Fishing Forum

I looked back through some of the previous posts, but didn't see much info on fins. I curently use the 20.00 wallie world specials. Do the other brands/ designs make a difference? I am not against spending more money on quality fins, but I want to get the bang for my buck. any info is greatly appreciated.
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The fin tethers will be the best investment you make. $6.99
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Do a google search for Hotspot float tube fins. They are made for float tubing, they float back to the surface if one happens to come off your foot. Also they have a fairly wide paddle to get good propulsion.

If you live in So Calif, you can buy them at Turners Outdoorsman.

[url "http://www.hotspotfins.com/about.htm"]LINK TO WEBSITE[/url]
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[cool][#0000ff]There are quite a few past threads on fins under [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=322050;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread"]THE BEST OF THE BEST[/url]. There is also a pictorial thread on fins on the [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=198689;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread"]PICTURE BOARD[/url].[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am also attaching an excerpt on "Swim Fins" from my "book in progress".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In short, whatever moves you through the water efficiently and comfortably is fine. You do not have to blow a car payment on buying fins.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Some of the most high priced fins are the most overrated.[/#0000ff]
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I lost my fins that I got with my pontoon. I replaced them with a Body Glove $20 pair I got at Dick's Sporting Goods. They are the full boot kind. I was sure I would like them as much because it didn't seem the fin area was as large but after taking them out I liked them much much more! it took a lot less effort to move through the water. I'm really impressed with them.
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I lost my fins that I got with my pontoon. I replaced them with a Body Glove $20 pair I got at Dick's Sporting Goods. They are the full boot kind. I was sure I would like them as much because it didn't seem the fin area was as large but after taking them out I liked them much much more! it took a lot less effort to move through the water. I'm really impressed with them.[/reply]

Where the body glove from dicks like these:



And if so, do they fit good over wader feet? Not the boots, but the booties?
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that's them!

I cannot comment on the booties because I haven't tried yet but I imagine they would as long as they're not too thick.
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I use these and love them. I use to use the Brownings and I liked them, hoever i think these give you a better/stiffer foot platform and seem to have a lot of power in them.

[inline planaavantix3.png]
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thank you all for the info.
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The first ones I had were the creek company ones that look similar to those. They worked great. The newer Body Glove ones definitely aren't as stiff. At first I was worried I wouldn't get the propulsion out of them that I did with the CC ones. I think I can get more kicks per minute out of the BG ones because they are softer which may offset the lack of stiffness. Also my legs didn't seem as tired although that could be I'm finally getting into 'kickin shape' [cool]
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One of the things I noticed with my Mares are it seams like if I kick a little slower i get better power, giving teh fin time to go all the way through its movement. It took some getting use to, cause the actual fin amterial was softer but the foot bed is a little more stiff, which I think translates in to less foot fatigue and better power transfer. I am all for the diving fins for float tube applications. How ever if I am ever given a chance to try the Force fins I will, that way I have a basis of comparision.
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The fin tethers will be the best investment you make. $6.99[/reply]

I'm probably just overly fearful, but I get into shallow water with limbs, quite a bit. Sometimes I'll put my feet on these limbs to hold my position. I'm scared the tether could bet entangled. This water is only about 3 to 4 feet deep. If I lose a fin, I figure I could fish it out if I had to. I'm using the basic scuba fins from Bass Pro with neoprene diving boots. Those things form a suction and it takes some tugging to get them off after I unhook the straps. Have you been into any shallow water situations with obstacles, and if you have, any problems with tangling?
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Although I have not seen the floattube fin teathers I have seen these ones. A lot of body boarder use them and they will not get tangled in anything.

[inline "fin teathers.jpg"]
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HEre are a couple of dive sites that have some good prices on fins I have found

[url "http://www.divers-supply.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MAR0001&Click=10085"]DiversSupply[/url]

[url "http://affiliates.divers-direct.com/scripts/ecatalogisapi.dll/item?item=19598&template=CONVERT240CONVRT"]DiversDirect[/url]

[url "http://www.joediveramerica.com/index.php"]Joe Diver[/url]
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This web has a lot of different tethers. Just drill a small hole in your flippers and attach. Even if the fins float. If there is a wind storm that floating fin can well.......float away. Also some ponds have MUD.
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This web has a lot of different tethers. Just drill a small hole in your flippers and attach. Even if the fins float. If there is a wind storm that floating fin can well.......float away. Also some ponds have MUD.[/reply]

I echo the MUD hazard....that is the main reason I got my tethers way back when -- and why they were my best purchase.

During my first dismount on my first time float tubing I went ankle deep in mud and when I pulled up on my foot -- it was without the fin. The same fin that I had just had a successful float test with earlier in the day

Luckily I was able to reach down and dig through about 1 1/2 feet of mud to make the save, while in the meantime (in all my excitement of possibly losing my fin) letting the water come rushing into my waders. :-)

Made for good memories of my first floating trip.

Needless to say, the tethers were my very next purchase.
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Ok, never thought about mud sucking a flipper off. I do dismount sometimes on a soft, muddy bank. It's not uncommon for me to have what feels like a pound of mud stuck to my flippers when I get out.
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