Northwest Fishing Reports

I'm posting this here and on the Fly Fishing forum. I need help from our members on kick fins.

I have a new pontoon boat coming and I want the best bang for the buck as far as Kick Fins go. If I had an unlimited checking account I'd go for Force Fins without a second thought. But, I'm dealing with reality and need to find some kick fins whose price isn't compared to gas prices. In my book $150 is a ridiculous price for fins. They're great fins, but I won't pay that much. So, I'm asking your opinions on this subject. What fins would you buy if you had $50 or less to spend? $30 or less would be even better. Thanks in advance for your help.

You said "Pontoon boat", I thought all pontoon boats came with oars? You aren't talking about a float tube are you? If it's a float tube, I wouldn't worry about what kind of fins you get. Almost any fin on your feet will propel you just fine. Now, if it is a pontoon boat,, I think you're in for some work pushing it by fins.

quadradomus wrote:You said "Pontoon boat", I thought all pontoon boats came with oars? You aren't talking about a float tube are you? If it's a float tube, I wouldn't worry about what kind of fins you get. Almost any fin on your feet will propel you just fine. Now, if it is a pontoon boat,, I think you're in for some work pushing it by fins.

Pish Tah! I disagree Quadradomus

Call me, Joe. These are the kind you want, providing you have wading shoes:

http://www.bobmarriottsflyfishingstore. ... x?ID=17427

Fins are good to have as there are times that you need to use both hands in fly casting, just making a drift adjustment, moving a few feet to get in casting range, or manuvering to land a fish. I now have Force adjustables but have used several other brands. Often the best deals are on dive fins. Whatever you do buy make sure that you get some keepers so you don't lose a fin in the water.

I think I'm going with the fin that Marc endorsed. They look strong, are decently priced, and they float.
Thanks Marc.

Marc Martyn wrote:

quadradomus wrote:You said "Pontoon boat", I thought all pontoon boats came with oars? You aren't talking about a float tube are you? If it's a float tube, I wouldn't worry about what kind of fins you get. Almost any fin on your feet will propel you just fine. Now, if it is a pontoon boat,, I think you're in for some work pushing it by fins.

Pish Tah! I disagree Quadradomus

Call me, Joe. These are the kind you want, providing you have wading shoes:

http://www.bobmarriottsflyfishingstore. ... x?ID=17427

Hey Marc, not to hi-jack the thread.... but seriously, what is different about these fins? I mean, I have a tube and fins, and I kick and I go, etc. but if there is something really good about these let me know.(don't get me wrong, I'm not dissin' you, but maybe I could have much better set of fins for cheap??

The fins that I suggested are the ones that I use. I bought mine about 17 years ago. They are still working great and have held up very well.
I think the feature that works the best with these is the "spines" or ribs on the top of the fins. It adds rigidity to the fin itself and also adds stability to the fins movement. It is kind of like the rails under an aluminum boat. Force fins have a cupped design. They basically capture water and push it. They are very good fins, but very pricey.

Several fins are too short. A friend of mine has some fins made by Caddis also, but they are shorter and not as flexible. I noticed that he has to kick real hard to keep up with me: http://www.bobmarriottsflyfishingstore. ... x?ID=17428

I prefer fins that go over a wading boot. I have used the "slip on" type that go over your waders. I noticed that I was getting ankle fatigue and sometimes they would reduce circulation and cause my foot to go numb. Wearing boots both supports your ankles and also protects your waders when you go to shore and walk on gravel and wet algae covered rocks.

The strings that are on mine do look very funky. I replaced the laces soon after I bought them with braided nylon cord. They hold the fin tightly and are very comfortable. I have kicked very hard with them on and have never had one loosen up or lose one.

I hope that this has helped some. Everyone has their favorite, these are mine.

I finally bought the fins that Marc suggested. I found them at Sportsman's Warehouse today. They were the old style fins and the only ones they had left. I asked for a discount because they were the old style and they gave me 5% off.

Those fins are great.I am going on 17 years with them too.Only had to replace the laces.

The fins I bought were missing the lace keepers. A small and insignificant part. Marc suggested that I email Caddis and explain, so I did. They replied right away and they are sending the keepers out to me at no charge.
AWESOME SERVICE CADDIS!

cool well now I know what fins to get, now just need to find the right type of wading shoe...maybe my old hiking boots will work?

ruthven78 wrote:cool well now I know what fins to get, now just need to find the right type of wading shoe...maybe my old hiking boots will work?

What size shoe do you wear? I have a pair of Hodgman canvas wading shoes with a felt sole I'd be willing to let go of (cheapish).

well often depends on the manufacturer, i usually wear a 10.5 wide but I know they dont do half sizes usually in waders and wading boots so an 11 would be my guess

ruthven78,
I just looked. They are a size 10. Probably too small. Let me know if you think you can squeeze into them.

Lotech Joe wrote:ruthven78,
I just looked. They are a size 10. Probably too small. Let me know if you think you can squeeze into them.

they will prbably be too small, at least width wise..I have really flat feet and so was told over the years while growing up it caused my feet to grow wide...not sure if that is an accurate explanation but all i know is I have wide feet lol. thanks though

I use diving fins they work great with plenty of flex and speed.

Lotech Joe wrote:ruthven78,
I just looked. They are a size 10. Probably too small. Let me know if you think you can squeeze into them.

Do they make size 15 fins? Yikes!

These are the ones I use with my float tube:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... 55581007-2



I bought these last summer right before my knee replacement surgery. My surgeon does a lot of diving and he recommended these, said they were low-impact on the knee and lightweight. I can easily move forward or backward with just a flick of my ankles. I'm taking the tube out for the first time since my surgery this coming Saturday, so we'll see how well they work with titanium inserts hehe....

Hey Aaron,
Do those fins work with wading shoes?
Good price if they do.

Sportsman's still out of stock on the Caddis fins, and I didnt see them at Big 5 on division but when I called today they said thy had them in stock. So from what Caddis said the two Big 5 stores and Sportsman's Warehouse sells them.