Fishing Forum

I'm sure about every few months or so, someone new (like me) shows up asking about what fins to get for their float tube. First of all, take TubeDude's advice and get them LAST. He has written a few posts on things to consider when getting fins for tubing. I know some prefer to use the type of fins I originally bought which are the Caddis Kick Tube fins. They ain't bad but they ain't great. I used them on a few trips with my wader boots. They work but you don't get tons of propulsion from them.
Wildcat94 and TubeBabe both suggested I get new fins so I didn't have to work so hard to propel my considerable mass through the water. Based on TubeDude's and Wildcat94's advice, I got some Mares Avanti X3 fins. They showed up at my house this morning so I braved the weather and hit Utah Lake for a couple of hours. The difference was unbelievable. I wear a size 10.5 or 11 shoe (depends on the brand) and I bought the fins in the Regular size. I got them from [url "http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/MRSFAX.html"]Leisure Pro[/url]. I wasn't working half as hard as with the Caddis fins and got way more propulsion from them.
Hopefully this will help someone in the future who is looking for a good set of fins at a decent price.
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[cool][#0000ff]See. Told ya.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We are gradually gettin' you all put together. 'Bout time too. The weather is gonna break and the fish are gonna be waitin' for ya. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Now we gotta work on getting you some REAL bait. Crawlers are for wimps and whities.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One word of caution on the fins. Don't get overconfident and take on too much of an excursion before you are used to them. Yeah, they may seem easier but you are still putting out a lot of energy and if you are using muscles you ain't used to using you will go cramp city.[/#0000ff]
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I'm ready for some serious fishing. I'm suffering from a lack of fried fish. I typically have a few crawlers with me just in case the white bass or gills come out to play. Dr. V caught a nice carp this afternoon to cut up as bait. I caught a huge one last week but the stupid fish jumped back into the lake.
Thanks for the reminder about overexerting myself. I will be careful for sure![:p]
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I take it that boots are not used with these fins, just the stocking feet of the waders?
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[cool][#0000ff]You do not need heavy wading boots but you should have some kind of protection between the soft neoprene foot pockets of the waders and the surface upon which you are walking. All you need is some kind of protective sole. Most tubers use divers' booties or thin nylon water walkers (reef shoes). These usually do not add substantially to the bulk that has to fit inside your fins.[/#0000ff]
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You mentioned: "[#0000ff]Most tubers use divers' booties or thin nylon water walkers (reef shoes)"


[/#0000ff][#0000ff]Where is a good place to get these?[/#0000ff][#0000ff]

[/#0000ff][#0000ff]Thanks for the reply.[/#0000ff][#0000ff]
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You can get water shoes (the thin nylon shoes) at wally world or sportman's warehouse. I've seen the diver booties online. I haven't tried the booties yet but either should work.
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[quote Gibbyutah]You mentioned: "[#0000ff]Most tubers use divers' booties or thin nylon water walkers (reef shoes)"


[/#0000ff][#0000ff]Where is a good place to get these?[/#0000ff][#0000ff]

[/#0000ff][#0000ff]Thanks for the reply.[/#0000ff][#0000ff]
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NRS always has a great selection of them. I have these:



http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?p...eptid=1141
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[cool][#0000ff]This is a good time of year to find the reef shoes. Almost every sporting goods outlet and department store with a shoe section will have them for sale at a reasonable price. Be sure to get a couple of sizes larger than for wearing with bare feet.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Dive boots can be found at any dive shop. But you get a lot better deals online. Leisurepro or Scuba.com are a couple of good sources. Buy the thin 2mm material in low cut. The soles will be the same as high top and easier to get on or off. In fact I always cut a slit in the top of mine to make them easier to get on.[/#0000ff]
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I just bought the same ones(Mares Avanti X3) at sport chalet for $70. I havent had time to use them. My point is that if your in the market for fins the Scuba show is in Southern Ca. in LB. They usually have pretty good deals on stuff. Just a FYI. I was going to wait to buy them there but I may have to work this weekend.

Happy Floating[]
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Congradulations Wagdog on the new fins .
I would like to get a pair of those but There are no places to try them on my 11 4E duckfeet.
I have decided to option instead for a pair of $70.00 high end ones from a local Dick's Sporting Goods.
I can take my waders in there and try them for size. Illinoisgiller
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Leisurepro has what they call their PFF guarantee. Basically, if they don't fit, they'll let you exchange them until they do fit, and they pay the shipping for the exchanges.

That's about as close to a sure thing as you'll get in the online biz.
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For my water shoes I use a pair of $8 Walmart water shoes in about 2 sizes larger than my regular shoe size. I lucked out and they fit fine over my waders and in my scuba fins.
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michaelnel-- Thank you for the information about Leisurepro. My Avanti X3 black are on order. Thanks again. Illinoisgiller
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