09-18-2005, 07:15 PM
[cool][#0000ff]That is a logical question. The simple answer is that you do not NEED them, but it is good to wear them, for many reasons.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The oars on a pontoon craft work very well to move you across the water. They allow you to move faster and cover more water. However, they are not good for helping you maintain your position or for moving only a short distance while you are fishing. A good pair of fins lets you fish "hands-free", with the oars stowed in their inactive position. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If there is absolutely no breeze at all, it is not much trouble to keep fishing, without worrying about having your pontoon blow you away from the area you are fishing. But, since pontoons sit higher in the water, they catch the wind more and they move across the water with even the slightest breeze. That makes it almost impossible to keep fishing if you must work the oars all the time. You need either a good anchor or a set of fins...or both.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Wearing fins can also help you steer your pontoon if you have a lot of strength but are not good at rowing in a straight line. Even the guys that hook up electric trolling motors will sometimes just let the motor run, while trolling, and use their fins to steer.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The last reason for at least taking fins with you on your pontoon is as a "backup" system. You can break an oar, or lose one while fishing. Without both oars, you will either have to use the remaining oar as a paddle (very tough in a pontoon) or hope the wind blows you in the right direction to where you left your vehicle. Fins are not as fast or efficient as oars, but they can at least help you move in the direction you want to go.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The oars on a pontoon craft work very well to move you across the water. They allow you to move faster and cover more water. However, they are not good for helping you maintain your position or for moving only a short distance while you are fishing. A good pair of fins lets you fish "hands-free", with the oars stowed in their inactive position. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If there is absolutely no breeze at all, it is not much trouble to keep fishing, without worrying about having your pontoon blow you away from the area you are fishing. But, since pontoons sit higher in the water, they catch the wind more and they move across the water with even the slightest breeze. That makes it almost impossible to keep fishing if you must work the oars all the time. You need either a good anchor or a set of fins...or both.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Wearing fins can also help you steer your pontoon if you have a lot of strength but are not good at rowing in a straight line. Even the guys that hook up electric trolling motors will sometimes just let the motor run, while trolling, and use their fins to steer.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The last reason for at least taking fins with you on your pontoon is as a "backup" system. You can break an oar, or lose one while fishing. Without both oars, you will either have to use the remaining oar as a paddle (very tough in a pontoon) or hope the wind blows you in the right direction to where you left your vehicle. Fins are not as fast or efficient as oars, but they can at least help you move in the direction you want to go.[/#0000ff]
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