If you've ever gone fishing and only caught a boot, you may want to consider an upgrade to James Kane and Barbie Agostini's choice of bait: magnets. The New York City couple recently stumbled upon a safe containing approximately $100,000 while magnet fishing in Queens' Flushing Meadows Corona Park. That's right—forget the rod, reel, and worms; this American dream involves industrial-strength magnets and a keen sense of aquatic treasure hunting (Fox, ABC).

The couple, known for documenting their magnet fishing exploits on social media, found the safe during a weekend adventure that would put most people's Netflix binge-watching sessions to shame. James and Barbie have been sharing their unique finds with their 4,000 YouTube subscribers and 1.4 million viewers since they took up the pastime during the coronavirus pandemic (CBS, USA Today).

Their prior catches include World War II grenades, 19th-century guns, a motorcycle, and a purse containing foreign coins, pearls, and gold jewels. So when they pulled up a waterlogged safe containing a cool $100,000, it was just another day in the park—literally (CBS, USA Today).

What's intriguing is that the couple reported their discovery to the NYPD, who, likely after battling a wave of wallet-envy, allowed them to keep the money. The safe was not connected to any crime, thus making the couple the official, if soggy, owners of the cash (CBS, ABC).

However, all that glitters isn't gold—or in this case, all that douses isn't dollar. The bills were heavily water-damaged and, in their current state, likely to be rejected by some of the more discerning vending machines out there (CBS, USA Today). Still, there's hope. The couple plans to take their aquatic fortune to the U.S. Treasury Department to see if the money can be reconstructed.

For the uninitiated, each bill must be over 50% intact for the Treasury Department to return its value. So essentially, if the money looks like it lost a fight with a paper shredder and several gallons of water, it might yet rise again like a phoenix from the ashes—or like soggy currency from a neglected safe (Fox, ABC).

Depending on the salvageable amount, the couple plans to invest their newfound wealth wisely. Their options range from buying a house to acquiring new magnet-fishing equipment. After all, once you've pulled up 100-grand, it's hard to go back to old hooks and lines (Fox).

For those wondering if magnet fishing is about to become the next big American pastime, you might be right. With a smorgasbord of potential treasures lying beneath the murky waters of our city's parks and rivers, it’s easy to see the appeal.

And so, while many are content to scroll through their social media feeds, living vicariously through others, James Kane and Barbie Agostini have opted to magnet-fish their way to personal glory—one soaked banknote at a time.

So, next weekend, when you’re deciding between brunch or another visit to Bed Bath & Beyond, consider picking up a neodymium magnet and head to the nearest body of water. Who knows? You might just reel in the American Dream, albeit a much damper version.

In any case, it’s an adventure that pays, sometimes in unexpected dividends—and occasionally, in crisp, reconstructed Benjamin Franklins. (CBS, USA Today, Fox, ABC).