What to Look For in a Kayak Fishing Paddle
5-minute read
What are the best features you want to look for when choosing a kayak fishing paddle? We give you a few must-haves along with a couple of bonus features to think about.
(Photo courtesy of Kate Wright)
There are a couple of different ways that kayak anglers use their paddle:
- As their main method of propulsion—This angler is on a tighter budget, values the exercise, or prefers simplicity in their fishing experience.
- As an addition to a pedal or motor system—This angler wants to get to the fishing spot quickly but knows the value of a good paddle for quick and easy maneuvering, and when stealth is most needed.
No matter which one describes you, the features in a reliable kayak fishing paddle are pretty similar:
Your Kayak Fishing Paddle Should Be Quiet
A big difference between quality kayak paddles and box store budget paddles is the design of the blades. A well-designed blade means less flutter in the water, which in turn means less movement and distraction for the fish you’re after. A good blade glides through your strokes with ease, with a quiet entry and exit every time.
You also want one you can lie on your kayak (preferably in a paddle holder that keeps it out of your way when casting and reeling) without it clunking around because it’s heavy and clumsy to handle. The lighter your paddle, the easier it is to set down quietly, without disturbing the fish. And a fiberglass or carbon shaft is generally quieter than an aluminum shaft.
You Want Your Paddle to Be Durable
A durable paddle will, of course, last longer than one that isn’t. The most important parts of a kayak fishing paddle to consider are the two blades. What material are they made of? Do they have edge protection along the most vulnerable parts of the blades—the parts that constantly meet with sand, grit, gravel and rocks?
Features like our proprietary Lam-Lok™ edge protection add years of life to a fishing kayak (photo courtesy of Cameron Smith)
Another important mechanism to consider is the ferrule system, which connects the two halves of the paddle. Any paddle you choose should have a ferrule system that will continue to work easily and faithfully day in and day out, every time you put it together and take it apart. It should continue to fit snugly so you don’t get “paddle wobble” in a year or two.
An Adjustable Paddle is a Huge Plus
While definitely not a requirement, a kayak fishing paddle that’s length-adjustable can be a real plus. Anytime you can use the same paddle for fishing kayaks of different widths, that’s a money-saver and a space-saver.
An adjustable paddle is also ideal if you’re outfitting your family for fishing adventures. It can grow with a young person, preventing you from having to invest in a new paddle every year. Or it can be passed around between family members or loaned to a friend and still be usable, even when they all vary in height.
A Lightweight Paddle Means Less Fatigue and Soreness
Beyond being easier to handle and quieter overall, a lightweight paddle can really boost your enjoyment during your kayak fishing excursions. Especially if you use your paddle as your main method of propulsion.
A lightweight paddle makes movement so easy (photo courtesy of Luis Delgado)
A kayak paddle that weighs 30 ounces has a lower swing weight than a paddle that weighs 40 ounces. Multiply that swing weight over several hours of fishing, and you’ve saved yourself a whole lot of fatigue because of that lower weight. And if you’re more of a weekend warrior, it’ll also save you some muscle soreness the next day.
A High-Visibility Paddle Makes You Easier to See
If you mainly fish small waterways and rivers where larger motor boats can’t go, visibility isn’t as much of an issue. But if you plan to fish in bigger water regularly, you want other boaters to be able to see you easily.
A great way to add visibility when you’re on the water is with a kayak paddle that has brightly-colored blades. Again, not a requirement (especially if you have other high-viz items like your kayak, PDF or flag), but something to think about.
Your kayak fishing paddle can be high-visibility and a work of art (photo courtesy of Peter Yeung)
Do You Want Your Paddle to Look Like a Work of Art?
Maybe you never thought a kayak fishing paddle could be beautiful. Well, welcome to Bending Branches! If aesthetics is important to you, know that your paddle doesn’t have to be ugly or even “meh.”
We offer paddles in some very cool color options, like Copperhead and Glowtek (see the above photo), that have gone through an extensive design and hand-constructed process. They don’t just perform well, they look amazing.
If you prefer a traditional wood paddle, we have those, too. A beautiful combination of lightweight woods of different colors that look striking.
Other Fun Features You May Want on Your Paddle
Did you know you can have a tape measure right on your paddle shaft? How convenient is that? Pull a fish up, lay it across your paddle and you have proof right there.
Most Bending Branches kayak fishing paddles have a tape measure printed right on the shaft. It’s not intended for tournament use, but for daily bragging rights, it’s perfect.
A tape measure right on the shaft means you won’t lose it (photo courtesy of Ray Martinez)
Another convenient feature you might be interested in is a hook retrieval system. All our budget and mid-range fishing paddles have a notch in one of the blades designed to help you retrieve a snagged hook under the water.
Check Out Bending Branches’ Entire Line of Kayak Fishing Paddles
Once you decide which of these features are most important to you, you’re ready to shop paddles. Instead of treating your purchase like an afterthought, as many anglers do, consider your paddle an investment in the enjoyment and quality of your kayak fishing experiences. Because it is.
Take a look at our entire line of kayak fishing paddles here.
What paddling questions can our friendly Customer Service team help you with? Contact us at 715-755-3405 or bbinfo@bendingbranches.com, or choose our online chat option.
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