Steel Pointer Stick/Tank Banger?

[CompuDude]

Just pointing out the way it tends to be used, not pointing fingers.

Cool beans.

 

[Papa_Bear]

Thank for the Kudos for my dive tool! I will throw in free shipping for anyone who mentions this thread when purchasing a Reed's Rod! It is made of aircraft Aluminum and stainless steel we have two different lengths both come in the camera model.....
We will guarantee our rodes against bending under any dive condition! Send it back and we will replace it for shipping cost!
Two Tanked Productions HD & SD Underwater Productions and video services

 

[Travelnsj]

Thank for the Kudos for my dive tool! I will throw in free shipping for anyone who mentions this thread when purchasing a Reed's Rod! It is made of aircraft Aluminum and stainless steel we have two different lengths both come in the camera model.....
We will guarantee our rodes against bending under any dive condition! Send it back and we will replace it for shipping cost!
Two Tanked Productions HD & SD Underwater Productions and video services

Do you have a shop in Beaumont?....I drive thru there all the time. Katherine certified me before there was a Get Wet Scuba...small world.

 

[Papa_Bear]

No shop, I have been in the pass since 1978! Kathy's shop in Palm Springs and Wiley's SCUBA Locker carries them.....I saw Kathy in Fiji in December and was in her shop in Feb. Then turned around and saw her at Casino Point Feb. 23rd so yes it is a small world!

 

[Papa_Bear]

Very cool blog if I say so myself:
http://www.leedsmond.com/weblog/?page_id=301&preview=true

 

[annasea]

I purchased a 14" stick in the Philippines for $12. Stainless steel, with two holes drilled in either end. A split ring was threaded through one hole which allowed for SS clip to be connected to it in order to attach the stick to a D-ring on my harness. It also came with a snazzy Hello Kitty D) strap so I can wear it on my wrist while diving.

 

[stevenl]

My guide in Lembeh carried two, one was about 12" the other 24". He would do an interesting trick after finding a manta shrimp hole. After first pushing a small piece of rock or dead coral down the hole, and then pushing the longer rod several inches into the sand close the hole, would tap the two steel sticks together with a regular rhythm. After 10-15 seconds, up pops the manta shrimp to check out the disturbance, providing a good photo op.

A nice example of abuse, no matter how well intended (photo) and probably much appreciated by the guests as well.

 

[CompuDude]

A nice example of abuse, no matter how well intended (photo) and probably much appreciated by the guests as well.

Tough call. I'm not sure I'd call "making a sound so the critter gets curious and comes up to look" actual abuse.

We snap our fingers together during Garibaldi mating season... this make a sound [apparently] similar to an aggressive sound the males make, and they often come over to look. Is that "abuse" also? Snapping our fingers? In other areas, rubbing two rocks together makes a grinding noise that often lures parrotfish over to see what's going on. Is that abuse? (so long as we're talking about actual dead rock, and not coral)

I'm less certain about the rock down the hole, although I'm sure the shrimp could push it out fairly easily, but I can't quite bring myself to call tapping two rods together "abuse".

 

[stevenl]

Tough call. I'm not sure I'd call "making a sound so the critter gets curious and comes up to look" actual abuse.

That is not what is happening. Putting a piece of rock or dead coral into its hole is teasing the animal, no matter whether it can push it out yes or no. That together with pushing a stick into the sand close to the hole: IMO teasing and abusing the animal.

 

[MoonWrasse]

And what are they called? It's the lack of an official name to plug into a search engine that's kinda holding me up.

They're called "car antennas".

You can buy them around Phuket at various dive shops.
Some outfits frown upon or disallow non DMs from having these, as they don't want every fool poking at fish, corals, sponges, etc.