Kayak "fishing" paddles

 Its that time of year again when the new gear is about to hit, and I noticed that some paddle companies are marketing "kayak fishing paddles".
Im hoping that some of the pros here can help explain the differences between a standard paddle and the kayak fishing paddles and why they chose to use them.
Are kayak fishing paddles better for kayak fishing?

Hmm, I dunno, I've wondered that as well. The Bending Branches "Line Retrieval" eye is an interesting idea, I'm not sure I need it though.

Hmm, I dunno, I've wondered that as well. The Bending Branches "Line Retrieval" eye is an interesting idea, I'm not sure I need it though.

   Exactly what I was feeling. Seems like just a marketing thing to target fisherman. but I dunno. I'm just a dumb ol' fisherdude.

Probably just a paddle with a ruler on it.  Can't think of too many other things you could do to make it for fishing.

I'd like one whose blade opens up to form a 18" net

Well I agree and I am PS for Adventure Technology. There is some hype for sure in my opinion. AT sell a couple "fishing" paddles. Here is where it becomes a little better of fisherman, at least with AT. First off AT makes some really nice 100% Carbon fiber paddles. CF paddles are not as strong as some other blends, but offer really light weight options. AT uses the same blade design as the higher dollar, $400, paddles that are super nice and really work well to propel a kayak. The difference is the material used in the angler versions, it is much more durable and has a reinforced tip on the blade for pushing off of objects. still pretty light too. They also have a ruler on them which is a whatever as far as I am concerned. In using the more durable material it also brings down the cost a lot, and you all know how kayak fisherman complain about the cost of things. AT offers three different levels of fishing paddles. The most expensive is the same price and design as one of there high end models. Only difference is it is full camo. Level two are the ones that are the same design as the high end Carbon ones that are reinforced like I was talking about and have a ruler too. They have digital camo pattern. The lower end are less expensive and a little heavier, have the line notch and a ruler.
http://www.atpaddles.com/us/products/fishstix
http://www.atpaddles.com/us/products?series%5B%5D=168&activity%5B%5D=24
http://www.atpaddles.com/us/products?series%5B%5D=169&activity%5B%5D=24

I use full carbon for the weight savings and just be careful with it, but not too careful.
Was this any help?

This is what AT does.
I know for a fact that at least one other is the same as the standard, but has a ruler and notch, and cost $75 more.

My bending branches angler paddle is more of an annoyance than a help, personally. Perhaps it is not designed for our area or perhaps I'm using it wrong, but I find that the little "eye" for hook retrieval snags in just about everything. Kelp, my line while trolling, etc. I will probably buy a paddle without it next time. When it comes to line retrieval I just use my wooden fish whacker.

Yeah, the details and explanation are helpful, Rob. In our (kayak fishers) defense, like in the paddle, it ain't' rocket science, it's not revolutionary technology (at least as far as this ol dumb guy knows) so you can expect some complaints about a $400 paddle.

Unless that effer is lighter, stronger, makes me as fast as a peddle boat, have nice hair and more handsome, it's not worth it. And unless I'm trying to hunt and not fish, camo is just fashion, pffft.

No bad to you Rob, it's just my peeve.

 

Try a really nice light, designed for speed paddle and you will ever go back. And yes, my kayak is as fast as most of the pedal boats.

Well I agree and I am PS for Adventure Technology. There is some hype for sure in my opinion. AT sell a couple "fishing" paddles. Here is where it becomes a little better of fisherman, at least with AT. First off AT makes some really nice 100% Carbon fiber paddles. CF paddles are not as strong as some other blends, but offer really light weight options. AT uses the same blade design as the higher dollar, $400, paddles that are super nice and really work well to propel a kayak. The difference is the material used in the angler versions, it is much more durable and has a reinforced tip on the blade for pushing off of objects. still pretty light too. They also have a ruler on them which is a whatever as far as I am concerned. In using the more durable material it also brings down the cost a lot, and you all know how kayak fisherman complain about the cost of things. AT offers three different levels of fishing paddles. The most expensive is the same price and design as one of there high end models. Only difference is it is full camo. Level two are the ones that are the same design as the high end Carbon ones that are reinforced like I was talking about and have a ruler too. They have digital camo pattern. The lower end are less expensive and a little heavier, have the line notch and a ruler.
http://www.atpaddles.com/us/products/fishstix
http://www.atpaddles.com/us/products?series%5B%5D=168&activity%5B%5D=24
http://www.atpaddles.com/us/products?series%5B%5D=169&activity%5B%5D=24

