Tag Archives: Kayak Fishing

What is the correct orientation to hold a Kayak paddle?

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I have been a kayaker for years now but have always used a basic rectangular fined kayak paddle. I bought a new fiberglass one that has a more aerodynamic shape. See picture, my old paddle is like the bottom one, new one is like the top one: http://members.optusnet.com.au/aus-kayak-fishing/articles/img/paddles.jpg

I would think I would orient this new one so that the wider half of the paddle (the edge closest to the text) would enter the water first, common sense tells me that this way even shallow paddles give you a large surface area to paddle with.

Yet pictures I have seen show kayakers holding the paddle like the way it is shown in the picuture, the wider part of the blade entering the water last. Is this the correct way to do it? Why is that?

Any nice places to river/lake kayak in the SF Bay Area?

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I live in Palo Alto, and this summer, I want to try a bit of kayaking for fun. I’m 16, pretty athletic, and up for any challenge (fast rivers sound fun). I would like to go on long, whole day scenic trips with my friends and eventually get into kayak fishing. Are there any nice places around the SF bay/Santa Cruz where I can rent a kayak and experiment with kayaking? I have heard that Loch Lomond and Coyote Creek are nice places, but do they rent out kayaks?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

P.s. Is there a kayak forum I can join to ask questions like these?

Kayak recommendations…?

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I am close to choosing a kayak and wanted to run my thoughts/choices by those that know for their comments. I am 185 lbs, male, 6′ 2″ and am seriously considering the Wilderness systems Tarpon 140 angler unit. A friend of mine has this model and I like the sit on top feature as well as the comfort features. I will be using this kayak to explore and mostly fish the shallow inside waters of Mustang Island, Port Aransas, TX and near Corpus Christie. If any of you are anglers and have a better/different choice, I’d sure like to look them over.

Also, what are your recommendations for a car top carrier? I already have a cartop unit on my truck cap and am thinking of the Malone Stax Pro2 Kayak Carrier. I plan to purchase two Tarpon 140 kayaks – one for me, one for my wife.

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=1157043&categoryId=0&parentCategoryId=0&subCategoryId=0&indexId=0&productVariantId=2876928&quantity=1&itemGUID=&WTz_l=Header%25253BSearch-All+Products&destination=/user/wishlist.jsp

Since I am brand new to kayak fishing, any information will be very much appreciated regarding what I definitely need to get. Specific recommendations regarding paddle types preferred, etc is what I’m looking for. I have several kayak fishing books so I am familiar with at least some of the items I’ll be needing. Experience however is the best teacher as to what works best and what doesn’t.