You’re at the kayak shop and you just dropped $3,000 on a pimped out pedal boat. Another $150 comes out of your pocket for the fanciest life vest in the store. Before you head to the register, the salesperson asks, “What about a paddle?”
You look at your new pedals, propeller and rudder then laugh and answer, “Oh, any old paddle will do.” But, before you head to the bargain bin to pick out an egg beater, take a minute to consider our advice on choosing the best paddle for your pedal kayak.
How to Choose the Best Paddle for Your Pedal Kayak
Why You Need a Paddle in a Pedal Kayak
Despite the promise of easy propulsion and hands-free fishing, a pedal kayak still requires a paddle. Obviously, you’ll need a paddle to launch and land the boat since a pedal drive must be retracted before moving the kayak on shore. Even pedal drives with flexible lower units, like the Jackson FD and Hobie with Kick-Up Fins, have to be lifted before hitting land.
What a new pedal angler may not realize is how much more often he will need the paddle.
Hobie team angler Reggie Chapa points out, “I use my paddle about 20 percent of my time on the water.” Chapa patrols the shallows of south Texas for redfish where his paddle takes over when the water is too skinny for his MirageDrive.
In addition to paddling across shallow water, Chapa employs his paddle as a push pole to propel the kayak when he is standup fishing. He says using the paddle blade to push off the bottom provides more thrust and sharper control than paddling with the blade.
Living in the coastal low country, Native Watercraft team members Jason and Jennifer Schall have the opportunity to fish freshwater and saltwater. “Yesterday I was saltwater fishing and I used the pedal drive to reach a muddy oyster flat, then switched to the paddle for the rest of the day,” he says. The next day, Schall was fishing a freshwater lake. “I used the pedal drive to get to an area with grass, lily pads and cypress stumps.” When he entered the shallow, vegetation choked fishing area, he pulled in the pedal drive and broke out the paddle.
To control a heavy pedal kayak in swift river current, pedal anglers use their paddle to supplement the rudder. Old Town Kayaks team angler Hayes Anderson explains, “When I’m heading for a turn in the river, I go with the flow until I reach the faster current and then I use the paddle blade along with the rudder to slow down and turn the kayak.”
Anderson suggests another reason every kayaker needs to carry an extra paddle. “I carry a decent paddle as backup to the pedal drive in the event of a mechanical failure or accident.” Although he’s never had to paddle back to the launch, he points out, “I also carry a first aid kit and toilet paper, even though I hope to never use them.”
For this reason, Reggie Chapa encourages pedal anglers to practice paddling their loaded pedal kayak a considerable distance. “A pedal kayak isn’t as fluid as a paddle kayak and it can be hard to control,” he explains. He adds, “Practice paddling your pedal kayak to know your limits on the water so you can stay safe.”
How to Choose a Paddle for a Pedal Kayak
Once you realize how often you use a paddle in a pedal kayak, you’ll understand the role a good paddle plays in getting the most out of your boat. Since the beginning of the pedal revolution, paddle manufacturers have been quick to understand the special requirements of pedal anglers.
Andrew Stern, vice president of marketing at longtime paddle maker Bending Branches, remembers the early days of pedal kayaks. “We didn’t panic or look to become a pedal drive manufacturer,” he laughs. Instead, paddle designers studied how they could meet the hands-free evolution. “We created a special fit guide for fishing kayaks and worked on improving weight to strength ratios,” he says.
The result is a new segment of high-end paddles for big, heavy pedal kayaks. Bending Branches developed larger, more powerful blades, stronger and stiffer shaft and colors and designs to appeal to kayak anglers.
Stern lists some of the considerations anglers should make when choosing a paddle for a pedal kayak: materials, length, high or low-angle blade, adjustable or fixed shaft. He asks, does the kayak have a high and low seat or fixed seat? What is the kayak width and angler height? With so many variables, anglers should carefully consider each factor before picking a paddle.
Pedal Kayak Paddle Match
Fitment charts for paddle length to angler height only go so far in matching the paddle the the paddler. Differences in kayak width and height aren’t taken into account with online charts. For a real-world look at anglers and their favorite paddle, we asked our experts for their numbers.
Jason Schall
| Height |
|---|
| 6’1″ (185.42 cm) |
| Kayak |
| Native Watercraft Slayer Max Propel 10 |
| Width |
| 34″ |
| Paddle Length |
| 250 cm |
Jennifer Schall
| Height |
|---|
| 5’2″ (157.48 cm) |
| Kayak |
| Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 10 |
| Width |
| 34″ |
| Paddle Length |
| 240 cm |
Material Matters
Starting with paddle materials, the choice ranges from plastic and aluminum bargain models that are heavier and less expensive to ultralight, carbon fiber paddles.
Our panel of expert pedal anglers lean towards the high-end without going overboard. Bending Branches team angler Bill Sikora chooses an Angler Ace paddle with light and stiff carbon fiber shaft and durable fiberglass blades.
A light paddle reduces fatigue for paddling all day. The lightweight shaft and blades also makes it easier to pick up and put down the paddle between casts. Sikora says, “My paddle is under 30 ounces but with the fiberglass blades I don’t worry about paddling through oysters and rocks.”
Since he only brings out the paddle when the going gets rough, Sikora prefers nearly indestructible fiberglass blades over carbon fiber or heavy plastic blades.
Blade Shape
Sikora looks for a paddle with a larger, high-angle blade. A high-angle blade has more surface area to provide more power for paddling a heavy kayak from an elevated seat position. A low-angle blade, on the other hand, is longer and narrower to efficiently paddle long distances from a seat that is closer to the water.
Sikora reminds pedalers they won’t be able to use the rudder while paddling. “A larger, high-angle paddle blade and light, stiff shaft make it easier to turn the heavy pedal kayak,” he explains.
Adjustable Shaft
Overwhelmingly, a paddle with an adjustable length shaft is most popular for pedal kayakers. These paddles have telescoping shafts that extend up to 15 centimeters. Most models come in two length ranges, 230 to 245 centimeters or 240 to 255 centimeters to match the paddle to the angler’s height, seat height and paddling style.
Most size charts use angler height to recommend the ideal paddle length. Sikora says a paddle fitment guide from the manufacturer is just a guide. “I add three inch risers to my seat when I’m sight fishing,” he says. Changing his seat height requires Sikora to adjust the length of his paddle. “With an adjustable shaft, I can lengthen the paddle when I raise my seat height.”
With all the formulas and figures to choose the right paddle, each angler has his preference for fit. A few centimeters added or subtracted can make the difference between comfort and torture. The adjustable ferrule allows the paddler to find the perfect fit.
Once you realize how often you use a paddle in a pedal kayak you’ll see how important a great paddle is to pedal anglers. As you put together your pedal kayak, life jacket and accessories, don’t forget to add a premium paddle designed for a fishing kayak.
This article was first published in the Summer 2022 issue of Kayak Angler Magazine. The right kayak paddle is key when auxiliary power starts with your arms. | Feature photo: Matt Charette
