Is a Better Kayak Fishing Paddle Worth the Price?
6-minute read + videos
Many kayak anglers are surprised to realize how much of a difference a high-quality paddle makes over a cheaper model.
(Photo courtesy of Tanner Speidel)
We, of course, will always suggest paying more for a well-made, well-designed paddle. Better paddles are made with better materials. They’re lighter and perform at a higher level.
But what do others say?
We found a couple of YouTubers who asked that very question. “Is the price of a better kayak fishing paddle worth it?”
A $50 Paddle vs a $299 Paddle
The first video is by John Torres, a kayak angler from New York. In the video, he tells us how he had been using a $50 model from a national chain store. Then he decided to buy one of our Angler Pro paddles and get it out on the water to test the difference.
[NOTE: John made this video in 2020 and the blade pattern he has, Raptor, is no longer available. But everything else he talks about is still relevant!]
Take a look:
The first thing John noticed is the difference in paddle weight. His original paddle has an aluminum shaft, the most common material for low-end paddles. Aluminum is functional and durable, but quite heavy compared to the other options out there.
The Angler Pro has a carbon shaft, the lightest material currently used in paddles. The weight difference was very evident to him right away. He also comments on the measuring tape we imprint on all our kayak fishing paddles. A very handy feature.
One of the reasons John wanted to upgrade paddles was the difficulty of pushing a 100-pound kayak with himself and his gear in all kinds of weather and boat traffic conditions.
Once on the water, he loves how light this paddle is and realizes what a difference it makes when paddling for several miles, especially against the wind. It’s very noticeable when he switches back to his cheaper paddle. “The weight of the shaft really makes a huge difference,” he says.
[NOTE: One comment John makes is that he knows if he drops this $300 paddle, it’ll be on the bottom in a few seconds. That actually isn’t true! Most paddles will float, at least for a while. It’s more of an issue in high wind or swift current when it’s easier to lose your paddle if you drop it—especially if you don’t have a buddy who can go after it.]
John’s conclusion is that it was absolutely worth it for him to invest the money into a better paddle, especially because he fishes tournaments. He says, “If you’re not ready to make the $2,000-3,000 investment for a pedal-drive kayak, you really need to make the investment and buy a good [he calls it an oar] paddle.”
He opted for the payment plan through Austin Kayak, which helps the affordability issue.
A $100 vs a $300 Paddle
This next video compares two Bending Branches models: The Angler Classic and the Angler Pro. The YouTuber is Visai (that’s all we know from the description).
[NOTE: Visai produced this video in 2020 as well. His Angler Pro is in Glowtek, which is a current color option. The Angler Classic’s color options are now Electric Green and Tidal Blue.]
The difference Visai notices right away while paddling is, again, the shaft material. In this case, the Classic has a fiberglass shaft compared to the carbon shaft of the Pro. While fiberglass is lighter than aluminum, he says the carbon shaft has a noticeably lighter swing weight over the fiberglass.
Like John, Visai says he’s by no means an expert. But he enjoys kayak fishing and wants it to be the best experience possible. While he says he’s enjoyed using the Classic, he does paddle long distances and wanted to see if a more expensive and lighter paddle would be worth it to him.
Let’s watch:
“Oh wow,” says Visai when he switches from the Classic to the Pro, “It just cuts through the water like butter. The difference is night and day. The swing weight is just so light compared to that paddle… It feels like I’m moving air. This is a big difference, I’m actually pretty surprised.”
He also notices the Pro’s blades are bigger, and he’s able to move his short, wide kayak through the water a little faster and easier than with his Classic.
Like John, Visai concludes that the Angler Pro “has definitely made fishing out of this kayak a lot easier. I feel like I’m able to push more miles.”
[NOTE: Visai’s paddles have the adjustable-length Plus ferrule. In 2023 we replaced the Plus with the even better Versa-Lok ferrule, also adjustable length. Most of our kayak fishing models come with either the Versa-Lok or snap-button ferrule.]
Budget vs Expensive
This third video is produced by one of our Pro Team members, Jameson Redding, of the RoadTripAngler channel—just full disclosure here. So all the paddles he reviews in this video are Bending Branches kayak fishing paddles.
What he helps you with is discerning the differences between the price levels so you can make your best choice according to your own budget and fishing needs. Because of his experience in the industry, he offers some great tips for selecting your paddle, especially for newer anglers.
Jameson points out that even in a pedal-drive kayak, there will be situations where you’ll be using your paddle instead. And if you like to stand a lot when you fish from your kayak as he does, a paddle is very handy to keep you moving on the water while you stand.
He goes over the differences and advantages you get when you pay more for a kayak fishing paddle, starting with the lowest cost up to the high-end models.
Watch below:
The two biggest disadvantages of low-budget paddles are poor efficiency and heavy weight. They’ll have an aluminum shaft and plastic blades.
As you move up in material quality and price, the paddles get lighter and more efficient. You’ll see the Angler Classic again, as in the previous video. The Classic is our best-selling kayak fishing paddle, in fact, it’s the best-selling kayaking fishing paddle on the market!
“This [the Classic] is what I would recommend if you can’t go any higher than this. At least try to get something in this price range and you’ll be a lot happier out on the water,” he says. (2025 MSRP $174.95-204.95 depending on the ferrule)
Jameson’s video reminds us of a great suggestion: If possible, go to a local paddleshop that stocks a wide range of kayak fishing paddles versus a national chain or big box store that normally sells only low-to-mid-range paddles. That way you can hold each one, feel how their swing weights are different, test the ferrules and feel the difference in blade flexibility.
“To quickly recap the differences as we look at different price points,” says Jameson, “it’s really going to come down to those materials. The materials are going to make the paddle lighter as we go up. And they’re also going to make the paddle more efficient. You’re going to transfer that power from your paddle stroke to the water and be able to cover the distance a lot quicker and easier.”
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In conclusion: We’ve never heard anyone say they regret spending more on their paddle!
Happy fishing!
What paddling questions can our Wisconsin-based Customer Service team help you with? Contact us at 715-755-3405 or bbinfo@bendingbranches.com, or choose our online chat option.
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