Pedal Kayaks · Fishing
A pedal kayak under 11 feet that you can car-top, stand up in, and fish all day? That is exactly what the Sportsman PDL 106 delivers.
A pedal kayak under 11 feet that you can car-top, stand up in, and fish all day? That is exactly what the Sportsman PDL 106 delivers. It is Old Town’s compact pedal fishing kayak, and it has earned a loyal following among anglers who want the PDL drive without hauling a 13-foot boat.
If you want to skip the reading and see what it costs right now, check the current price here.
Who the PDL 106 is for
This kayak is for the angler who wants hands-free fishing but does not want a huge boat. If you load and unload solo, store the kayak in a garage, and fish ponds, rivers, creeks, and inshore flats, the 106 fits your life better than the bigger 120 or 132. The short length makes it easy to maneuver in tight creeks and backwaters where a long kayak gets stuck.
It is not ideal if you regularly cross big open water or carry a ton of gear for multi-day trips. That is what the longer PDL models are for.
The PDL drive: instant forward and reverse
The award-winning PDL drive is the main reason to buy this boat. You get instant forward and reverse, which makes holding position on a spot or backing out of a tight creek almost effortless. It is saltwater-ready and low maintenance, with a patented easy-docking system that makes launching and landing painless. Old Town backs it with a 5-year warranty, the best drive coverage in the industry.
Stability and standing
The DoubleU hull is 36 inches wide and ultra-stable. Most anglers can stand and cast from it comfortably, especially with the non-slip EVA foam deck pads underfoot. It is quiet too, which matters when you are stalking shallow fish. The trade-off for that width is speed. It is not a fast boat, and pedaling into a stiff wind takes some leg work.
Comfort and storage
The seat is excellent. It has great lumbar support, adjusts on a shuttle track to fit your leg length, and the mesh cover lets water drain and air flow so you stay dry on hot days. Storage is well thought out: an oversized stern tank well for a crate or cooler, sealed bow hatch for dry gear, storage under the seat with a custom tackle box included, side pockets under the accessory tracks, and dedicated horizontal rod storage. Two 18-inch accessory tracks on the forward hull make adding rod holders, a fish finder, or a camera mount simple.
For electronics, we recommend the new Accuphy Ping Live Mini live sonar system. It retails for $699. See it here.
Fishing features come standard: one forward-facing and two rear-facing flush-mount rod holders, a cup holder, a universal transducer mounting system for your fish finder, and a hull-mounted paddle clip.
Honest drawbacks
The big one is weight. The hull is 95 pounds and the drive adds another 18.5, so moving it around off the water is work. “Light enough to car top” is true compared to a 132, but this is not a one-handed carry. Pull the drive and seat out before lifting and it gets much easier. Also, at 10’6″ it is slower than the longer PDL models, so covering big water takes more effort.
Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 10 ft 6 in |
| Width | 36 in |
| Hull weight | 95 lb |
| PDL drive weight | 18.5 lb |
| Total capacity | 450 lb |
| Usable capacity | 356 lb |
| Drive type | PDL pedal drive (forward/reverse) |
| Style | Sit-on-top |
| Material | Single-layer polyethylene |
| Rod holders | 3 flush-mount |
Frequently asked questions
Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 Fishing Kayak FAQ
Can you stand and fish in the PDL 106?
Yes. The 36-inch DoubleU hull and non-slip EVA deck pads make it a stable stand-up platform for most anglers.
Is the pedal drive easy to maintain?
The PDL drive is low maintenance and saltwater-ready, and Old Town covers it with a 5-year warranty. Rinse it after saltwater use like any gear.
Does the PDL 106 come with a paddle?
No, the paddle is not included. Most owners carry one as a backup since the drive handles propulsion.
What is the usable weight capacity?
Usable capacity is 356 lb for people and gear, after the hull and drive weight are factored in.
Where to Buy
If the Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 Fishing Kayak sounds like your kind of boat, check the current price:
Also check out our reviews of the Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 Fishing Kayak, Old Town Sportsman BigWater PDL 132 Fishing Kayak, Old Town Malibu PDL Fishing Kayak, Old Town Predator/BigWater PDL 132 Fishing Kayak, and Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 PRO Fishing Kayak.
For the latest colors, specs, and warranty details, see the official Old Town website for the Old Town Sportsman PDL 106.
Affiliate disclosure: KayakDIY may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this article, at no additional cost to the reader. Product availability, pricing, and promo codes can change; verify them before purchasing.
