Kayak Paddle Thread

[Lures'n'Liberty]

So I went on a float trip this weekend in a rented kayak, 11 miles on the Youghigheny River. I became quite familiar with the Jackson fishing kayak that was in my local outfitter's rental fleet, and I must say it was quite nice. The paddle, however, was terrible. I felt that it was way too short, and it was missing the little rubber discs that keep the drips away. This combination put quite a bit of water in the boat and had my pants completely soaked, along with making it a challenge fighting a current and paddling upstream, as I had to move my hands every stroke. I see no easily referenced thread on how to select a paddle, and as I will definitely be buying a kayak very soon, I'd really like to know what the rest of you look for in a paddle, how to determine a proper length, and what the different designs are supposed to do. 

[Choporoz]

REI has a good page on choosing a paddle.  Like the kayaks, I suggest you handle a variety.  Not having drip rings on a rented paddle is unsat.  I've not been willing to spring for carbon fiber; I'm happy with my aluminum...except in the colder weather, when gloves are generally called for anyway.  I've borrowed a few different $300+ paddles, and while I know that many, including @J Francho, strongly disagree, I am very happy with my $120 aluminum paddles.  Getting the right length is probably the most important consideration, IMO.  And you may not know what length that is until you decide on a yak and sit in it holding a paddle, since width and seat height will have some bearing.   Something not generally discussed is blade color -- I do feel strongly about getting bright blade color: blaze orange, chartreuse, even white.  Being seen is a huge consideration for me on a lot of the waters that I fish.....black paddle blades seem to have a way of making you invisible.

[J Francho]

You could make your own....just kidding!

 

I have a full carbon fiber, two piece, Oracle Ergo from AT.  It is both adjustable infinitely in offset, and has a 10cm range - 130-140 for length.  I used to say that it didn't matter, so long as it was half way decent, but after using the AT, I won't go back.  Try some from all ranges, and I think you'll find something that balances price with features.  Aside from length and the drop rings, I think you were realizing the limitations of that hull.  I have a Jackson, and have been in most of their boats.  They all paddle like a sheet plywood.

[Lures'n'Liberty]

6 minutes ago, J Francho said:

You could make your own....just kidding!

 

 

If a decent paddle for a $200 used kayak is going to cost me $120 plus, it's tempting! I made a homemade paddle for my ex's dad's jon boat out of a 2x2 and some old plywood. It wasn't the best paddle in the world, but the time I had it when the motor broke was a much better experience than the time I didn't. 

 

[J Francho]

I actually don't think this too far out of reach.  I'd be looking to use an aluminum shaft, and fiberglass blades.

[Lures'n'Liberty]

13 minutes ago, J Francho said:

 I have a Jackson, and have been in most of their boats.  They all paddle like a sheet plywood.

The seat was nice, the layout was decent. I did get the feeling, however, that the paddle wasn't the only issue. Definitely solidified my decision to buy a used entry level 'yak.

1 minute ago, J Francho said:

I actually don't think this too far out of reach.  I'd be looking to use an aluminum shaft, and fiberglass blades.

if it was a foot longer I'd have been happier with 2 pieces of plywood duct taped to a drain pipe.

[J Francho]

Pay attention to the weight capacity, and get seat time.  Jackson used to have the best seat in the biz, but everyone has caught up or passed them in that regard.  I have yet to be impressed with their stuff.

[moguy1973]

I'm happy with my Carlisle Daytripper paddle.  Not the lightest but it has the drip rings and it's angle is adjustable.  Gets me across the water.

 

Oh yeah, and Walmart has them for like $40 online.

[J Francho]

My fist paddle was a Carlisle Magic Mystic.  Worked pretty well, and wasn't too pricey.  There was a lot of flex in the shaft though.

[Turkey sandwich]

I have a Feelfree angler fiberglass paddle that I don't hate.  No, it's not carbon fiber, but it also doesn't get uncomfortably hot or cold like aluminum and has no issue with flex and they sell for around $100.

[BuzzHudson19c]

I bought whatever cheap junk paddle they have at Field and Stream when I first got my kayak. Well this spring, heading upstream right in front of a rushing dam, the paddle snaps in half. I managed to fish the rest of the day paddling like you would a canoe, but it was exhausting.

 

Bought an Aquaglide from a friend (at a serious discount) and it's a much better paddle. Point being, buy a good one or buy several bad ones.

