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CHECK OUT THESE INNOVATIVE PADDLES
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1] HALA BUTTERKNIFE This versatile blade is designed for kayaking and SUP. With a carbon T-grip incorporated into one blade face, going from sitting to standing is as easy as it sounds. $299.99 •
www.halagear.com
2] ASSAULT HAND PADDLE 5
A single-blade paddle with a short handle that allows the angler to fish with one hand and adjust his position with the other. $29.95 •
www.backwaterpaddles.com
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3] AXE SUP PADDLE All carbon construction, a convex blade, molded handle and textured grip make the Axe paddle light and stiff. $199.99 •
www.axepaddles.com
Shaft length is one of the most important con-
siderations when choosing a paddle. First, con- sider the height and width of the boat. A paddle of correct length will place the full blade in the water without the paddler leaning hard to one side, banging the shaft against the kayak or work- ing the paddle high in the air. A sit-inside kayak may require a short 86-inch shaft while a sit-on- top with a raised seat could call for a paddle up to 102 inches. Several manufactures make paddles with an adjustable shaft so the paddler can find the perfect length or change lengths from one kayak to another. After finding the correct shaft length, consider
the ideal blade shape. Wide symmetrical blades are best for technical paddling, like running rivers or working tight structure. Bending Branches pro staffer Todd West prefers a 17.5- by 6.9-inch An- gler Classic blade for river fishing. “The paddle is short enough for tight river maneuvers, while the wide blade provides power for up-current grinds.” Long, thin asymmetrical blades allow for a lower
paddling angle that is more efficient over the long haul. Distance-paddler Kayak Kevin Whitley uses a 21-by 5.75-inch touring blade to cover miles of water. “The narrow blades keep me paddling at a low angle, which saves energy and reduces fatigue on my hands and arms.” Many high-quality paddle shafts are oval shaped
for a comfortable grip; some companies even put a bend in the shaft to increase comfort and efficien- cy. To reduce wind resistance, offset the paddle blades to cut through the air on the return stroke. After considering paddle length and shape,
take a look at construction. Paddles are made of everything from heavy aluminum and plastic to lightweight fiberglass and carbon fiber. Every ounce shaved from the paddle will add dollars to
4] WERNER CAMANO This carbon fiber paddle comes in a four-piece design that makes it easy to break down and pack for overseas fishing adventures. $335.00 •
www.wernerpaddles.com
5] ACCENT TRANSFORMER Kayak, SUP, push-pole and stake- out, the Transformer four-in-one paddle does it all. Push a button to switch blades and shafts. $229.99 •
www.accentpaddles.com
6] BENDING BRANCHES ANGLER CLASSIC Large nylon blades and a fiberglass shaft are light and strong. Fish-friendly features include a tape measure on the shaft and hook remover carved into the blade. $139.95 •
www.bendingbranches.com
the price tag. But a lighter paddle will swing easier and require less energy to control, which is worth every penny. Anglers fishing from a standup paddleboard
also need to carefully choose a paddle. Captain Linda Cavitt of Capt. Linda’s Fishing Charters says a SUP paddle should extend 12 to 13 inches above the paddler’s head. “A full carbon paddle is a no- brainer,” she says, “they are readily available and surprisingly affordable.” She prefers a narrow-shaft paddle, such as the 16-ounce Axe, because it is su- perlight and easier to manipulate in the water. In the end it comes down to enjoyment. With
the right set of blades, paddling will be as much fun as fishing. Drew Haerer is a kayak fishing guide with Froggy
Waters Outdoors and is on the pro-staff for Malibu Kayaks.
www.manpoweredfishing.com.
DREAM JOB
THE LIFE OF A KAYAK FISHING GUIDE BY BEN DUCHESNEY
Marty Kayak Jak Hughes has fished with movie studio execs, TV producers and famous anglers. But being a kayak fishing guide isn’t all glitz and glamour, it’s hard work for little monetary reward.
Years as a kayak fishing guide .............9 Years kayak fishing ...............................16 Number of kayaks in fleet ...................15 Miles driven each season .............5,000
Number of fishing rods spinning/fly .........................................12/3
Average amount in dollars spent on tackle each season ...................1,000
Average number of days spent guiding each week ...................................5 Age of youngest client in years ............5 Age of oldest client in years ...............86
Length of average guiding trip in hours .......................................................5
Biggest fish caught while guiding in inches....................................................34
Number of lakes/rivers/ponds used for guiding .......................................3 Number of tackle boxes .......................40 Price of a trip in dollars ........................75 Biggest tip in dollars ..........................250
Most number of lures/rigs lost by a client in one day ..............................5
Average distance paddled each trip in miles ................................................2 Average number of clients each trip ....2 Average length of work day in hours ...8 Most fish ever caught in one trip ....100
Number of tip-overs in 16 years of guiding .................................................10
Number of days spent wishing for a real job ..............................................0
To spend a day with Kayak Jak, contact him at
www.kayakjak.com.
www.kayakanglermag.com… 23
PHOTO: BEN DUCHESNEY
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