Reef hook - 2-pronged or 1-pronged?

[Dogbowl]

I need to buy a reef hook and saw there were 2-pronged and 1-pronged ones. Which is steadier/better? And since we’re here, what length should the rope be? Thanks.

 

[runsongas]

2 is steadier but 1 is easier to find a hook point. the provided hooks on the palau aggressor are single prong. length varies from 3 to 6ft or 1 to 2 m. you can go longer if you wish and then only let out part of the line.

 

[elgoog]

I'll recommend 1 hook - it's more than sufficient to keep you held in place and it's much easier to find a good spot and hook in. I'd say a benefit of 1 hook is that you can get it into more spots as you don't have to think about what angle or where the second one is going to rest on. I used it on a bunch of dives in the Maldives earlier this year and was totally fine even in pretty ripping current.

I think the cord on the one I have is 4ft and it was a little long for my taste. I tied a loop on the middle to shorten it after a couple of dives. I wouldn't worry about it too much - as @runsongas mentioned, they are almost all in the 3-6ft length and trivial to adjust. I was also using one hand applying pressure on it to create tension as well as "bend" the rope to adjust how close or far from the hook point I was staying.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

They also make three pronged. That is the kind I prefer.

 

[Dogbowl]

They also make three pronged. That is the kind I prefer.

Hmm I’ve never seen a 3-pronged in my search.

 

[northernone]

I like a single point for rock. Choosing one solid contact point provides more choices and I rarely have one fail to 'set. In soft sand a BFK style knife works nicely too though.

Cameron

 

[outofofficebrb]

I have a 2 prong but can understand why a 1 prong may be better for finding a smaller spot to fit into. Mine is more of a coil lanyard type material than a rope. I don't have a strong preference for anything reef hook specific but I will mention that if you have the opportunity to use a muck stick (in that it is not prohibited), I would also carry one of those. It's perfect for dives where you don't expect current, or there will be only a little. You can stick it into the sand or select a point on a rock or dead coral to keep yourself from having to kick against the current or from drifting away. It is much easier to use and deploy/remove than a reef hook in mild to moderate current, especially if you are stopping to let others catch up or to see something of interest.

 

[Dogbowl]

I have a 2 prong but can understand why a 1 prong may be better for finding a smaller spot to fit into. Mine is more of a coil lanyard type material than a rope. I don't have a strong preference for anything reef hook specific but I will mention that if you have the opportunity to use a muck stick (in that it is not prohibited), I would also carry one of those. It's perfect for dives where you don't expect current, or there will be only a little. You can stick it into the sand or select a point on a rock or dead coral to keep yourself from having to kick against the current or from drifting away. It is much easier to use and deploy/remove than a reef hook in mild to moderate current, especially if you are stopping to let others catch up or to see something of interest.

I'll put muck stick on my list of things to buy as well. Thanks!

 

[Dan]

1 prong with big hook (3” dia.).

Good point about carrying a-foot long 1/4” dia. stick. I use it more than my reef hook. I feel naked when I go diving without it and always have it on left-wrist strap. I use for (1) steadying myself on a rock while taking picture, (2) pointing out something to my dive buddy, (3) anchoring myself on the sand in a mild current situation, (4) banging it to my tank to get my buddy attention, (5) pushing myself against a rock when a sudden gust of current pushing my back towards the rock while taking picture & I don’t want to touch the hydroid covered rocks (which are abundant in Raja Ampat) and my fins are not designed for going backwards.

 

[Damselfish]

2 might feel more stable but 1 big hook works fine and will often be easier to position. Depending on the hook, possibly also easier to stow without stabbing something.

I prefer my line on the long side. If you are hooking in where where is something behind you (including just a reef slope) you'd like to get above it and not have your fins in it. I replaced my short line after the first time that happened. You can always tie an extra loop partway down to give yourself options. I also usually prefer holding it rather than clipping it to me, I made a loop handle with a bit of plastic tube on it. (In hindsight, better for me to just buy bare hooks and make my own, which is what I've done for friends since.)

Definitely get a stick too .I use that much more than the hook.