Fiberglass blades are responsive and transfer energy well without unwanted flex. Fiberglassįiberglass sits somewhere in the middle of the range. This reinforcement stiffens the plastic and makes the paddle more responsive. Usually, this will be some form of nylon which is often reinforced with either fiberglass or carbon. Plastic is the cheapest and most durable material used for paddle blades. These materials are used in various ways by different manufacturers to create paddles that perform differently. The shafts on some cheaper models can sometimes be made from aluminum. Kayak paddles are commonly made of three types of materials plastic, fiberglass, and carbon. Materials: What Are Fishing Paddles Made Of?
Keeping your paddle away from your kayak reduces splashing and knocking, both of which can scare off fish. These are better suited to short bursts of energy and therefore aren’t common among kayak anglers. High-angle blades suit narrower boats and more high-paced environments. This style of paddle gives you longer cruising strokes which uses less energy. Wider boats usually lend themselves to a low-angle blade. The choice between a high-angle and a low-angle paddle depends on your style of kayak and your preferred technique. High-angle paddle blades are wider and shorter, made for powerful strokes that move a lot of water. High-angle paddling is a more aggressive style that lets you go faster or push more weight. Paddles made for low-angle paddling have longer and narrower blades.
This is a more relaxed style of paddling that lets you spend many hours on the water. Low-angle paddling is when your upper hand does not go higher than your shoulder. You’ve probably heard about two paddling styles, low-angle paddling and high-angle paddling. They let you quickly change the length of the paddle to suit your needs on the water, rather than carrying a spare or dealing with a paddle the wrong length. If you’re undecided about length, there are some adjustable paddle models. You can find Werner’s complete paddle sizing guide on Adjustable Length Paddlesīut what if you have two kayaks? Do you need a paddle for each one? Or what if your kayak has a framed seat with high and low positions (or, as is the case with FeelFree Lure, 10 height positions)? They have separate sizing charts for high-angle and low-angle kayak fishing paddles: Here’s a link to Aqua-Bound’s complete paddle sizing guide. They also don’t make paddles longer than 250 cm, so if you’re tall and/or have a wide kayak, you might want to check other manufacturers. Aqua-Bound Paddle Sizing GuideĪqua-Bound does not have a separate sizing guide for fishing paddles. Here’s what major paddle brands recommend: Bending Branches Fishing Paddle Sizing GuideĬheck Bending Branches’ complete sizing guide here. The recommended sizes differ depending on the manufacturer. The length of the paddle is determined by your height and the width of your kayak. Modern sit-on-top kayaks also often have framed seats that are raised above the deck.Ĭombine these two factors and you need to have a much longer paddle to avoid hunching in order to reach the water. Too long and you will find the paddle feels heavy and difficult to use.įishing kayaks are usually much wider than other styles of kayaks. Too short and you won’t be able to comfortably reach the water and use proper technique. Size is perhaps the most important factor when picking a paddle. Shaft Material: Carbon and fiberglass blendīlade Material: Fiberglass reinforced polypropyleneīlade Material:Fiberglass polypropylene blendīlade Material: epX Engineered Polymer, Fiberglass reinforcedīest Paddles for Kayak Fishing: Factors to Consider Paddle Length: What size of paddle do you need for kayak fishing? Quick Answer: Best Kayak Fishing Paddles Model Finding the right paddle to suit you is important if you want to get the most out of your day of fishing.