Getting high current from AA batteries

I am trying to increase the strength of my electromagnet, at the moment by increasing the amperage. I have been using an old 12V motorcycle battery, but also tried with 10 AA batteries.

I was wondering how I could connect the AA batteries to get a high current, so hopefully a stronger magnetic field. I have a very basic knowledge of electronics - I know that connecting batteries in series adds their voltage together. Would this then increase the amperage in the same way?

I have also heard that having batteries in parallel reduces the power drawn from the individual batteries, but are there other advantages of this.

So what I am looking for is a high current from AA batteries - I have about 30 of them. Also, at what point does it become quite dangerous to handle?

Thanks for any help.