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+--- Thread: Fins for Tubing (/showthread.php?tid=572354)
Fins for Tubing - fish_fear_me2 - 03-19-2010
TD and any other dedicated tubers. Like many newbies I bought a pair of fins made for wader shoes a few years back. I think I am now convinced that I need to graduate to better fins. The ones I have are hard to get on and off the shoes, they are short and are a not the greatest propulsion. Do most of you use divers fins over a stocking foot on your waders? I sometimes have to hike a bit of shorline so do you carry waders boots in your tube? Any particular brands you have had luck with? Local retail outlets for the preferred brand? Any help from you guys that tube would be appreciated
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Re: [fish_fear_me2] Fins for Tubing - albinotrout - 03-19-2010
I use what are called flats boots then slide those into fins. Sportsmans and cabelas carry the creek company fins that have a wrap around that goes behind your ankle. these are much better. Mine are the old browning ones. I would recommend this style to any of the other strap on kind.
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Re: [fish_fear_me2] Fins for Tubing - ydoc - 03-19-2010
Unless it's un-Godly hot, I'll put on my stocking-foot waders while at the car (one less thing to have to carry to the water). To protect the wader "feet", I have an old, over-sized pair of CHEAP "water-shoes". They are LIKE the Speedo ones... basically, just a mesh slip-on "slipper" like. BUT, you can get them for less than $10 at places like Wal-Mart, Target, etc.
I'm usually fishing farm-ponds or remote sites, so I also carry an old piece of scrap-canvas to lay at the water's edge to sit on while I put on my flippers, etc.
I don't leave anything of value on the shore, but if someone came and got my canvas scrap and my "slippers"... no big deal.
Hope that helps.
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Re: [fish_fear_me2] Fins for Tubing - TubeDude - 03-19-2010
[cool][#0000ff]As with most things we use, fins and boots are matters of personal preference and fishing styles, together with budget.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you go over to the archive section and the [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?forum=130"]PICTURE BOARD[/url] you will find lots of past discussion and pictures to help you formulate a new game plan.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Most of us use dive fins, like the Force Fins or the Mares line of adjustable strap fins. You can often score some killer deals at discount dive shops online. PM me and I can make some recommendations.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You need water shoes or booties only for the protective layer they provide between your waders and the ground. During the summer you can fish without waders and use whatever kind of footwear you want.[/#0000ff]
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Re: [fish_fear_me2] Fins for Tubing - flygoddess - 03-19-2010
I prefer the regular wading boots as I also fish rivers. I also have the boot foot Hippers for my pontoon.
My choice is Force Fins hands down.....but they have to be the adjustable type with the Neoprene upper and heel guard.
Fins can be very hard on your boots, and I use Simms so don't want the flippers chewing them up. The Force Fins are perfect.
I have to add, it depends how you kick. I prefer to do the old bounce a child on the foot and scoop the water up, like a spoon in soup.
I have noticed, that allot of people flutter them like a swimmer. Both will get you from point A to point B, but my style, a spoon shaped fin (Force Fin) and fluttering, a softer rubber like the Scuba fins.
Tube Dude loves it when I add this....I can walk forward IN my flippers, even up hill[
] I need that in most conditions when exiting my pontoon as I pull face first into shore because of my motor.[signature]
Re: [flygoddess] Fins for Tubing - fish_fear_me2 - 03-19-2010
Walking forward let alone uphill in my present fins would really get a laugh. I am sure TD would almost laugh himself to death watching me... One step fall, One step fall, I could maybe even get a rythem going Thanks for the advise. The fins I use now are for wader shoes but have a nylon strap that seems to stretch when wet so fins get loose, but then when its time to take the things off. well pretty complicated for us older guys especially facing backwards sitting in water[laugh]
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Re: [fish_fear_me2] Fins for Tubing - flygoddess - 03-19-2010
I too have the flat ones with the molded heel and the strap across the top. Great for hike ins because they are flat, they fit under the seat of the tube.
I will still use them as the Force fins have nubs on the bottom, nice for walking, but not so good on a wet aluminum standing deck, so the smaller ones are great there. Plus I have the oars in that case.
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Re: [fish_fear_me2] Fins for Tubing - TubeDude - 03-19-2010
[cool][#0000ff]You can't officially claim to be a tuber until you have put on a show for several onlookers by trying to walk while wearing fins. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I wish I had a video of some of the better attempts. I wish I had a dollar for every time I have watched someone fall butt over teakettle. Heck, I just wish I had a dollar.[/#0000ff]
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Re: [TubeDude] Fins for Tubing - flygoddess - 03-20-2010
[
] yup! you made me .[signature]
Re: [flygoddess] Fins for Tubing - Bassamatic - 03-20-2010
I use diving model FFs and those $10.00 Walmart rubber soled slippers to protect my stocking foot waders. Works great for me.
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Re: [fish_fear_me2] Fins for Tubing - redfrog - 03-20-2010
I have some from the creek company. 27 bucks at SW. You slip your boot in and there is a strap that comes around behind your ankle. They are more of a divers style of fin. Not bad for the price. I always wear my boots. You just never know what might happen while you are floating around.
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