Pedal Kayaks · Fishing
The Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 is one of those kayaks that shows up in more driveways every year. At 12 feet long with a 36-inch beam, it is a pedal-driven fishing kayak built for hands-free fishing, with a stable double-hull design and a pedal drive that goes forward and reverse with a simple shift
The Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 is one of those kayaks that shows up in more driveways every year. At 12 feet long with a 36-inch beam, it is a pedal-driven fishing kayak built for hands-free fishing, with a stable double-hull design and a pedal drive that goes forward and reverse with a simple shift of the pedals.
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Who This Kayak Is For
This is a great fit for anglers who fish lakes, ponds, slow rivers, and bays and want to keep their hands on the rod instead of the paddle. If you have been paddling a sit-on-top and you are tired of fighting wind with a paddle while trying to hold position on a spot, the PDL 120 will feel like a big upgrade. It is also friendly for bigger anglers, with a 500-pound total capacity.
Stability and Standing
The DoubleU hull is the heart of this boat. It is wide and flat enough that most anglers can stand and cast without white-knuckling the rails. I like it best on calm mornings when I can stand on the EVA foam deck pads and sight fish the shallows. In chop, the secondary stability is solid, though at 12 feet this is not a big-water boat. The sealed bow hatch and draining mesh seat keep the deck fairly dry.
Pedal Drive Performance
The PDL Drive is the main reason to buy this kayak. Instant forward and reverse is a real advantage when you are working a shoreline or holding against current, because you never have to pick up a paddle to back off a laydown. The drive is low maintenance and saltwater ready, and the easy-docking system makes it simple to pull the drive at the ramp so you can float into skinny water without scraping the prop. The included rudder steers from a low-profile knob by the seat, and tracking is good for a boat this wide.
Comfort and Seat
The Element seating system adjusts on a shuttle track so you can dial in leg length for pedaling. Lumbar support is genuinely good, and the mesh cover keeps you from sitting in a puddle on hot days. The foot braces snap-lock along a rail, which keeps your pedaling position locked in.
Storage and Rigging
You get a large open cockpit, an oversized tankwell with bungees, and a sealed bow hatch for dry storage. There is under-seat storage that holds tackle, and Old Town even includes a custom tackle box. Dual 18-inch accessory tracks up front give you room for a fish finder, rod holders, and a camera mount without drilling. One forward-facing and two rear-facing flush-mount rod holders come standard, plus horizontal rod storage along the side.
Honest Drawbacks
No kayak is perfect, and the PDL 120 is not either. Fully assembled, this boat weighs 116 pounds including the 19-pound pedal console. That is heavy for cartopping solo, so plan on a trailer, a cart, or a buddy. You will want to remove the drive and seat before lifting. Also, at 12 feet, it is not the fastest boat on the water. It cruises fine but you will work harder than a longer, narrower hull on long crossings. And pedal drives plus fly line are a tricky combo: line can wrap the pedals, so fly anglers should keep a stripping basket handy.
Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 12 ft |
| Width | 36 in |
| Hull weight | ~87 lbs |
| Assembled weight | 116 lbs |
| Total capacity | 500 lbs |
| Drive type | Pedal (PDL drive) |
| Style | Sit-on-top |
Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 Fishing Kayak FAQ
Is the Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 good for standing?
Yes. The DoubleU hull and 36-inch beam make it a stable standing platform on calm water, and the EVA deck pads give you solid traction.
Does it have reverse?
Yes. The PDL drive gives you instant forward and reverse without turning anything around, which helps a lot when working structure.
Can I add a fish finder?
Yes. It has a universal transducer mounting system and dual accessory tracks for mounting the display.
How heavy is it for transport?
The hull is about 87 pounds and the assembled boat is 116 pounds. Most owners remove the 19-pound drive and the seat before lifting it onto a rack or trailer.
Where to Buy
If the Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 Fishing Kayak sounds like your kind of boat, check the current price:
Also check out our reviews of the Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 Fishing Kayak, and Old Town Sportsman 120 Fishing Kayak.
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