I use full carbon for the weight savings and just be careful with it, but not too careful.
Was this any help?

 Thanks for the Adventure Tech perspective Rob.
I do have some questions though.
I reads like Adventure Tech offers "fishing" paddles but you still chose to use one of their non-fishing carbon fiber paddles instead. Correct?

So the advantages of using a Adventure Tech  kayak fishing paddle would be price point, sturdier materials, the ruler, the line notch, and camo/fishy graphics.
Thanks Rob.

Im also curious as to why you chose to use and represent AT paddles over other brands like
Saltwood, Bending Braches, Accent, Sawyer, etc ?
And do you find that their smaller blades are helpful when linking?


Really hoping that other paddle pros will contribute before I decide on my next purchase.
Any Bending Branches staff here?  Or someone who knows more about paddles than I do.
The help is appreciated.

My 2 piece has been used as an emergency fish bonker. I guess that makes it an angler edition.

It kind of chose me. AT is owned by Confluence who owns Wilderness. I do not have to use AT as many on the team use or are PS for other brands. But, with that said I have used several different paddles and have found that the AT paddle I use is the best of what I have used or demoed. I have used Werner, I like them too, but not as well as AT. The Werners I have owned or tried were all low angle paddles. Also used BB and was not impressed with the model I had or the ones I won. I sold them to happy users. I use the Oracle Carbon because it is designed for a high angle paddler, which I, and most SOT paddlers are due to how high above the water you sit. I also prefer a straight shaft vs an ergo/bent shaft. If I recall the low angle paddles have a little more surface area, but not always. The high angle paddles with a shorter/wider blade have more power than low angle narrow blades. I tend to paddle fast and hard quite a bit so I like the more powerful blade too. If you look at whitewater paddles they tend to be shorter/wider for power in the rapids when you need to make transitions fast. Go to http://www.atpaddles.com/us/ and look at all the info they have on different paddles. AT started off as an elite whitewater company and has transitioned over to all styles of paddles and has used their high design budget across all lines. I am not trying to sell anyone here on AT, I just know they are an elite brand and spend a LOT of money on R&D and know what works. As with kayaks, try before you buy.

Terry, I can borrow several different models, bring what I have to CL after the first of the year and let you try several styles.

I forgot. The reason I use a non angler is the weight savings, and also the newer fishing paddles were not available when I switched over. Once you go carbon it is hard to go back, but I would consider the new oracle angler due to blade design. Also, when I fish I need a paddle for movement, not measuring etc. As far as durability, I am careful around rocks etc, but I still use it to push off and treat it kinda hard, and have had zero issues. My paddle weighs 30oz. AT has lighter, but not with the blade design I prefer, and the lighter ones only come in bent shaft.

Carbon paddles tend to be quieter as I have found too. The blade enters the water quietly being thinner than a composite, or other reinforced blade.

More info.

High angle paddle strokes will allow you to track straighter do to the paddle entry being closer to the kayak. Low angle is just the opposite, paddle further from boat will cause kayak to turn more on the stroke. A low angle stroke is easier on the body/muscles, but not as efficient for propulsion. Also, a high angle paddle can be a little shorter offering more weight savings too.

In your case Terry, I know you like to play and roll your kayaks. The wider shorter blade of a high angle paddle will give you more power for rolling back over.