Reef hook recommendations

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Chain shortening [we called it in the Navy] , chain sinnet knot, in the civilian world.
I thought you liked the line on a reel like me Dan, going to make another, so simple.
The other bolt snap would be attached at the usual place (loop around both left & right tummy D-rings). So when I’m ready to deploy the reef hook,

I use another double ended bolt snap on the hook ring (like Dan) if I think it is needed that dive,
IMG_20250409_064225.jpg
stowed in my tech shorts, also easy to deploy​

 
Another thing I like about the reel is it's adjustable.
I'm able to reel down to get a closer look at bottom dwellers or go up to get above other divers.
Easy to do and stays put.
 
You’re image is a single hook in fact that’s the one Inwas thinking about getting

Yeah either works...double is more secure IMO.
 
I use a double hook and strongly recommend against it. The way the two hooks are angled outwards, it is almost impossible to secure both at once to a rock, leaving me in a precarious position at times, (with just a single hook having a somewhat secure but badly angled hold) and me constantly watching the hook to ensure it doesn’t suddenly come loose. At times, I found myself moving from place to place trying to dig my hook in, while the others with single hooks are comfortably set at first try and enjoying the scenery. And thus there were those rare days when I mostly missed out on the Shark action - either looking down at my reef hook and constantly adjusting the hold, or searching for another spot and repositioning myself because I was preoccupied with ensuring I don’t fly away in the strong currents (with an inflated wing) and lose myself, resulting in an unwanted news item about a missing diver ….

Just get a single hook and enjoy your diving …
 
I use a double hook and strongly recommend against it. The way the two hooks are angled outwards, it is almost impossible to secure both at once to a rock, leaving me in a precarious position at times, constantly watching the hook to ensure it doesn’t suddenly come loose. At times, I found myself moving from place to place trying to dig my hook in, while the others with single hooks are comfortably set at first try and enjoying the scenery. And then there were those days when I mostly missed out on the Shark action because I was preoccupied with ensuring I don’t fly away with the strong currents (with an inflated wing) and lose myself resulting in an unwanted news item about a missing diver ….

Yep. Same here. I ditched my dual reef hook with coiled wire (as shown, below) and salvaged the bolt snaps for my single reef hook.


Don’t use this type of reef hook.

IMG_6237.jpeg
 
I use a double hook and strongly recommend against it. The way the two hooks are angled outwards, it is almost impossible to secure both at once to a rock, leaving me in a precarious position at times, (with just a single hook having a somewhat secure but badly angled hold) and me constantly watching the hook to ensure it doesn’t suddenly come loose. At times, I found myself moving from place to place trying to dig my hook in, while the others with single hooks are comfortably set at first try and enjoying the scenery. And thus there were those rare days when I mostly missed out on the Shark action - either looking down at my reef hook and constantly adjusting the hold, or searching for another spot and repositioning myself because I was preoccupied with ensuring I don’t fly away in the strong currents (with an inflated wing) and lose myself, resulting in an unwanted news item about a missing diver ….

Just get a single hook and enjoy your diving …
Agreed! I started with a double-hook and came to quickly hate it. Very often the hooking surface (a chunk of varying rock) doesn't allow for both prongs to be used simultaneously. Even worse, you can end up with the hooks pivoting from one to the other, where neither is bedded-down sufficiently. Also they're harder to stow because they're not flat.

Single hook is the only way to go.

FWIW I've haven't been in a situation where a variable-length line (i.e. from a spool) would have helped all that much, and in strong channel currents I doubt I'd be able to wind in a tiny spool against the current. A simple 1.5m of strong paracord does the job
 
Just home from my first R4 and reef hook experience. I don’t think single or double hook matters a lot but I can tell you that you do want a longer line than the stand 6 foot length many come with. That is not enough to raise you far enough above the reef in current.

Another item I found even more useful was a pointer stick.

+1

A very strong pointer stick, steel, not aluminum, with a wrist lanyard.

I'm a single hook fan and yes, I do have a double as well but never use it.
 

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