereas, in the case of the door knob, it may have only 40% surface contact. Plus, the door knob may be made with alloys of non-ferromagnetic materials which are less magnetic in nature. The presence of iron also makes a great difference.
Let’s look at the following items:
Keys: If you look at the design of most keys, they are very thin (maybe 1/5th of an inch) in nature, plus all the surface area is not in contact. Most keys are also plated with different materials.
Chairs: Nowadays, chairs are either mesh or thin metals. Some of the chairs are also covered with fabric, cottons, plastic, etc. If the chair is very thin, you can add some weight to the bottom of the chair so that it will pick it up properly.
Refrigerators: Most of the refrigerators are made with thin metals. Stainless steel refrigerators contain less ferromagnetic materials present in them. Plus the outer doors and sidings are usually hollow.
Foundation Metal Beams: They are usually cylindrical in shape and not all of the surface area of the magnet will be in contact with the beam. But, they are usually very thick so most of the times the magnet will pick it up or else try attaching it to the end of the beam (with a flat surface).
Kitchen Utensils: Most of the items found in the kitchen are usually very thin. It will pick the utensils but since they are very thin in nature, they will easily come off.
Elliptical: Most of the elliptical have a very thick base. So, it shouldn’t have any problem picking it up. We recommend trying it on a flat surface of the elliptical.
Metal Safe: They are usually very thick and heavy in nature. Most of the fishing magnets won’t have any issue picking it up.
Garbage Cans: It depends. If you go to a park and find a thick, commercial grade garbage can, it will stick without any problem. Now, if you try to stick it to a household garbage can then it may not stick properly because most of those household cans are painted and thin.
]]>While there isn’t a license specifically for magnet fishing (at least not just yet), we would recommend carrying your regular fishing license (though it may not be required). Sure you aren’t fishing for fish, but you are “fishing” for some cool objects and items—perhaps, even a treasure!
Fishing, among other activities in Virginia, is regulated by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. We spoke with a representative there and she informed us that since we were going to be fishing with the intention of getting something out of the water, then it was strongly recommended that we have a fishing license (just in case a park ranger stopped us to check for one). However, when we decided to do some magnet fishing in Ohio, the Department of Natural Resources very clearly “required” us to carry a normal fishing license.
In conclusion, it is legal to magnet fish in the United States as long as you meet the requirements of the parks and lakes that you’re visiting. We personally recommend that you carry your fishing license at all times.
You may find a variety of answers online when you search for laws regarding magnet fishing. The simplest answer is—it depends.
]]>You may find a variety of answers online when you search for laws regarding magnet fishing. The simplest answer is—it depends. While there are not any federal or state laws restricting the sport (yes I called it a sport – my wife might disagree) in the United States, different rules may apply elsewhere.
We found that state parks and lakes are very particular about what you can do there. For example, at Smith Mountain Lake (in the state of Virginia) you can only magnet fish after 6:30PM. We went to the lake (without calling first) around 2PM and we were told we could not magnet fish until 6:30. However, they were not concerned about what we might pull out from the water. On the contrary, First Landing State Park didn’t have any time restrictions on magnet fishing there. They were actually very curious to see what we would find. Similarly, York State Park had no restrictions either (the only requirement was that you have a regular fishing license).
If you have questions regarding the license for magnet fishing, please check out our blog "Magnet Fishing License Requirements".
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