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ADJUSTABLE KAYAK PADDLE: INTRO
An adjustable kayak paddle is a style of kayak paddle that allows you to make adjustments to the angle of the paddle heads. With this adjusted and angled paddle head, you will be able to reduce wind resistance for the head that is out of water. It is a great way to keep your kayak fishing experience a little bit more effortless and less daunting! Plus, your paddling strokes will be more efficient too!
Adjustable Kayak Paddle: Overview
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Shortcut to the Best Adjustable Kayak Paddle
I have created this post to be focused solely on adjustable kayak paddles and how they are useful to your kayak fishing game. I have broken this post into several sections so that sifting through the information becomes easy!
I have included a separate section on basic information about an adjustable kayak paddle – this will get you up to speed quickly! There is also a brief “how-to-use” checklist that will walk you through the proper way to use an adjustable kayak paddle. I have also included a list of all the important features to consider when looking for an adjustable kayak paddle – you will be able to separate top tier kayak paddles from the rest of the pack with ease!
I have also added a link to my favorite adjustable kayak paddle. By no means is it the ONLY good model of adjustable kayak paddle, but it is my favorite and it includes a number of the features that I denote in this article. I will briefly review this particular adjustable kayak paddle for you – hopefully you can learn a thing or two from my own thoughts and it will help you decide whether this one is a good one for you. I will list down the pros and cons that it has to offer in the “My Experience” section!!!
Parts of a Kayak Fishing Paddle
Adjustable Kayak Paddle: The Basics
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You have to deal with a strong resistance when you are kayak fishing in windy conditions. The paddle head that is out of the water (while you are in the middle of your paddling stroke) and goes above your head will face the wind, and it will slow you down. Apart from that, you will have to put in a considerable amount of effort to move into the wind. It can become pretty tough, especially when you are paddling hard to beat your completion to the next fishing hole (and once you get there, fire up your Deeper Start Smart Fish Finder as get the first catch).
An adjustable kayak paddle is a true convenience – frankly, it is even becoming a necessity for any level of kayak fishing skill or experience. If you notice that there are windy conditions in the area (in which case you should be wearing your fishing kayak life vest), you can conveniently adjust the angle of one of the paddle heads. It will allow you to move effortlessly into the wind because the tilted paddle head won’t take much wind into it. And you can easily move through water without putting in a lot of effort.
These adjustable paddles are very easy to use, and you don’t need any technical expertise for them. Installation and setup of these paddles are not that difficult either – no special tools required!
You will find different adjustable kayak paddles that provide you with a number of various increments that you can adjust within. The number and range of increments vary from one brand to another – and a good angle for one kayak fisherman may not be a good angle for another. The most common paddle adjustment increment is 15-degree. Typically you will see a 15 degree base angle, with up to three different angles available from the base. Don’t worry, we’ll explain, but let’s take a look at how to use one of these particular paddles before we learn what its features are used for!
How to Use an Adjustable Kayak Paddle:
There are various steps that you should take to ensure that you are using your adjustable kayak paddle properly. To ease things up a bit for you, I am listing down all these steps in bullet point form – this will make the instructions easier to follow and you can get out on the water more quickly!
- Take your adjustable kayak paddle out of the box
- Identify different items that are present in the box.
- Go through the instructions manual to get familiar with how the assembling is going to work.
- Identify the ferrule and see whether it is a snap-in or a screw-in ferrule.
- Now take your paddle head and connect it with the paddle shaft according to the instruction.
- There will be a small dial right next to the point where you have connected your paddle head with the shaft.
- This dial will allow you to make adjustments to the angle of your paddle head.
- Check to see the number of angles available and the size of the increments as well.
- With a high angle difference between the two paddle heads, you can tackle faster winds. Low angles are for slow winds.
- Once you are ready, practice your paddle strokes in the air or on dry land.
- After getting used to your kayak paddle, it’s time to get into the water.
- J-strokes are better because they don’t take much effort, and you won’t get tired no matter how long you stay on the water.
- When you are done kayaking, clean your paddle with a soft dry cloth and get rid of any debris from the ferrule.
- You do not need to use any particular cleaning materials or chemicals on the paddle to preserve it.
- Store it in a dry place to prevent mildew or mold from developing (we suggest storing inside a kayak cover – take a look at our Kayak Cover Ultimate Guide).
Side Note: Ever developed a blister from your kayak paddle? Learn how you can prevent these by using Kayak Paddle Grip Tape! Or skip paddling altogether by using a kayak trolling motor (just be sure to team it up with the Best Trolling Motor Battery)!
Adjustable Kayak Paddle – Important Features
Adjustable Angle
The most important feature here is how easily you can adjust a kayak paddle (e.g.: whether you need any special tools to do so). If you have to deal with windy conditions frequently, you will need an adjustable kayak paddle, its that easy!
With the adjustability feature, you can tilt one of the paddle heads at an angle and can change the position of your paddle to cut down on wind resistance. It is a useful feature that will allow you to save a lot of your energy while out searching for fish. You will be able to stay in place for a long time on the water too, as your paddle head will act less like a sail and more like an anchor! You don’t want that kind of any anchor (you want one of the 5 Best Kayak Anchors)!
Size and Length
There are different sizes and lengths available in both paddle heads and shafts. You can choose the length of your shaft and the paddle head according to your torso height and your kayak’s width. Yes, I said TORSO height, and not overall height. With more torso height and more kayak width, you will need a kayak paddle with a longer shaft and paddle heads.
