I drove 1.5 hours to Clearlake today. Sleepy, tired from an exhausting work week. Loaded up kayak into the water, jumped in and reached for my paddle…..screech!   I forgot it. I can picture it leaning against the wall in my garage.  
 

I look down at my pedaled drive and head into the lake.  If I’m being honest, it’s unnerving not having a paddle.  I had to fish conservatively and stay out of the weeds.  If I get caught in the weeds and I guess I’m swimming my kayak out. If I was with a friend, I’d beg for half a paddle, and buy lunch.  Worst case scenario, I could have pedal drive failure.  I never realized how much I use my paddle to reposition.  I fished 6 hours and got off the water when the wind picked up.    I didn’t want to get blown into a weed bed. 
 

the rules are two modes of propulsion.   I caught a bass on my third cast.  That single fish made me stay out.  Haha.  
 

 

The only time I use my paddle is at launch and when I return from my trip. I launch at my hotel, and because it's not easy to step off our docks into my kayak I put the pedal drive on the dock, launch from the land, paddle to the dock, and then set up my pedal drive. I reverse that when coming back.

 

I never use the paddle while out fishing. I use my pedal drive and rudder to reposition.

Like Koz I only use a paddle to launch and land,however, there is a few places I go that have shallow areas where Ill lift up the propel drive and use a paddle.  Knock on wood I havent forgotten a paddle in the 5 years Ive been kayak fishing, if I did I would just send it! 

 

I have had my steering/rudder cable break while on the water, not a fun day trying to paddle back with a left hand that partially works especially when the fish were biting.  I have now upgraded the whole steering system on my kayak and for what Native charges for a kayak it should come that way IMHO.

Mine is attached to the side of my kayak so I never forget it.  I would fish without it though.

I always bring my paddle.  I have been blown into the bank more times than I can count and would be in trouble if I didn't have my paddle to push me free. 

I'm with VKB; mine is always attached to the side. I wouldn't fish without it mainly due to the fact that I usually fish the nastiest areas I can possibly find, so I have to pull up my pedal assembly frequently. I use the pedal assembly to get me from one bad spot to another. Only rarely will I fish with it down.

yea.  I forgot to attach my paddle to the side of my kayak.  

This thread is a good reminder.  I gave my hand paddle to my wife.  Now that she has a 'paddle holder', I need to get my hand paddle back.  (Curiously,  her Native Propel came with no way to secure a paddle.)

  I go for months without touching a paddle.  But one time last year, I had a cable fail on the Potomac .... downstream.  If I didn't have a paddle, I'd probably still be adrift....maybe somewhere in the Caribbean about now.

  I always have a paddle with me....and usually a Backwater hand paddle, too....even though I (almost) never use them.  I keep a paddle in my truck all the time,  so I probably would never have to make the choice....but...would I go without one....probably....but I'd also be nervous all day.

My last fishing kayak had a motor drive but always carried a telescoping emergency paddle and had to use it.

Yes I would fish, but probably wouldn't forget it again.

17 hours ago, king fisher said:

Yes I would fish, but probably wouldn't forget it again.

that's the plan.  I am loading up tonight for an EAAARRRLY drive.  triple checking the paddle for sure.

I did once on a smaller lake.  Had to use my net as a 'paddle' to push through the weeds after launching, was fine after that.  But I usually fish rivers so I don't want to be without it.  Few weeks ago I realized I forgot mine after about 30 into heading out of town for the weekend, turned around and went back to grab it.  

I was on the lake the other day and my trolling motor got completely jammed by some old fishing line and stopped working.  I had to paddle almost a mile in 100° heat.  You'd think I'm glad I had my paddle with me.  But in retrospect, if I didn't, I probably would have hopped in the water and swam my kayak to shore, and kept a lot cooler in the process.  I was beat!  

 

Another option, which I've had to do in extreme winds, is to take your anchor, throw it in front of you, and after it hits the bottom, pull yourself forward and repeat. 

 

But yeah, I use my paddle all of the time.  More often for pushing off docks and trees and stuff, but also for positioning and getting out of weeds.  I don't think I'd turn around without it, but I'd definitely feel a bit naked. 

My mindset is always have a backup. If I bring my trolling motor, I also have my pedals. If I go pedals, I bring my paddle. I wouldn’t go out without it since trying to swim a yak back to shore is incredibly dangerous. If you have a medical emergency, or are otherwise injured you will now float around until you reach shore or a boater picks you up. I fish big waters often and in the ocean several times a year. In those cases I will also include a sat phone. I take more precautions than most, but I often go out in rougher water for longer and I’m alone at least 50% of the time. 

I don't have a pedal yak but I do have a motor now and I always bring a paddle and i don't even put it away.  I guess old habits die hard because I use it a lot when i get to a spot to maneuver and even though it probably doesn't matter, i am sure it is quieter to paddle than motor. 

On 7/22/2022 at 6:00 PM, TNBankFishing said:

My mindset is always have a backup. If I bring my trolling motor, I also have my pedals. If I go pedals, I bring my paddle. I wouldn’t go out without it since trying to swim a yak back to shore is incredibly dangerous. If you have a medical emergency, or are otherwise injured you will now float around until you reach shore or a boater picks you up. I fish big waters often and in the ocean several times a year. In those cases I will also include a sat phone. I take more precautions than most, but I often go out in rougher water for longer and I’m alone at least 50% of the time. 

agree.  i have been with a friend that lost a paddle, and i gave him half of mine to get by.  we ended up finding his later in the day.  

My paddle is in my van and has been since I bought it. Hard to forget it!

 

I highly suggest people make a check list. Not everything, just the basics and safety. I do it for backpacking. If I forget something out there it could be bad.

 

I would go without the paddle depending on where I was, but I'd rather not. of course I never use it, until I need it one day! I've used it to paddle out of weeds (Delta), but I could have managed pedaling and cleaning the drive if I had to.

 

But if that pedal drive should break you're up the creek w/out the paddle. I have a tiny one-handed paddle for micro adjustments in my yak too. Maybe store one of those in the hatch full time? I wouldn't go very far without it.

 

Also, if you hit rough water a paddle often works better than pedals.

 

I think it will depend of the size and type of lake, there are some that I wouldn't .. I keep another paddle inside my kayak just for this. 

I won’t. I’m lucky, I’ve only forgotten it once. I drove an hour home and fished locally instead of trekking back another hour.

On 7/27/2022 at 3:30 PM, DogBone_384 said:

I won’t. I’m lucky, I’ve only forgotten it once. I drove an hour home and fished locally instead of trekking back another hour.

smart.  really smart.

 

thinking back, I didn't enjoy the trip because of the extra anxiety it caused.  I am buying a second MUCH improved paddle.  I will keep the first one strapped underneath my truck shell as a backup.  

My paddle is in halves clamped down on the back of my Hobie. I'm not even sure I've ever connected the two halves. I always want a paddle with me just in case, with that said if I forgot my paddle and drove more than 15 minutes to the ramp I'd still fish.

 

When I launch or come in I use my stake out pole to push off and get in and prefer that to scraping up my paddle on a concrete ramp or rocks. 

22 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

smart.  really smart.

Don’t tell my wife!

I've had multiple guys at my local kayak outfitter tell me they no longer bring a paddle. They are using motors. I use a motor too, but would never intentionally go out without my paddle.