A Guide to Choosing a Paddle for Kayaking

    Once you have decided on the type of kayak to use, the next item needed is the paddle.  This is a key piece of equipment because it will be your primary method of propulsion.  Because of this, you want to make sure it is something comfortable to use.  Remeber, you will be holding the paddle for an extended period of time on each outing.  An uncomfortable paddle will result in an unpleasant experience on the water.  The primary guideline to follow when selecting a paddle is to find one that is comfortable to hold onto.  Although most paddles are somewhat lightweight, the key is to pick up several units and go through your paddling motion.  This is best done while in a sitting position to simulate what it will be like in your kayak.  First, try a standard paddle with a straight shaft made out of metal with plastic blades.  Next, pick up a composite paddle made of more lightweight compounds.  Finally, try a paddle with ergonomically bent hand holds different than a straight shaft.  What you want to determine is what material you prefer to use.  After that, the choice comes down to the type of shaft you prefer, either straight or ergonomic. From doing a good bit of paddling, I will say that your paddle will take its fair share of abuse.  Besides being a means of propulsion, it is what you use to push off of obstructions and along with a multitude of other uses.  In all those cases, the paddle is coming in contact with hard surfaces.  Because of that, I am a fan of composite paddles.  I have found that sort of material is very strong and lightweight.  You will pay a bit more for this type of paddle, but it is worth it.  Remember, that is the only piece of equipment you have to get yourself back onto dry land and out of a bad situation.  Boaters don't skimp on their outboard motors and you shouldn't skimp on your motor.

     If you are looking for a place to get in a few casts while not driving too far from Winston-Salem, look no further than Tanglewood Park.  It's a great place for a quick fishing getaway with minimum amount of tackle. There are two fishing ponds located within the park, and I recently fished Mallard Lake near the golf course one Saturday afternoon with my daughter.

     Upon arriving at the lake, the first question you face is where to fish since it is a relatively large lake in length.  I did a quick scan of the area looking for structure that would most likely hold fish.  Much of the shoreline was featureless which typically means that fish will not be there.  I try to eliminate water as fast as possible by avoiding those areas with no structure such as a log in the water or even a overhanging tree casting a shadow on the water.  I focused on the end of lake with a small island in the middle and some wood cover along the shore.  The picture below shows the roughly 30 yard stretch of water we fished.  What is not readily visible is the cover underneath the water next to the shore.

      I took a very basic tackle with me knowing that we would be targeting bream and possibly some small bass.  As shown below, I relied on Berkley Gulp! (http://www.berkley-fishing.com/)  for the bream and a small Road Runner (http://www.ttiblakemore.com/home/) with a chartreuse body for the bass. 

     When we started fishing, I was targeting any visible structure with the the Gulp! under a cork and fished on a telescoping pole.  Instead of having to buy crickets or worms, the Gulp! provides a nice alternative with good results.  My daughter was rewarded with multiple strikes from small bream one of which is shown in the picture below.

        The fish were small but anything pulling on the end of the line is great in my book.  While the bream kept her occupied, I was using an ultralight outfit with the Road Runner to target bass.  Instead of casting straight in front of me, I chose to cast parallel to the shore.  By doing this, you can cover more water and catch any bass that might be using the shadow lines from the trees on the water as an ambush point.  Also, the bream were biting much closer to the shore than I expected.  Since they are a natural prey for bass, the bass might be in this same section of water looking for a meal.  After a few casts, I was rewarded with a nice bass that gave a good fight on light tackle



      In the end, it was a nice trip without having to drive very far.  If you are looking to get a few casts in, check out Tanglewood Park, and I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

