New the the SMB... Line/spool?

[www.freedomfilm.com]

Bought a new SMB from SCUBATOYS (Thanks Larry). The "Large Safety Stop Signal with Dump Valve"
http://www.scubatoys.com/store/Scuba_Acc_signal.asp

Mostly will be used for safety stops when boat diving in the Caribbean, and drift diving/safety in BC/Vancouver. Any hints? Here is my big question: Line recommendations please... Spool?

The dive masters in Coz I have seen use them just with 15ft or so of line wrapped around them. What are you all using?
Thanks.

 

[Diver Dennis]

I have a similar SMB. I use a 100' finger spool, works great. I do a fair bit of solo diving and always shoot it and drag it around after 60 minutes so the boat knows where I am.

 

[Mark Vlahos]

Finger spool, 100 to 150 feet of line because on a drift dive the marker will not be directly above you but rather on an angle.

Mark Vlahos

 

[String]

Nice big Mcmahon reel:

Comes with 50m (170ft) of line.

Great for deploying from the bottom before surfacing or for a towed marker if drifting.

 

[redacted]

Finger spool, 100 ft of line. I don't see myself deploying from any deeper that 50 to 60 ft. So far, deployments have all been from 20 to 30 ft.

 

[Rick Murchison]

This is one of those "it depends" answers.
Most of the time I use a spool. But if we're deep and freeboating, I'll use a reel so I can shoot from the site, which makes the boat's job a whole lot easier when there's current. I have also learned that layered currents can cause you to need considerably more scope than your depth when doing deep shots
Rick