Fin advice

[Jack Murphy]

Looking to get a set of fins for my pontoon and don't really know what to look for (or if different fins make any difference.)

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[barbless]

If you did a search on this topic (I recall at least two "recent" threads) I think you will find that most people dig Force Fins - I know I do. Twice the speed for half the effort of all other fins out there. They are expensive, but worth the money.

[Richard]

Jack, get the Force Fins. If you don't, not long after you've had the others you'll wish you popped for the few extra bucks to get the Force Fins. Take it from someone who went down that same route, and eventually ended up with Force Fins.

Don't evaluate the purchase based on the initial cost of the Force Fins; you're going to buy fins regardless, so look at the 'true cost' of the Force Fins as the difference in costs between whatever it is you might consider and the Force Fins.

More efficient, faster, you're less tired at the end of the day and your knees will hold up better; it really is amazing the jump in performance the Force Fins provide.

From time to time folks sell them in the Classifieds; think about what you size you need, and post a "Wanted" ad in the Classifieds. You may be surprised what pops up (or, may not pop up). :thumb:

[tomc]

You know... I started with a pair of light cheap fins. I then felt the need to buy a pair of force fins (actually traded boat building labor for the fins). I think I kick about the same with each pair. I am not out there on the lake trying to water ski, just kickin around. Maybe my technique is all wrong, but I do not notice a huge difference between the $30 dollar pair and the $140 dollar pair. I have an extra float tube that I lend to visiting guests and let them use the Force fins because I have no preference with the one exception of weight. I always take the cheap fins when I pack-in.
Tom C.

[chadk]

For very small lakes with little to no wind, the cheapo step in fins are fine:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0029657318113a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=fins&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=fins&noImage=0

As noted, they also tend to be lighter for packing if you are into that.

My dad happened to pick up (for next to nothing) a used pair of split divers fins that were actually large enough to fit my wading boots. I've used them a few times in rivers and lakes and like them much better than the step in kind as I linked above. I don't know how they compare to force fins, but the price was right and the performance has been improved over what I had - so that works for me.

Not sure the make\model, but they look something like this:

http://www.onlinescuba.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=4102

[Itchy Dog]

Whatever you get, make sure they have an ankle strap and/or float.
I have one pair that doesn't have an ankle strap, and kick it off on the Yak last fall. Luckily it floated so I could chase it down.

[speyfisher]

Force fins are popular because you can put them on while on dry land and walk forward into the lake. But dive fins are more efficient. And the most effecient are the snorkle fins. They are huge. They will give your legs a work out. But you'll get used to them. Put them on while sitting in your tube, in the water. Whatever you get make sure they float. And get some tether straps, just in case.

[Skookumchuck Kid]

Force fins are fantastic

[ifsteve]

I have used Scuba Pros for years. They are a bit heavy but they flat out move the water. If you fish anyplace that gets wind then don't even think about a cheap pair. Force Fins or scuba fins are the way to go.

And for what its worth, I used to race float tubes during TU dinners for fund raising. We did Calcutta auctions etc. Nobody ever beat my brother and I running our Scuba Pros. He earned the nickname "evinrude" cause I do think you could dang near water ski behind him. Of course, when you are out fishing you are not in a race but when that wind comes up and you are downwind of where you need to go you will be gald you spent the money. Besides they last forever so you only got to pay once.

[cabezon]

I use fins under two circumstances. When I am using my pontoon boat in a lake, I am typically not using my wading boots and therefore the fins only have to fit over neoprene booties or my breathables. Scuba fins work great under this circumstance (and you should be able to pick up a pair cheap from a yard sale or even a dive shop that is upgrading their rentals). Always carry an extra strap as they do wear out. I had to get all McGiverish during one multi-day trip to Leech Lake when one of my fin straps snapped.

The other circumstance for using fins is on the Yak or another river when I want to fish on the move and also wade. Fins keep the pontoon boat oriented at the right distance from the bank. On the Yak, I wear wading boots and the opening for the foot in most scuba fins is not large enough for wading boots. For these, I use step-ins (actually an older version of the step-ins). They are not as powerful as scuba fins, but they are much easier to get on and off. Also, because they are shorter than scuba fins, I'm a bit less paranoid about getting my leg broken after a fin becomes lodged under a boulder in shallow water.

Steve

[theworm]

I am guessing that since you are in a pontoon, you will not be using fins as your primary mode of transportation? You will be rowing to places that are long distances and then kicking once you get there. If this is the case, I would not fork out for the force fins.

Last spring we did two trips a day into Grimes for 3 days, one trip in the morning and one at night. If you know Grimes, you know the distance that this covers. I used a float tube and I didn't use force fins. I never felt fatigue in my legs though. It was just a little slow going. IMHO, I think that everyone has their own individual kicking stroke. For some people, they may need a little more efficient fin if they are using fins as their primary mode of transportation. For others, it really doesn't matter.

The only thing that peaks my curiosity about the force fins is the overall speed of the fins. There are about 4 or 5 trips a year where I could use a fin that would move just a little quicker. I just don't know if it is worth it to fork out the money for that little added benefit though.

[shawn k]

I use to dive for abalone along the ca coast. I have a pair of dive fins. When i bought my pontoon boat the guy at the shop sold me a pair of force fins. force fins suck. I took them back. Go to a dive shop and buy a good pair of dive fins.

[Ron McNeal]

You might try to borrow a pair of Force Fins to try out. Their cost is significantly more than the other typical options. Then, you could judge them for yourself. For what it's worth, I've always used Force Fins & think they're worth their cost. When I go to a lake I never take my oars - I just use my fins and, as a result, always have my rod in my hands and never get the fly line or leader hung up in the oars or oar locks. My boat is small though - not one of those big ones you could take down the Colorado. I've never had any experience with the "dive" fins, but it sounds like they'd be a good option. You might try to borrow a pair of those too.