An inside perspective on the kayak fishing hand paddle revolution - from the makers of the kayak fishing hand paddle revolution.

Kayak fishing is one of the fastest growing sports in the outdoor sporting and paddle sports markets. With this explosion of growth came opportunity. Kayak fishermen are beginning to reap the benefits of new concepts and technologies in advancing their sport.

Having said that, kayak anglers and sportsmen are clamoring for new equipment, paddle gear and accessories to stay ahead of their competition.

It was a fishing comedy on water. Jim was in the saltwater flats flailing a seven-foot kayak paddle. He was trying to hold onto an eight foot fishing pole while chasing a redfish through the mangroves. I thought, “He needs another hand to juggle that kayak paddle and hold his rod.”

Paddle or fish? All kayak fishermen have experienced the difficulty of paddling your kayak and holding your fishing rod. How do you hold onto your eight-foot fishing rod with one hand and stealthily paddle your kayak with the other? No matter how you wrestle that seven foot kayak paddle, it requires two hands.  Something has to be set down to do the other.

It became readily apparent that kayak fishermen and sportsmen did not realize there was a hand paddle being designed to make their fishing experience more rewarding!

This is when the kayak fishing hand paddle concept was born. It is a simple solution to a confusing problem encountered while kayak fishing.

Intrepid kayak anglers and sportsmen could be found with the likes of ping pong paddles, Kadema paddles, and modified racquets silently navigating their kayaks while chasing fish. The principal concept of kayak fishing hand paddles was developed by kayak anglers and sportsmen to stealthily move their boat while continuing to fish.

Finally it was time to bring the kayak fishing hand paddle initiative mainstream. Today, these lightweight and ubiquitous paddles are transforming the kayak fishing sport.

Kayak fishing hand paddle designs evolved from experienced kayak anglers and sportsmen working closely with the paddle sports manufacturing community. Keeping the kayak fishing hand paddles fully functional was the primary interest. Providing a lightweight, durable, short and floatable paddle was mandatory.

Paddle evolution has not come very far since the inception of paddlesports to the modern paddling masses. Paddle design has basically remained unchanged since the Inuit’s first stretched seal skins over wooden frames.* The basic paddle blade concept has worked well until now. Nominal manufacturing and material changes resulting in preference of weight and durability reflect most purchasing decisions today.

Kayak anglers have declared it is time to adapt and overcome those traditional barriers!

Simply place one of these six-ounce or seven-ounce kayak fishing hand paddles between your legs, or close by.  Stow away that unwieldy seven-foot kayak paddle. Grab your fishing rod. Now you can stealthily paddle and fish without spooking your prey.

There is a couple of fishing hand paddle models available to the kayak angler and sportsmen market. After the first kayak fishing hand paddle prototypes were tested, it became apparent that having more functions would add to the benefit.

The “hook and teeth” blade designs became readily accessible and dominate the kayak fishing hand paddle market. Having a fishing hand paddle is awesome; having that ability to grab onto or push off any object with the hook and teeth is a real bonus.

It works great for the kayak fishermen, sportsmen, photographers and enthusiasts who need an extra hand while practicing their paddle sport.

It is truly amazing how having that one paddle, a kayak fishing hand paddle, has made all the difference in stealthily moving your kayak without spooking your prey!  Who would have thought?

Fish On!

ED HALM is a retired U.S. Navy survival instructor. He is also an avid outdoor sportsman, kayak eco-tour guide and owner of Backwater Paddle Company, a paddlesports business located in central Florida (backwaterpaddles.com).

*ED. NOTE: Notwithstanding the advent of asymmetrical and dihedral blade shapes, ergonomic shafts and advanced materials such as foam core, carbon fiber, etc.