[Lures'n'Liberty]

14 hours ago, BuzzHudson19c said:

I bought whatever cheap junk paddle they have at Field and Stream when I first got my kayak. Well this spring, heading upstream right in front of a rushing dam, the paddle snaps in half. I managed to fish the rest of the day paddling like you would a canoe, but it was exhausting.

 

That had to be rough. I know I was tired out after a day floating downstream with a short paddle.

[Swamp Rat]

Aquabound Manta Ray Carbon...and for fishing I always prefer a 270-280cm paddle, not the 240cm that most "guidelines" suggest, especially if you are sitting up high or standing.

[MassYak85]

20 hours ago, Swamp Rat said:

Aquabound Manta Ray Carbon...and for fishing I always prefer a 270-280cm paddle, not the 240cm that most "guidelines" suggest, especially if you are sitting up high or standing.

x2 on Aquabound. I have the Manta Ray Hybrid (glass-reinforced nylon blades instead of carbon). It's a great paddle for the price. Retail it's like 140 I got it on sale though. It's got a 15 degree increment ferule system called posi-lock that is VERY solid, a carbon fiber shaft to keep it very light for it's price. I would buy another at full retail in a heartbeat if something happened to mine. 

[PECo]

7 hours ago, MassYak85 said:

x2 on Aquabound. I have the Manta Ray Hybrid (glass-reinforced nylon blades instead of carbon). It's a great paddle for the price.

x3.

 

My understanding of the rationale behind opting for the much more expensive carbon-fiber blades is efficiency. Not only are they lighter, but they're more rigid, which transfers more of your paddling energy to the water. But I'm a fisherman, not a long-distance or speed paddler, so the durable nylon blades work just fine for me.

[CountryboyinDC]

X 4 on the Aqua Bound, and depending on the width of your kayak, a Manta Ray or Sting Ray.  At a certain kayak width and a paddler height, you won't be able to use a high angle stroke, and so the Manta Ray won't be the best between those 2, and that will be the case for a lot of fishing kayak/paddler combinations.  I think you should try to keep your paddle stroke as vertical as possible.  At $200 for the kayak, I can see why an expensive paddle seems silly.  Getting a $500 Werner bent shaft touring paddle would not only be a poor match financially, it'll be less durable than a nylon/aluminum shaft job (are you going to buy an aftermarket Coach paddle case for your paddle?). FWIW, my current paddles are a Werner Skagit that I got as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago and a just-acquired Bending Branches adjustable shaft length Navigator (wooden blade).  Neither of these is even considered entry-level for touring type folks, but they're more durable than some carbon bladed job.  That's what I need, because if I don't have river current as my primary means of propulsion, I'm going to bring the pedal drive.  Folks on big water have to put in a lot more paddle strokes, and so light, efficient paddles fit their needs.  Just realize that the paddle has a lot to do how well you're able to get your kayak to move.

On 9/25/2017 at 3:17 PM, J Francho said:

I have a Jackson, and have been in most of their boats.  They all paddle like a sheet plywood.

I think there's some valid criticism on the seats and I haven't particularly liked their newest offerings (still haven't been in the Bite), but this is painting with overly broad strokes, IMO.  The Cuda or Kraken paddled significantly worse than other brands' similar kayaks?  Sure, if you compare Coosa to a 16' Tarpon, you'd say the Coosa paddled poorly (of course when you were on a river you could cast across, you wouldn't be crazy about that 16 footer either).  But I don't think that I've found that they paddle significantly worse than other kayaks, if you look at the intended use.  Fishing kayaks that paddle well don't sell anymore anyway, it's mostly a stability and topside features, if it's not about the pedal drive or electric motor options.  Witness the Feelfree Lure, Bonafides, etc. I guess different paddle strokes for different paddle folks.

[Crankin4Bass]

I have a Werner Camano.  I got it on sale for $220. It’s super lightweight and felt the most comfortable of any of the paddles I looked at. I started with a cheap paddle and this was such a huge upgrade. 

[J Francho]

8 hours ago, CountryboyinDC said:

Sure, if you compare Coosa to a 16' Tarpon, you'd say the Coosa paddled poorly (of course when you were on a river you could cast across, you wouldn't be crazy about that 16 footer either).

I would rate it POOR compared to this list of boats:

 

OG OK PBG (only slightly worse, though)

Ride 115

Commander 120/140

Lure

Moken 12

Native Ultimate 12

Malibu (can't remember 12' the model)

Hobie Compass.

