Flippers

[DanL]

Along with my new tube I bought some new flippers. One pair are diving flippers, I snorkel so they will get used no matter what, and the others are for tubes and fit over the shoes. In the past I have used the goofy looking old side flippers and actually like them pretty well. They move you forward and they move you slowly and silently. Since most of my toobing in the past has been in small lakes of 2 to 17 acres the speed was not a problem. I plan on expanding my range though and the flippers are better for propulsion. My question is how the heck do you fish going backwards. I have tried cheepo flippers in the past and they were frustrating as hell. Every time I got a bight I found myself backing away from where I wanted to be and had to turn my back to get back in range. The side fins are a lot nicer when you are fishing. It is like on my bass boat, the trolling motor is on front and I go forwards. I am fishing as I move along and can work a bank in my old tube much the same as I do from the boat. Is there some technique or special method that I am unaware of?? How do y’all deal with this issue? I gave paddles a try yesterday and they actually worked pretty well. I bought a pair of those plastic three piece oars and only used the blade and one section of handle. I wore my side fins and went forward to fish and backwards to travel. I may just carry both and switch types of fins from one to the other according to whether I am on the move or working and area. On my old tube, I kept a pair of little kid flippers clipped to the sides of the tube and used them for my reverse when I just wanted to back away a little. I like the ease of movement the dive fins give but the backwards thing is a pain! ?????? Is there a better way?
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