Reef hook recommendations

[chillyinCanada]

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.

Do you hold the reel or do you attach the reel to you?

 

[chillyinCanada]

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

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

 

[NaCl H2O]

Do you hold the reel or do you attach the reel to you?

The line with the double ender being connected to the diver is run through the holes in the reel.
Then wind the rest of the line on to the reel.
I clip mine to the D ring on the crotch strap, and the hook rides on my waist strap
Look at the second pic Pressurehead posted on page one, reel is integrated on the line.

 

[NaCl H2O]

After looking at PH's pic again, he may have the line tied to the reel?
Either way will work.

 

[Manuel Sam]

I went to the local tackle shop and bought a big shark hook. Filed down the sharp point and added my own rope. Fits in my BCD pocket.

A 14/0 shark hook is what I use. This is widely available - including Amazon. I cut both the point and the barb and sand it smooth.

1. I made mine with about 5 feet of paracord with monofilament core. Much longer than that and in a strong current, you will work even harder to pull yourself aganst the current to where you are able to release the hook. There was an earlier comment about not getting enough elevation with a shorter line. As shown in the video provided by Dan, you put a little air into your BCD to elevate yourself off the bottom. However.....see item 3 below.

2. The reef hook always goes diving with me, even tho only places I've ever used it are in Palau and Maldives, where the guides actually tell you to use one. Everywhere else, I find somewhere to shelter. The snap is clipped to a D-ring, and the hook and line (wound as in the video provided by Dan) goes in one of my BCD pockets.

3. If you did put air into your BCD, the first thing to have everpresent in mind before releasing the hook or if it inadvertently breaks off is to deflate your BCD immediately - otherwise....zoom.....to the moon!! The second thing is to keep that hook in your hand so that you don't snag something or someone as you fly away, and gather the line in as soon as possible - this to me is another reason to not have 10 feet of line. Do the line winding often enough and making those loops becomes almost second nature and can be done during your safety stop.

4. Having read this thread, I think the reel is a great idea.

 

[chillyinCanada]

The line with the double ender being connected to the diver is run through the holes in the reel.
Then wind the rest of the line on to the reel.
I clip mine to the D ring on the crotch strap, and the hook rides on my waist strap
Look at the second pic Pressurehead posted on page one, reel is integrated on the line.

I mean when the hook is deployed. Do you still have the reel attached to your crotch strap?

 

[Joneill]

A 14/0 shark hook is what I use. This is widely available - including Amazon. I cut both the point and the barb and sand it smooth.

1. I made mine with about 5 feet of paracord with monofilament core. Much longer than that and in a strong current, you will work even harder to pull yourself aganst the current to where you are able to release the hook. There was an earlier comment about not getting enough elevation with a shorter line. As shown in the video provided by Dan, you put a little air into your BCD to elevate yourself off the bottom. However.....see item 3 below.

2. The reef hook always goes diving with me, even tho only places I've ever used it are in Palau and Maldives, where the guides actually tell you to use one. Everywhere else, I find somewhere to shelter. The snap is clipped to a D-ring, and the hook and line (wound as in the video provided by Dan) goes in one of my BCD pockets.

3. If you did put air into your BCD, the first thing to have everpresent in mind before releasing the hook or if it inadvertently breaks off is to deflate your BCD immediately - otherwise....zoom.....to the moon!! The second thing is to keep that hook in your hand so that you don't snag something or someone as you fly away, and gather the line in as soon as possible - this to me is another reason to not have 10 feet of line. Do the line winding often enough and making those loops becomes almost second nature and can be done during your safety stop.

4. Having read this thread, I think the reel is a great idea.

I tried the reel setup on my last trip to Raja Ampat and found it to be bulkier than I liked. We also never had to use it on this last trip -perhaps if deploying it multiple times per dive, it would be good - but I find the more compact approach without the reel easier to handle and stow (ymmv). I also find 7 feet to be a good length as 5 seemed a bit too short.

On my 2023 trip, I had the hook break free in a very strong current (Magic Mountain Dive site). Luckily, I reacted quickly and immediately dumped my wing and dropped down out of the current and was able to crawl back up and rehook before I got swept off the site - but a good lesson to be vigilant amd ready to react quickly when using a reef hook in strong currents!

 

[Pressurehead]

I mean when the hook is deployed. Do you still have the reel attached to your crotch strap?

Yes, D ring, or on the waist band if a crotch strap D ring is not used.
In a strong current avoid clipping if off on a chest D ring using a SS B/wing , it will twist and roll you over.
How do I know that? Common sense 'took a break' that day.

Look at the second pic Pressurehead posted on page one, reel is integrated on the line.

Ha, that's an older photo , that method worked very well, I may go back to it, it was quicker to deploy and wind up again , a little bulky to stow.
I want things easy, the tech shorts are stuffed with , well, stuff, spare mask and computer one side, SMB and reel and double enders the other all clipped off with a reef hook if not clipped off to a D ring ready for use.

What is the red stuff on the line near the hook?

Heat shrink tubing. Below is how I snap either method to my waist band on my Hydros Pro with the simple harness (no weight pockets) .

 

[1fish]

Heat shrink tubing. Below is how I snap either method to my waist band on my Hydros Pro with the simple harness (no weight pockets) .

Is the yellow serving on the bolt snaps to add grip or for something else?

 

[Pressurehead]

Is the yellow serving on the bolt snaps to add grip or for something else

If you lend out double enders, you get yours back [and not some cheap copy].
Know what's yours, and grip is a bonus.