 

There it sits in my back yard.  Haven't bothered paddling it in at least a year.

[CountryboyinDC]

26 minutes ago, J Francho said:

There it sits in my back yard.  Haven't bothered paddling it in at least a year.

I'm guessing you're talking about the one standing up; if I were guessing the one on the ground looks like a Commander or something.  Is that a Coosa?  I can tell it's something short.

[schplurg]

In a new video from Youtuber Greg Blanchard, his $350 paddle broke in half. Said he had maybe 4 years of use with it.

 

I have a Bending Branches fiberglass one - got it for $80. The "Scout" maybe? Not sure. I don't like that the hook retrieval notch is on the bottom, or there at all really. I may just seal that up. Why would I want a hole in my paddle blade?

 

I have tendinitis and I have had no problems with it. It's just over 2 pounds I believe. I plan on adding a trolling motor so it won't be as much of a factor for me.

[J Francho]

16 hours ago, CountryboyinDC said:

I'm guessing you're talking about the one standing up; if I were guessing the one on the ground looks like a Commander or something.  Is that a Coosa?  I can tell it's something short.

Yes, that's a Coosa.  It's only redeeming quality is the seat, and everyone else has caught up with that.  I think my favorite feature is how the scupper holes work like little volcanoes to create geysers when you paddle in waves.  It really special that they put two, each pointed at your butt cheeks, under the seat.  Plugs are a must.  The other two boats are a C140 and Hobie Compass.  Teaching kayak fishing at a local kayak shop gives me access to all kinds of boats.

[Bass Junke]

20 hours ago, Crankin4Bass said:

I have a Werner Camano.  I got it on sale for $220. It’s super lightweight and felt the most comfortable of any of the paddles I looked at. I started with a cheap paddle and this was such a huge upgrade. 

Crankin, just bought the same paddle (full price), best money I ever spent. 

[J Francho]

I like the Camino blade design.  It's similar to my AT Oracle Carbon:

 

https://www.atpaddles.com/us/paddles/oracle-carbon

 

[Bass Junke]

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

Yes, that's a Coosa.  It's only redeeming quality is the seat, and everyone else has caught up with that.  I think my favorite feature is how the scupper holes work like little volcanoes to create geysers when you paddle in waves.  It really special that they put two, each pointed at your butt cheeks, under the seat.  Plugs are a must.  The other two boats are a C140 and Hobie Compass.  Teaching kayak fishing at a local kayak shop gives me access to all kinds of boats.

I have been researching a new kayak and I gotta say all the Jackson kayaks seem over-rated and a little over-priced. 

It was oppressively hot this weekend, did some fishing early but spent Sunday afternoon inside. I watched an old FLW tournament (last year?) on Lake Champlain. It was a 7 hour video on you tube.

Steve Jackson, the owner of Jackson kayak, has been on that tour for a while and the one I was watching was the first time he made it to the top 10. Well, he was one of the only guys they could get good footage on so the coverage stayed on Steve for a good portion of the broadcast. What a cool guy. All the other anglers were pretty quiet, said a couple of things to the viewers here and there. Steve, on the other hand, was constantly talking to the audience even calling his shots. Totally hamming it up and just having a great time fishing. He was just jazzed to be in the top 10. Good stuff. 

[CountryboyinDC]

5 hours ago, J Francho said:

Yes, that's a Coosa.  It's only redeeming quality is the seat, and everyone else has caught up with that.  I think my favorite feature is how the scupper holes work like little volcanoes to create geysers when you paddle in waves.  It really special that they put two, each pointed at your butt cheeks, under the seat.  Plugs are a must.  The other two boats are a C140 and Hobie Compass.  Teaching kayak fishing at a local kayak shop gives me access to all kinds of boats.

I didn't see the Compass until you mentioned it, but I see the blue boat sticking out now.  I think the Coosa was pretty much a one trick pony - it was a boat for technical rivers if you were good enough to keep it from turtling (which I wasn't).  If you want a similar boat to compare for paddling, think of the 10 foot Tarpon, if you've ever tried one.  My brother has one, and it's fine for going on a float trip, not exactly the great boat for open water bigger than a pond.  It sounds like you get more paddle time than I do, so I'm sure that you've got good reason for your opinions.  I'm not particularly brand loyal, but I don't think that all Jacksons are bad, and the same would go for most brands.  With strategically placed scupper holes like that, at least you get to experience the feeling of a bidet without going to Europe.