Bending Branches Kayak Fishing Paddle Sizing Guide
To choose the right kayak fishing paddle, you need to look at three variables: your height, your kayak’s width and your seat height.
(photo by Open Road Visuals)
Fishing kayaks are exceptionally wide and often feature an adjustable, elevated seat. Because of that, you’ll need a longer paddle (typically 240-260cm) with beefy, high-angle blades to propel a gear-heavy boat efficiently and easily.
Our online sizing guide below is the most up-to-date and accurate source of sizing information for our paddles:
Key Factors for Sizing Your Kayak Fishing Paddle
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Your Height—Taller folks usually need a longer paddle to comfortably clear the edges of the kayak without straining or leaning awkwardly.
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Kayak Width—Fishing kayaks are designed for maximum stability and are, therefore, much wider than rec or touring kayaks. The wider your boat, the longer your paddle needs to be to reach the water comfortably.
- Seat Height—Most fishing kayaks feature an adjustable seat. If you plan to fish mostly from a high-position seat, you’ll need to size your paddle up 10 cm. An adjustable ferrule is a great option if you like to fish from both the low and high positions.
You can see from the chart above how to gauge your paddle length based on those three factors. If you’re 5-foot eight and your kayak is 32 inches wide, you’ll want a paddle that’s 250 cm long.
If your seat height is adjustable, consider an adjustable-length paddle between 250-260 cm. Or if you know you’ll only paddle it in the high-seat position, then a fixed 260 cm paddle is fine.
(photo courtesy of Matt Charette)
Adjusting Your Paddle’s Length
Consider sizing 10 cm longer if you have two or more of the following:
- A more relaxed, casual paddling pace
- A true low-angle (horizontal) forward paddling stroke
- Abnormally wide boat width
- Flare, flat-bottom or V-shaped (usually beveled outward) boat design
- High seat position in the kayak/canoe
- You are taller than six feet and outside our sizing guide
Consider sizing 10 cm shorter if you have two or more of the following:
- A more aggressive, active, or endurance-focused paddling pace
- A true high-angle (vertical) forward paddling stroke
- Abnormally narrow boat width
- Tumblehome (usually beveled inward) boat design
- Lower seat position than most stock boat models
- You are shorter than five feet and outside our sizing guide
If your kayak has a fixed seat—meaning it isn’t adjustable for height—a fixed-length kayak paddle will suit you just fine.
If your kayak has an adjustable-height seat, then seriously consider buying a paddle that has an adjustable-length ferrule, like our Versa-Lok™ ferrule. That way the same paddle will meet your needs whether the seat is set low or high.
Expert Gear Specs and Features
Blade Profile
All Bending Branches kayak fishing paddles are designed with high-angle blades. Their broad, beefy profiles are designed to push large volumes of water and easily maneuver gear-heavy boats.
Ferrule Systems (Fixed vs Adjustable)
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Fixed Length—Our snap-button and Posi-Lok™ ferrule systems are fixed length. These are ideal for kayak anglers who fish from a consistent seat height.
- Adjustable Length—Our Versa-Lok™ ferrule system provides up to 15 cm of length adjustability as well as infinite feathering angles. We highly recommend this for adjustable-height seats and changing wind conditions.
Ingrated On-Water Features
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Built-In Tape Measure—Most of our kayak fishing paddles have a built-in 40-inch tape measure on the shaft.
- Hook Retrieval System—Some of our paddles have a specialized notch designed into one blade to help you safely retrieve snagged lures.
(photo courtesy of @caseywryan)
Explore our full line of kayak fishing paddles
Canoe Paddle Sizing Guide Kayak Paddle Sizing Guide