Best Kayak Paddles For Fishing – 2021 Buying Guide

| Last Updated June 13, 2021

Anyone that has been out on a fishing kayak knows what a great time one can have there. These kayaks are different than standard ones.

With their bigger and heavier design, they make fishing a lot easier. But finding paddles that are suited for these can be hard.

If you are in search of the best kayak paddles for yourself, then this guide is all you need.

Comparison Chart of the Best Kayak Paddles For Fishing

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Anti-slip shaft pattern
  • Blade features dock hook, lure retriever, and tree branch hook
  • Three-push angle adjustment
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  • Lightweight materials reduces shoulder strain
  • Paddles separate into two pieces for added convenience
  • Two drip rings prevent water from running down the shaft
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  • Best for the Money
  • Rubber grip greatly reduces slipping
  • Three adjustable locking positions
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  • Aggresive and powerfully desiged blade
  • Paddle can be adjusted to accommodate high/low seating systems
  • Adjustable ferrule allows for the paddle's length to be altered
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  • Reinforced blade tip for easier push-off
  • Wilderness line helps retireive stuck lures
  • Laser-engraved measurement style
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What Size Paddle is Best For Kayak Fishing

Choosing the right size of a paddle for kayak fishing is very important. You may own a paddle of great quality, but if it isn’t the right size, you won’t be able to make the best out of it. 

The right size for kayak fishing varies from person to person. And the perfect size for any individual depends on a great number of factors. One thing that needs to be remembered is that a paddle that is used for kayak fishing is usually longer than a paddle that is generally used.

How to Choose a Kayak Paddle For Fishing

Choosing the right kayak paddle for fishing is of great importance. In order to ensure that you pick a paddle that is perfect for you, there are a few factors that you need to remember. 

If you haven’t bought a paddle for kayak fishing before and don’t know what these factors are, do not worry. We’ll list them for you so you can pick the perfect product for yourself.

Blade Size 

Before anything else, you need to look for the right blade size. The one you choose should be such, that it can move your kayak through the water easily. The ideal size for this is at least 95 square inches. Also called high-angle blades, units of this size have a better paddling stroke and pull a good amount of weight. 

Budget

One of the most important aspects of choosing any product is considering your budget. Whatever products that you consider for yourself, you need to make sure that they fit into your budget. If not, you will not only waste a lot of time on items that you can’t buy but also end up overspending.

Length

The most important factor to consider would be the length of the paddle that you choose. The general rule of thumb says that if your kayak is wider or the user is taller, the paddle needed would have to be longer. Different manufacturers recommend different lengths for different heights.

Review of the Best Kayak Paddles For Fishing

Now that you know exactly how to choose a kayak paddle for fishing, it is time to get to the fun part. And that is finding the right product. This fun part could also be a painstaking task if you have to go through a sea of products to find the right one. 

But we’ve made the job easier for you. Here we have listed and reviewed some of the best products so you can simply pick one for yourself.

Best Overall:
KERCO Angler Pro

PROS

  • Available in four different colors so users can pick one that they like best
  • Allows angle adjustment at three different angles and can be stored in two pieces
  • Blades are built with tough fiberglass reinforced nylon that allows the best durability
  • Shaft fabricated with carbon fiber and designed with an anti-slip pattern for a better grip
  • Advanced and improved design that includes lure retriever, dock hook and tree branch hook

CONS

  • Length of the paddle is not the best for very tall users
  • Two pieces may come apart while paddling in rough waters
  • Fitting the pieces together after taking them apart may be a little tricky

What Recent Buyers Report

Users have found nothing but good things to say about this product. They have been absolutely stunned with how well it works. From its low weight to its incredible durability, there is nothing that the users think this product lacks. For this reason, they find it to be their go-to item for kayak fishing.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This kayak paddle has a lot to offer for its users. But one feature in particular really stands out to us. And that is its anti-slip design. In the midst of rough waters, maintaining a grip on your paddle may get hard, and it may just slip away. But with this anti-slip design, that accident will be sure not to happen.

Who Will Use This Most

A lot of users find themselves having a lot of trouble with storing their paddles when not in use. The long design makes it hard to find a safe and secure place to fit them in. But with the unique design of this product, users that have had trouble storing their paddles will find this to be a perfect solution. They can simply disassemble it into two and store it conveniently.

Bottom Line

Overall, this product deserves to be the top-rated kayak paddle for fishing for a reason. And the reason is pure excellence of design and quality. This kayak paddle, with its appropriate and high-end features, is a highly functional unit that will prove to be the perfect companion for kayak fishing.

