Paddle

Which paddle do you use? I'm looking to upgrade mine.

Thanks!

I started out with a Bending Branches Slice paddle 5 years ago, it's now my backup paddle. I upgraded to an AquaBound Manta Ray carbon paddle with the Posi-Lok. It's a little lighter and has a larger blade area than the Bending Branches paddle. Both work well and are a bit under $200.

I dig my Werner Camano.

Lots of Paddles on the market...



Mariner sails in Dallas & Mountain Sports in Arlington keep a nice selection in stock. A 240 length is n good all around length for me. Longer gets in my way n shorter makes me stretch out. Have owed several even an organomic carbon fiber. To each his own. I prefer a straight shift over organic but, like carbon fibers weight over a plastic n aluminum. I prefer a flexible blade over a stiff blade but, I have both. I also prefer a round paddle shaft to an oval. If u buy a good name brand paddle they will likely replace it at no charge if it is defective or breaks under normal use (Not abused).

Werner & Aqua Bound also make some nice ones. Don't recommend a big blade unless u have guns like the Dwayne Johnson. A medium size blade is what I prefer.
If u r on a tight budget u should try an Academy 240 length paddle. Be sure n buy the lightest weight paddle u can afford. U can always mark your paddle at 10", 12", 14" 18" & 24" etc. yourself depending on what fish u intend on harvesting or CPRing

I started out with a Aquabound Sequel and then later upgraded to an ONO, and then more recently a Bending Branches Navigator 230. Must have put over 5000 miles on the first one before it fell off my car while crossing a bridge and got run over by about 10 vehicles before I could retrieve it. It broke in half while paddling on Monticello a few years later. Still use the ONO for backup.

I have a Bending Branches Angler Classic. It's a good paddle. The hook retrieval notch is pretty handy. You can use it to get a lure loose from an underwater snag, and you can use it to grab an overhead tree branch and pull it down so you can unhook your fly/lure from the tree. Great idea.

I also have an AquaBound Sting Ray Carbon paddle. It doesn't have a ruler or a hook retrieval notch, but it's lighter and seems like a little stiffer. Great paddle to use all day long. One of the best buys for a carbon paddle.

I swing an all carbon werner corryvreckyn and my match swings an all carbon werner ikelos. They are both high end paddles that are super light and tough. They really grab the water. We will never swing anything else. They are a biy pricy but well worth the money.