       After you have determined which style of kayak best suits you, the next item to consider is the length of the 'yak. In general, the normal recreational kayak will fall within the 11 to 16 foot range.  This is another area in which you will want to consider the activity you will be doing and the type of water being paddled.  If you are going to be on small backwaters and creeks, then a 16 foot kayak may not be the easiest to handle in a confined space.  However, that 12 foot model might be just right to make the tight turns and maneuver in a confined space. If you are paddling on a large body of water, a 16 foot 'yak may be the better option for you.
     After owning two 12 foot kayaks and a 13.5 foot kayak, I can say that a shorter 'yak is much easier to handle.  It may not seem like an additional 12 to 16 inches would make much of a difference, but it is quite a difference from loading onto your vehicle to paddling.  What you do gain in handling, you give up in weight and storage capability.  For an extended trip or a camping excursion, a 14 to 16 foot yak will give you more capacity to carry all your gear.  The last thing you want is to overload a kayak which can spell disaster and a loss of goods.  One bright spot is that some manufacturers make kayaks in this 14 to 16 foot range with the option of adding a second seat for another paddler. Two companies doing this are Native Watercraft http://nativewatercraft.com/ and Jackson Kayak http://jacksonkayak.com/. The key benefit here is that you can use this as a solo yak or convert it to a two person model.  Essentially, you can buy one kayak and get the benefits as if you had two separate yaks.
      As with any kayak purchase, make sure to take a test paddle.  Some of the brands I prefer in addition to Native Watercraft and Jackson Kayak are Ocean Kayak (http://www.oceankayak.com/) and Malibu Kayaks (http://www.malibukayaks.com/).  You might be surprised at what length of yaks fits you best.

      When selecting a kayak, it is important to first determine the type of water you will be fishing or paddling.  By doing this, you can make your experience much more pleasurable by having the right 'yak for the job.  For the purposes of this article, I will be discussing a sit-on-top kayak and a hybrid kayak.
       If your goal is to paddle on calm, protected waters a hybrid kayak may be the choice for you.  To clear up the terminology here, a hybrid is a cross between a canoe and a kayak.  These have higher sides like a canoe but the manuverability of a kayak.  With this style, you get a bit more room on the inside to stack gear and, in general, a more comfortable seat.  I have paddled this style of kayak and enjoyed the storage and secure feeling of having sides around me.  The seat also made paddling for extended periods much nicer.  The main drawback on this 'yak is its lack of scuppers.  A scupper is a hole in the bottom of the kayak that allows water to drain out while you are paddling.  Typically, a sit on top kayak will have four to six of these scuppers strategically placed in areas where water can gather.  If you are paddling and are hit by a large boat wake or trapped in a rain shower, the scuppers won't allow water to accumulate.  Essentially, it is a self bailing mechanism for a kayak.  With a hybrid, you do not have these drains.  You must use a sponge or small hand pump to remove any excess water that becomes trapped on the bottom of your 'yak.  It is important to realize that with every paddle stroke you take, water drips into your kayak.  This may not seem like much but after paddling for an hour, you will notice the water that has accumulated.  Anyone who has paddled a canoe will be able to relate to the water that finds its way in but appreciate a nice seat and generous storage.
       A sit-on-top (SOT) kayak is more of the classic kayak except that the paddler sits on top of the 'yak instead of inside.  If you face rough or choppy water and like greater freedom of movement,this might be the kayak for you.  One inherent advantage to this is that the paddler has greater maneuverability since there are no real sides.  In a hybrid, you can only really face forward because of the sides keepng your legs positioned in one direction, but in a SOT, you can freely move your legs.  When you finish your paddle, you can simply swing your legs over the side into the water.  This may not seem like much, but when you are fishing, it is nice to have this option, and I prefer to be in this position while casting.  With scuppers in the yak', you can cross rough water and go through inclement weather without a concern of being swamped.  What you do give up with a SOT, is storage.  Your gear will be much more exposed to the weather since it is closer to the water line without the protection of sidse.  It is important to note that scuppers will let a bit of water into the 'yak so your gear will get wet on the bottom unless it is slightly raised or in a specifically waterproof container.  A SOT is perfect for a beginner since they are easy to paddle and give an easy way on and off.  Also, the angler will like the manuverability and relative easy of transport.
       When trying to decide between the type of kayak you should purchase, I highly recommend taking a test paddle on a demo day.  Your local kayak shop will usually have these in the early spring.  It all comes down to what feels best to you and in what type of water you would want to paddle.