Lighter paddle - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Rocketfish · 05-18-2015, 01:49 PM

Guys, forgive me if there is already a thread about this, but how do you select and eventually buy / upgrade your kayak paddle? Mine is a "standard" aluminum paddle that came with my setup. I KNOW it's heavy as I've carried a buddy's paddle and noticed a world of difference. Shall I expect to spend $100 on some super light composite version?

TJones · 05-18-2015, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocketfish

Guys, forgive me if there is already a thread about this, but how do you select and eventually buy / upgrade your kayak paddle? Mine is a "standard" aluminum paddle that came with my setup. I KNOW it's heavy as I've carried a buddy's paddle and noticed a world of difference. Shall I expect to spend $100 on some super light composite version?

350? - 500 $ plus . If you are staying in the sport and paddling is your primarily source of propulsion , I would say it's well worth the investment . It could prevent long term injury , definitely reduce fatigue . Which translates into more time on water .

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chris138 · 05-18-2015, 03:08 PM

I always love seeing guys with $800 worth of Avets onboard, and a $100 paddle haha

Hands down the most important and best investment I ever made was a Werner Ikelos blade. It is the lightest, stiffest and most badassest paddle ive ever tried and it makes 300% difference on long days and in surf launch situations. nothing worse than grinding into a strong current or trying to catch a school of yt with a limp noodle for a paddle. I had no idea what a huge difference it would make until i felt it. worth every penny

Kayak_Bernie · 05-18-2015, 03:21 PM

I could not agree more, I have a Werner skagit for my kayak, and it is a very nice paddle it cost me $225, 8 years ago worth every penny. I paddle my L2FISH SUP with a Werner Nitro F , arguably the best SUP paddle on the market and they both make a world of difference. spend the dough and get a quality paddle, you wont regret it.

Rocketfish · 05-18-2015, 03:28 PM

You guys bring up a great point. Since I'm new I've limited myself to local harbors, yet after 4 hours of very casual paddling my shoulders are super sore immediately afterwards and the next morning! makes perfect sense to spend some good $$ on your sole source of propulsion.

With that in mind, do you guys have a good source of info regarding which paddle to get? Maybe something that compares material with weight and price? Or... shall I just visit Andy?

Aznronin · 05-18-2015, 04:43 PM

I've owned and paddled the Werner Ikelos carbon, the carbon fiber Cyprus, camano performance and I also have an Ovation (Werners lightest most expensive paddle). I've also paddled other brands of carbon fiber paddles and I would say the best overall paddle would be the camano or kalliste. The ovation is amazing but almost to light for heavy ocean fishing.

05-18-2015, 01:49 PM	#1
Rocketfish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: North O.C. Posts: 156	Lighter paddle Guys, forgive me if there is already a thread about this, but how do you select and eventually buy / upgrade your kayak paddle? Mine is a "standard" aluminum paddle that came with my setup. I KNOW it's heavy as I've carried a buddy's paddle and noticed a world of difference. Shall I expect to spend $100 on some super light composite version?

05-18-2015, 03:21 PM	#4
Kayak_Bernie Live Watersports ProStaff Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Rolando Village Posts: 224	I could not agree more, I have a Werner skagit for my kayak, and it is a very nice paddle it cost me $225, 8 years ago worth every penny. I paddle my L2FISH SUP with a Werner Nitro F , arguably the best SUP paddle on the market and they both make a world of difference. spend the dough and get a quality paddle, you wont regret it. __________________ Heroes on the Water SoCal Chapter Safety Director

05-18-2015, 03:08 PM	#3
chris138 donkey roper Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 968	I always love seeing guys with $800 worth of Avets onboard, and a $100 paddle haha Hands down the most important and best investment I ever made was a Werner Ikelos blade. It is the lightest, stiffest and most badassest paddle ive ever tried and it makes 300% difference on long days and in surf launch situations. nothing worse than grinding into a strong current or trying to catch a school of yt with a limp noodle for a paddle. I had no idea what a huge difference it would make until i felt it. worth every penny

05-18-2015, 03:28 PM	#5
Rocketfish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: North O.C. Posts: 156	You guys bring up a great point. Since I'm new I've limited myself to local harbors, yet after 4 hours of very casual paddling my shoulders are super sore immediately afterwards and the next morning! makes perfect sense to spend some good $$ on your sole source of propulsion. With that in mind, do you guys have a good source of info regarding which paddle to get? Maybe something that compares material with weight and price? Or... shall I just visit Andy?

05-18-2015, 04:43 PM	#6
Aznronin Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Sfv Posts: 147	I've owned and paddled the Werner Ikelos carbon, the carbon fiber Cyprus, camano performance and I also have an Ovation (Werners lightest most expensive paddle). I've also paddled other brands of carbon fiber paddles and I would say the best overall paddle would be the camano or kalliste. The ovation is amazing but almost to light for heavy ocean fishing.