Runner-up:
Best Marine Kayak Fishing Paddle

PROS

  • Designed with the ideal length to suit the majority of people
  • Users get to experience complete satisfaction with the ideal customer support
  • Carbon fiber shaft paired with ABS blades to provide the best design and functionality
  • Lightweight and durable design that allows ease and comfort along with a longer lifespan
  • Ideally designed blades ensure that you swiftly move through the water and effortlessly so

CONS

  • Users taller than 6’1” would find this paddle hard to use
  • Surface area of the paddle is not as big as users would like

What Recent Buyers Report

Designed with nothing but the best materials, this product does not fail to impress its users. They have been greatly impressed by its lightweight design. Users agree that the product might be a little pricey, but they also agree that its high-quality production makes it absolutely worth the price.

Why it Stands Out to Us

There are a lot of features in this product that made us include it on this list. But the feature that tops the list is its unique blade design. Manufacturers understand the trouble of paddling through rough water. But these blades are designed to cut through, allowing you an easier paddling experience.

Who Will Use This Most

Think you’re too tall or too short for standard kayak paddles? Finding the right size of the paddle that fits you well can be troublesome. But this product puts an end to that trouble. Its ideal size makes it the perfect product for all those that feel like the standard paddle size does not suit them well.

Bottom Line

This product might be second on the list, but it doesn’t lag too far from the first one. It is built with the same excellence and quality as our top product. Users have found an equal degree of satisfaction. Though it comes at a greater price, it also comes with a greater number of features.

Best Kayak Paddle for the Money:
WDAM Kayak Paddle

PROS

  • Ideally designed to be used easily by professionals and beginners alike
  • Carbon fiber lightweight shaft makes the paddling job a lot easier for users
  • Users find the liberty of choosing between two classy colors that keep them in style
  • Allows three different locking positions for users to adjust according to their own need
  • Blades designed with reinforced fiberglass allow them to be lightweight and durable at the same time

CONS

  • Take-apart design might be tricky to put back together
  • White color in the water may be a giveaway while fishing
  • Locking positions may be a little hard for users to figure out

What Recent Buyers Report

Users investing in this product have been nothing less than stunned by it. What really impresses them is its customizability and its great quality. Users find this to be the perfect combination in a kayak paddle for fishing. This is why they recommend it to all other users.

Why it Stands Out to Us

Of all the other products on the market, we chose this for a few specific features. Of all those features, the one that really stands out to us is its customizable design. With this kayak paddle, users can switch between three different angles and choose the one that suits them the best.

Who Will Use This Most

We find this to be the ultimate solution for all those users that take feathering very seriously. A lot of users find issues with their paddles, given that they can’t adjust them at an angle that they want. But with this product, that won’t be an issue anymore. All those users that need to feather their paddles at a specific angle will love it.

Bottom Line

You no longer need to make do with the given angle of your paddle. Switch it up to what makes you comfortable. With this customizable paddle, you get a product that is not only designed to function at its best, but also to provide you with the ideal functioning for a longer time, that too at a cheaper price.

4. Wilderness Systems Alpha Angler Glass

PROS

  • Powerful and aggressive blade design allows the best performance for a fishing trip
  • Adjustable length is ideal for all users of all different heights with just a flip of a switch
  • Unique design and angles provide the ideal power to achieve and maintain high speeds
  • Designed in a way that is suitable to be used ideally with high and low seating systems
  • Lightweight carbon fiber shaft requires the paddlers to do less work, so they can save their energy for fishing

CONS

  • Color of the shaft may fade with consistent use
  • Shaft may be too slippery to hold on without sufficient grip

What Recent Buyers Report

Those that have invested in this product and tried it out for themselves will assure you that this paddle is the best you can get for kayak fishing. They find all of its features to be highly functional, proving to be a unit that provides them the best of all that it has to offer.

Why it Stands Out to Us

It’s true that users like this product for a great number of reasons. But the feature that made us sure that it deserved to be on this list was its adjustable length. Very few paddles available on the market are as adjustable as this product to allow perfect use for all heights and all seating arrangements.

Who Will Use This Most

Some of us may take the same old kayak out every time we go fishing. But there are professionals who have different kayaks to choose from. Such professionals may find it a waste of money to buy different paddles to suit different kayaks. But this adjustable paddle is perfect for all those users looking to use the same paddle for all their kayaks. 

