The two most important factors in choosing the right size kayak paddle are your kayak’s width and your own height. If your paddle is too short you may find yourself banging your knuckles on the edge of your boat or be forced to lean with your strokes. If it’s too long, you’ll be carrying extra swing weight and may have less control over your kayak.
Kayak Paddle Sizing Guide
| Kayak Width | Under 23" | 24" to 28" | 29"-33" | 34"+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddler Height | Recommended Paddle Length | |||
| Under 5'5" | 210 cm | 220 cm | 230 cm | 240 cm |
| 5'5" - 5'11" | 220 cm | 230 cm | 240 cm | 250 cm |
| 6'+ | 220 cm | 230 cm | 250 cm | 260 cm |
Add 10cm for every 6in of raised seat
Adjustable ferrules are commonly used by kayak fishermen because of their versatility and ability to accommodate wider boats and adjustable seats.
Adjustable ferrules are also great if there will be paddlers of different sizes using the same kayak. Or one paddler using different types of kayaks.
Kayak fishing paddles are designed with a wide, high-angle blade so you can paddle your gear-laden boat with ease.
As you can see from the chart, the wider your boat, the longer your paddle needs to be. If you’re tall, you’ll need a longer paddle, too.
Recreational kayaks are wide and stable, so you’ll need a longer paddle to be able to reach the water easily. Touring kayaks are narrower, and sea kayaks are narrower yet, meaning your paddle can be shorter since you have less reach toward the water.
Measure your kayak’s width across its widest point. If you’re kayak shopping, the manufacturers will list width as one of the specs of each boat.
High-Angle or Low-Angle Paddling?
One other factor will play a part in your paddle’s length: are you a high-angle or a low-angle paddler?
High-angle paddling is aggressive and fast. Because the strokes are more vertical, your paddle should be shorter. Whitewater kayakers and speed-lovers use high-angle strokes often.
Low-angle paddling is relaxed and meant for long days on the water. Your strokes are more horizontal and so your paddle should be longer. Touring and recreational kayakers use mostly low-angle strokes.
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The Angler Classic gives you all the bells and whistles that our high-end fishing paddles do, at a price any kayak fisherman can afford. The rugged fiberglass-reinforced nylon blades are propelled by a durable fiberglass shaft, giving you the push you need without worrying about durability.
Check the length of your catch with the dual tape measure on the shaft (in both inches and centimeters), and get those pesky hooks free again with the hook retrieval system built right into the blade.
To customize your angling experience, the Bending Branches Angler Classic is available with either orange or sage green blades.
The Angler Classic comes with a snug-fitting 3 hole snap-button ferrule that allows for adjustable feather angles of 0° and 60°, left or right hand control.
The Angler Classic is available in sizes ranging from 220cm to 280cm, in 10cm increments.
| Size | 6.9 x 17.5 in. (18 x 44 cm.) |
| Surface Area | 95 sq. in. (613 sq. cm.) |
| Blade | epX Engineered Polymer, Fiberglass Reinforced |
| Blade Color | OrangeSage Green |
| Shaft | Fiberglass |
| Length | 220cm, 230cm, 240cm, 250cm, 260cm, 270cm, 280cm |
| Features | Ovalized for Comfort, Tape Measure |
| Shaft Pieces | 2-Piece |
| Weight | 34 oz. (964.00g) |
| Feathering Angles | 0° & 60° (L or R) |
| Ferrule | Snap-Button |
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