Reef hook recommendations

[boqurant]

I agree with everything you've said except that for me, your paracord isn't long enough.

In fairness, the line is 2m, plus 0.1m for a loop of paracord that I've used to make the hooks interchangable on the end of the line, minus 0.3m for the boltsnap that I tied to allow a clip-off to crotch strap (so that the storage pouch on waist strap is not under tension).

It's probably 1.8m when all's said and done, plus boltsnap, and the crotch strap has a little slack, so I'd say I can keep my center of mass up to approx 2m away from the hooked surface. It's worked excellently in high current situations in Maldivian channels

 

[Pearlman]

Speaking of attaching the hook-line to the crotch strap - how many of you use a serrated triglider for the D-Ring over there? I find that the non-serrated one moves up a bit and cause discomfort when strong currents exert their force on you with the taut hook-line…

 

[Soloist]

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

Exactly. My new favorite thing! Before our trip to Lembeh we watched several muck diving videos from the area and noticed the guides all had extra long stainless pointers, so I made one out of some leftover 1/4" stainless rod just prior to to our trip. It worked amazingly well, especially when using the camera for closeups. I planned on using my short pointer in Raja Ampat, but found the long pointer worked extremely well for maintaining my distance from the reef when taking video, anchoring in crevices in strong currents and safely pushing away from the reef. Unfortunately it's a major PITA on the dive deck, so I would clip it to my harness just prior to exiting the boat and unclip it immediately upon return.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Exactly. My new favorite thing! Before our trip to Lembeh we watched several muck diving videos from the area and noticed the guides all had extra long stainless pointers, so I made one out of some leftover 1/4" stainless rod just prior to to our trip. It worked amazingly well, especially when using the camera for closeups. I planned on using my short pointer in Raja Ampat, but found the long pointer worked extremely well for maintaining my distance from the reef when taking video, anchoring in crevices in strong currents and safely pushing away from the reef. Unfortunately it's a major PITA on the dive deck, so I would clip it to my harness just prior to exiting the boat and unclip it immediately upon return.

View attachment 893186

Mine was made in Bangka. It's a lively thing extra long. I used to have two but one was absconded with last time I was in Bangka. The absconding diver, once home snd contacted by me, acknowledged that indeed they had said pointer but thete was no offer to return it to me. Sigh

I will have to find a way to make my remaining pointer from Bangka so distinctive that no one will ever mistake it for their own. Nor the dm who gathered up said divers gear and supposedly this is wear the fault actually lay.

What is that black near the top of your pointers?

 

[Luko]

Mine was made in Bangka. It's a lively thing extra long.

I had also one given by my favorite guide in Bangka.
I lost it a couple of years after... also in Bangka, which seems to be the Bermudas triangle of muck sticks.
If ever someone finds an extra long muck stick on the shallows of Batu Mandi. (a hint for replacing your absconded one )

 

[chillyinCanada]

I had also one given by my favorite guide in Bangka.
I lost it a couple of years after... also in Bangka, which seems to be the Bermudas triangle of muck sticks.
If ever someone finds an extra long muck stick on the shallows of Batu Mandi. (a hint for replacing your absconded one)

I'm no Soloist. I will have to find someone hete who can make me one OR return to Bangka!

Luko, our favorite is in Bali now, as you well know. You don't stay at Absolute, IIRC, but do you dive with them anyway?

 

[Luko]

You don't stay at Absolute, IIRC, but do you dive with them anyway?

It's been a while I haven't been back to PB (Ok, a while for me means... 2 years), I had been diving all this time with Geko although everytime I was there I stop at Absolute to see our friend and say hi.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Luko, I've taken this thread off topic. Do you mind if I send you a dm?

 

[Dan]

Exactly. My new favorite thing! Before our trip to Lembeh we watched several muck diving videos from the area and noticed the guides all had extra long stainless pointers, so I made one out of some leftover 1/4" stainless rod just prior to to our trip. It worked amazingly well, especially when using the camera for closeups. I planned on using my short pointer in Raja Ampat, but found the long pointer worked extremely well for maintaining my distance from the reef when taking video, anchoring in crevices in strong currents and safely pushing away from the reef. Unfortunately it's a major PITA on the dive deck, so I would clip it to my harness just prior to exiting the boat and unclip it immediately upon return.

View attachment 893186

Some DMs have a mini version of it (more like a piece of wire to me) for pointing little stuff like Pontohi which I hardly see with my naked eyes.

 

[Luko]

Some DMs have a mini version of it (more like a a pice of wire to me)

I bring a few bamboo sate sticks along with my muck stick.
That's something I learnt from the Tulamben dive guides.