Bottom Line

This product is a one-for-all kind of paddle that is perfect for all kayaks as well as all users. But there is a lot more to it than its adjustability. From design to quality, this product does not lack in any aspect. It will provide you with the ideal paddling experience but at a price slightly more than other products.

5. Crooked Creek C11380

PROS

  • Fiberglass shaft is engraved with a measurement scale for better precision
  • Available in three different lengths, so users get the best for their height
  • Retrieval slot comes with a weedless line that ensures easy removal of stuck lures
  • Blade designed with poly-fiber composite dihedral material allows the perfect touring performance
  • Features a dock hook that allows you to pull the kayak over the edge and a reinforced tip that helps users to push off

CONS

  • Shaft may scratch easily with consistent use
  • Cup of the blade may make paddling too noisy
  • Sizes given may not be perfect according to scale

What Recent Buyers Report

Buyers that have recently invested in this product will tell you that it’s the best paddle for kayak fishing. They would justify their claim with the outstanding quality of the product and its flawless performance that allows them a wonderful fishing trip every time.

Why it Stands Out to Us

Of all the outstanding features that this product provides, one that deserves an individual appreciation is its measured scale. The shaft of the paddle is marked with a measurement scale that allows greater accuracy and precision of length while on water. But what’s even better is that the scale is engraved with a laser so it won’t fade away with water.

Who Will Use This Most

Paddlers will agree that the hardest part of fishing trips is pulling over the edge on the dock, and pushing off. But this product is designed to make the hardest part the easiest. With the dock hook blade and reinforced tip, this paddle is perfect for users that are looking forward to a smooth start and end to their kayak fishing trip.

Bottom Line

We are glad to end this list with one of the best products the market has to offer. And it’s not just us, the users agree too. This product, with its high-end features and impeccable design, provides users with functionality that is way better than that offered by the rest.

What Makes a Paddle Great For Kayak Fishing?

There are a lot of paddles available on the market, but not all of them are perfect for kayak fishing. So, which paddle is perfect for the job? You can find the right one by considering a few simple features. The features to be considered are as follows.

Blade Size

Not all blade sizes will work well with kayak fishing. You need to ensure that the blade is big enough to let you move through the water easily. For that, it needs to be 95 square inches or more. These are known as high angle blades that are ideal for aggressive strokes.

Ferrule System

If you look at fishing kayaks, you’ll see that they come with two different ferrule systems. One is the snap button ferrule, while the other is the telescoping type. With the snap-on type, you can choose between two feathering angles, while with the telescoping type, you can adjust the length of the paddle up to 15cm. Deciding which feature you find more useful is entirely up to you. 

Weight

Weight is yet another feature that you can’t forget. The heavier the paddle gets, the lower its functionality would be. So while choosing a paddle, you need to ensure that you opt for the lightest possible paddle that can fit in your budget. The lighter weight will not only provide better performance but also require less efforts.

Conclusion

Kayak fishing can be the best time you can have out in the wild. And all you need for this perfect trip would be a good paddle that would help you on your adventure. All you need to do is ensure that the paddle is of the right length and of the right weight, and you will be sure to have a great day.

People Also Ask

Kayak paddles are simple products, but there are users who may not have used them before and therefore have more questions. If you too have some queries, do not worry. In order to help you out, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions.

Why Are Kayak Paddles Offset?

While using a kayak paddle, you will notice that the ends of the paddles are at an angle from each other. This offset is known as feathering. Paddles are normally offset because, in that position, they are better able to cut through the air, allowing efficient paddling.   

Why Would You Feather a Paddle?

Feathering a paddle is a very common practice. Users feather their paddles for not one but many reasons. One of the most common reasons is that it makes paddling go easier on the wrists. Others feather because they believe that it reduces the wind resistance on highly windy days. Some also believe that it simply increases the speed and efficiency.

What is the Optimal Paddle Length and Offset?

The best length and offset for your paddle depends upon different factors. The ideal length depends upon your height. If your height is between 5’3” and 5’8”, then a paddle of about 192cm would be ideal. If you’re taller, 200cm would be good. The right offset depends upon the waters in which you go fishing. For the general whitewater, a 30-degree offset is perfect.

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My name is Caleb and I am obsessed with hunting, fishing, and foraging. To be successful, you have to think like your prey. You have to get into the mind of your target - and understand Big Game Logic. If you have any questions, or just want chat about your latest hunting score or big catch, you can reach me at admin@biggamelogic.com. Read more about Big Game Logic.