ROCbass Posted February 21, 2014 Posted February 21, 2014 I've been wanting to get a fishing kayak for a while. This weekend I went into Dick's looking for a ping pong table and went over to the fishing section while I was there. They had the Perception Sport Caster 12.5 on clearance, and I brought one home with me the next day ( I had to wait a day because there was no room on top of the car with the ping pong table up there). I can't wait to get this thing out on the water! I still need to get a paddle though. Any suggestions on that front? I don't really know what to look for in a paddle as far as length,blade style, etc. Would it be a huge mistake to just get the cheapest one I can find to start with? Quote
Super User Marty Posted February 21, 2014 Super User Posted February 21, 2014 Enjoy your new toy!! Quote
bartdude186 Posted February 21, 2014 Posted February 21, 2014 I've been wanting to get a fishing kayak for a while. This weekend I went into Dick's looking for a ping pong table and went over to the fishing section while I was there. They had the Perception Sport Caster 12.5 on clearance, and I brought one home with me the next day ( I had to wait a day because there was no room on top of the car with the ping pong table up there). I can't wait to get this thing out on the water! I still need to get a paddle though. Any suggestions on that front? I don't really know what to look for in a paddle as far as length,blade style, etc. Would it be a huge mistake to just get the cheapest one I can find to start with? I own 2 paddles, one is a 190 dollar "high-end" paddle and one is from walmart, while the expensive paddle is maybe 1/4lb lighter i can paddle faster and turn quicker with my 50 dollar walmart paddle. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted February 21, 2014 Super User Posted February 21, 2014 I own 2 paddles, one is a 190 dollar "high-end" paddle and one is from walmart, while the expensive paddle is maybe 1/4lb lighter i can paddle faster and turn quicker with my 50 dollar walmart paddle. That makes no sense about paddling faster and turning better unless of course the blade is way larger or better sized to your body or paddle stroke. As far as a light paddle goes, you will appreciate it when it is 7:00pm and you have a 5mile paddle to get back to the ramp before dark 1 Quote
MikeinFresno Posted February 21, 2014 Posted February 21, 2014 I would get a basic cheap paddle. Length depends u[pon your height and the style of yak-sit in or sit on-. Blade size comes into play as well. But, I would get a cheap one til you know if you like it, etc. About a 220=230cm is mid-range on length. Quote
Super User Darren. Posted February 21, 2014 Super User Posted February 21, 2014 Well, I started out with a cheap paddle, and boy was it exhausting to use. Heavy, which made it inefficient. I bought a carbon paddle with my Native Ultimate and have been 100% happier. And it's not a high-end model, only about $130 retail. Typically they size paddles this way: you hold your hand up as high as you can (don't stretch), if you can curl your fingers over the top of the paddle, it's about the right length. With your yak, that should work fine. If a wider kayak, some go longer than that. 1 Quote
MikeinFresno Posted February 21, 2014 Posted February 21, 2014 I just got a Hook CF paddle. What a difference. 26oz. Quote
ROCbass Posted February 21, 2014 Author Posted February 21, 2014 I think y'all misunderstood me, I'm looking for a paddle to go with the ping pong table! J/K, thanks for all the replies. I think I'll probably go the cheap route for now if weight is the major difference. I'm not afraid of a little extra exercise, and having never used a lighter paddle I won't know the difference anyway. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted February 21, 2014 Super User Posted February 21, 2014 Well, I started out with a cheap paddle, and boy was it exhausting to use. Heavy, which made it inefficient. I bought a carbon paddle with my Native Ultimate and have been 100% happier. And it's not a high-end model, only about $130 retail. Typically they size paddles this way: you hold your hand up as high as you can (don't stretch), if you can curl your fingers over the top of the paddle, it's about the right length. With your yak, that should work fine. If a wider kayak, some go longer than that. Good advice and i will also add with the raised seat positions some yaks need a longer paddle as well. I had to go to a longer paddle for my coosa after selling my redfish. Luckily it also works very well fro the captain's perch on the commander as well. Hopefully my next yak the paddle will be an after thought as i have my eyes set on a pedal drive :) 1 Quote
Super User Darren. Posted February 21, 2014 Super User Posted February 21, 2014 Good advice and i will also add with the raised seat positions some yaks need a longer paddle as well. I had to go to a longer paddle for my coosa after selling my redfish. Luckily it also works very well fro the captain's perch on the commander as well. Hopefully my next yak the paddle will be an after thought as i have my eyes set on a pedal drive :) You looking at Native Watercraft pedal system, or Hobie? Personally, I want a Hobie Pro Angler, but the price is way out of reach for now... Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted February 22, 2014 Super User Posted February 22, 2014 I want the Native Mariner. I like the hobie boats but i also like the ability to pedal in reverse and the circular motion of the native drive. Now take all this wit ha grain of salt as i have yet to pedal either but i am a cyclist so i am thinking the native motion will be easier for me. I have also read a few reviews about the flippers on the hobie getting bent up semi-easily where the native propel drive has a shear pin like a trolling motor and if you leave it unhooked it will pop up if you hit an obstruction. I hope to test pedal both this summer at some point and make a purchase in the fall when dealers are unloading their 2014 stock. I want to save for a trailer too so the process is a little slow Quote
Super User Sam Posted February 22, 2014 Super User Posted February 22, 2014 Congrats! May you have many days of fun and frolic and great fishing out of your new kayak. Quote
ROCbass Posted February 23, 2014 Author Posted February 23, 2014 I went to Sportsman's Warehouse today, and they had a paddle there called the Bending Branches Angler Scout. It has a fish ruler built into the handle, and one of the paddle blades has a little cutout to slip over your line for use as a lure retriever, which seemed like a neat feature. Does anyone have any experience with this paddle, and if I went with a different paddle is there any reason I couldn't make my own lure retriever cutout? I'm not sure about the price on this one, as other than the fishing specific features, It's listed specs are pretty similar to the Carlisle Day Tripper, which Academy has for $40 right now, and I liked that paddle when I saw it in the store. Here's a link to the paddle, the cutout I'm talking about is on the bottom left blade in the picture. http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/Bending-Branches-Angler-Scout-Kayak-Paddle/productDetail/Paddles-and-Oars/prod999901362464/cat101225 Quote
MacP Posted February 24, 2014 Posted February 24, 2014 You looking at Native Watercraft pedal system, or Hobie? Personally, I want a Hobie Pro Angler, but the price is way out of reach for now... I've just got a Hobie Mirage Drive. I got it before the Pro Anglers were out. I missed a consignment sale of a Pro Angler lightly used for $1,000 at Hook1 here. I went back to buy it, cash in hand, and it was gone. :-( Quote
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