What To Look For
The beauty of kayak fishing is in its quietness, so look for a paddle that will allow you to move your kayak through the water without any splash. Your paddle needs to be long and narrow enough that you can handle it effortlessly, without resistance. Look for paddles made of carbon fiber instead of fiberglass. They will be lighter, thus less tiring to use. For kayak fishing, you will be looking for a flat water paddle rather than a whitewater paddle. When fishing from a kayak, you are more concerned with stability and endurance than speed.
Common Pitfalls
Avoid choosing the least expensive paddle or the one you found at a yard sale. You may find a bargain in a used one, but first know what you are looking for. Avoid using a canoe paddle instead of a bona fide kayak paddle. You can tell the difference because a canoe paddle has a blade only on one end, while a kayak paddle is double-bladed. You can use a kayak paddle in a canoe, if you like, but you cannot safely use a canoe paddle to maneuver a kayak. Get the best kayak paddle you can afford. Wood looks good but is too heavy for safe kayak fishing. A wooden paddle is also breakable. You need your paddle to be indestructible.
Where To Buy
To learn how different paddles feel, stop by a pro shop, outfitter or any store where kayak equipment is sold. Try hefting different models, feeling the difference between wooden and fiberglass and then carbon. After you decide which ones you like in your price range, you may find the best deal by shopping online at Outdoorplay or Kayakshed, both well-established catalog suppliers with an extensive selection of paddles. Kayak Angler Pro Shops also maintains an online list of kayak outfitter locations in the United States and Canada, and many of them have websites allowing you to shop online.
Cost
As of 2010, expect to spend in the range of $180-375 for a good flat water paddle to use with your sit-on-top fishing kayak. You could get a wooden or fiberglass one for $150 or less but you would be sorry the first day because those heavier paddles would not be very pleasant to use over an extended fishing trip. To enjoy many hours of kayak fishing, you need the best paddle you can afford.
Comparison Shopping
The three most popular flat water paddles for sit-on-top kayak fishing start with the Werner Skagit CF IM, which is the best carbon fiber, injection-molded, adjustable ferrule paddle in its price range of $180. You can change its feathering from left to right in 15-degree increments. Next is the Aqua Bound Carbon Swell Plus, which costs in the $300 range but is going to give you a lighter and smoother paddle because of its more advanced, telescoping design. Finally, the most ergo-dynamic, top-of-the-line paddle for kayak fishing is the AT Xception Carbon Superlight, made by Adventure Technology and sold by Outdoorplay for $375 instead of the full retail price of more than $450. The Xception SL has a hydrodynamic, asymmetrical blade design that you may one day want to experience, even if it is too pricey right now.
Accessories
When you choose your kayak, look for one that has "paddle keepers," which provide a place for your paddle to rest safely and comfortably while you are fishing. You need to always know where your paddle is. Some anglers use a kayak anchor to keep from drifting while fishing. Outdoorplay offers kayak fishing packages with everything you need, from a fishing life vest to a skirt for keeping water out of your kayak. Notice that the Aqua Bound Swell Plus is the standard paddle offered, so you know you are getting the best.
Insider Tips
Terms like "feather angle" and "adjustable ferrule" may not mean anything to you if you are making your very first purchase of a kayak fishing paddle. As you become an experienced flatwater kayaker, you will learn how important these features are to help guard against wind resistance and fatigue as you paddle. If you do not already own a kayak, consider renting one for a day of fishing and see what kind of equipment the outfitter provides. You now know what to look for, so feel free to request the lightest paddle it has available. If you are more than 6 feet tall, ask for their longest paddle, as well.
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