To measure your torso height, you need to sit down on the ground and measure the distance between the tip of your nose and the ground between your legs. Don’t consider your full body height because you will be sitting in your kayak, not standing. Makes sense, right?
Materials and Weight
Different manufacturers use different materials to construct their kayak paddles. For budget-friendly options, you need to consider plastic and aluminum. These materials are not very long-lasting because they tend to dent, ding, corrode or plain old wear out over time. Metals are also heavy, and you’ll get fatigued if you spend a lot of time on the water. However, these type of models, being less expensive, are well suited for kayak fishermen who are early in their career!
Both fiberglass and carbon fiber are long-lasting and lightweight. You won’t need to replace these paddles for a long time to come. Therefore, you will get the value of your investment in the end. However, fiberglass and carbon fiber can damage easily if you are not an experienced paddler, so you’ll need to become capable with your kayak fishing skills before you subject your more expensive paddle to damage!
Side Note: Take a look at getting a super Lightweight Kayak Paddle!
Shape
Kayak paddles come in different shapes too. Some of them come with straight shafts, and some have their shafts “kinked”. The ones with the kinked shafts are suitable for beginners or people with some physical limits. The straight ones are better suited for experts because they know how to handle a shaft with ease.
User-Friendliness
The assembling process of kayak paddle heads needs to be very smooth and easy. There will be instances where you assemble or adjust your paddle WHILE you are on the water – so the paddle needs to be easy to work with.
You don’t need to spend hours on just assembling your oar – you’d never catch single fish if that was how you spent your time! There are different types of ferrules that you can consider. Screw-in and snap-in are the most common and easy to use (because they don’t require special tools).
Portability
Paddles from different manufacturers have a different construction. Some of them are either 2-piece paddles, while others are 4-piece paddles. 3-piece paddles are also available, though they are a little less common for some reason. The paddles that you can disassemble into a greater number of pieces will take less storage space than those that can only be broken down into 2 pieces.
Extra Features
There are some additional features that you need to consider. Your paddle head should come with a retrieval cable (sometimes called a paddle leash) that will prevent it from sinking into water or flowing far off. If you are a kayak fisherman, you will need a lure retrieval system as well. Apart from that, if there is some measuring mechanism on your paddle, then it will save you a lot of time as well, it may also save you from civil penalties in areas where catch and release size limitations are enforced! Stay on the right side of the law!!
Buy the Best Adjustable Kayak Paddle:
The paddle we’ve showcased above is the best adjustable kayak paddle that you can find on the market. Why? I’m going to explain it in the following section.
This one has all of the important features that I have listed in the previous section! First of all, this adjustable kayak paddle is made of carbon fiber materials. Therefore, it is extremely lightweight. Your hands won’t get tired while using it. The paddle also allows you to use the offset angles with 60-degree increments.
While the size of the increment might be a bit too big, it will get the job done if you are taking on high winds and you can always slightly adjust your paddling stroke to get it into the “ideal” zone. Of course, that is our only partial complaint here, as the remaining features make this truly perfectly suited for kayak fishing! Like what, you say?
Well, there is a measurement system present on the shaft of this paddle. You can measure the fish you catch with ease. And then there is a lure retrieval system there on this paddle too. You can rescue your jigs without a hassle. The lure retrieval system may even allow you to pay for the cost of your paddle over time in terms of lures saved (I know that I get a TON of lures stuck in trees and branches – this type of retriever system has saved me money time and time again)!
My Experience
My experience with this particular paddle by has been great. It is extremely light and is available in three different lengths, including 230cm, 240cm and 250cm. I do think that the offsetting angles have increments that are too high at 60-degree, but I have been able to adjust my stroke such that what was first a little cumbersome, quickly became more manageable!
If you have even a little bit of experience in paddling techniques, the high angle won’t be a problem for you. Just make sure that you choose the right length according to the height of your torso and the width of your kayak. Paddle length, after all, is far more important than the angle of the paddle head. You can always change the angle, but you can never make your paddle longer!
Pros
- Available in three different lengths (one for every shape and size of fishermen).
- Very lightweight and durable carbon-reinforced construction.
- Hook retrieval mechanism is there (saves tons of money over time).
- The shaft features a measuring system.
- Best for kayak fishing.
Cons
- Only a 2-piece assembly doesn’t offer much portability.
- 60-degree offsetting angles are too high (unless you adjust your stroke).
CONCLUSION
I do hope that my adjustable kayak paddle post has served as a useful guide for you in learning all important details about these kinds of adjustable paddles. I have provided you with my recommendation, and I think that it meets almost all of the specific requirements that an adjustable kayak paddle needs to meet to be an effective tool for your average kayak fisherman!
Like I have explained, it is a good choice for kayak fishermen, and even novices can use it to improve their skills! The carbon construction ensures that it lasts, and you don’t need to do much to clean and maintain it either. Most importantly, it allows you to paddle with much greater ease, which results in a less tiring experience and a greater level of enjoyment while on the water – who knows, it may even result in catching more fish as well!!
Comments
So what do you have to say about my adjustable kayak paddle recommendation? Have you ever used an adjustable kayak paddle? Did you even know that such a thing existed? I’ll be honest, I thought a paddle was a paddle – I was wrong! Be sure to post below and share your story and experience with us. We’d love to hear any tips or tricks you might have and we’d also encourage your to tell us about any other types of paddle that you think have made a positive impact on your kayak fishing trips and abilities!!