Pedal Kayaks · Fishing
The Old Town Topwater 120 PDL is what happens when a legendary boat builder decides to make pedal fishing affordable. You get Old Town’s proven PDL drive, a super-stable DoubleU hull, and a 12-foot platform that’s ready to fish right out of the box.
The Old Town Topwater 120 PDL is what happens when a legendary boat builder decides to make pedal fishing affordable. You get Old Town’s proven PDL drive, a super-stable DoubleU hull, and a 12-foot platform that’s ready to fish right out of the box.
If you want to skip ahead and see what it costs, check the current price here.
I’ve fished from plenty of budget kayaks that cut corners where it hurts. The Topwater 120 PDL doesn’t feel like a compromise boat. It feels like Old Town took the essential parts of a great pedal fishing kayak and skipped the fluff.
Who the Topwater 120 PDL Is For
This kayak is for the angler who wants hands-free fishing without spending top dollar. If you’re upgrading from a paddle kayak and want your first pedal drive, this is one of the smartest entry points in the market. It’s also great for pond hoppers, lake anglers, and anyone who fishes calm to moderate water.
It’s not built for big open water or long offshore runs. The 12-foot hull and wide beam are about stability and fishing, not speed. If you regularly cross big bays, look at a longer, narrower hull.
Stability and On-the-Water Feel
The DoubleU hull is the star here. It’s a pontoon-style design that puts a ton of primary stability under you. Standing to cast feels natural, and the EVA foam deck pads give you solid grip underfoot. You can sight fish, flip docks, and work a frog through pads standing up.
The trade-off is glide. This hull is wide and stable, not fast. It pedals efficiently enough for fishing, and the large rudder with the long retraction lever makes steering easy. But if you need to cover three miles of shoreline fast, you’ll feel the hull working against you. That’s the price of stability, and most anglers gladly pay it.
Seat and Comfort
The Topwater 120 PDL uses the Element Air seat with high and low positions. The mesh cover breathes well and drains water, which keeps you cooler and drier on hot days. The seat adjusts along a shuttle track to fit your leg length, and the lumbar support is solid for a kayak in this price range.
Dropping the seat to the low position helps in wind or rougher water. Raising it up gives you a better casting view and makes standing easier. It’s a simple system that works.
Storage and Rigging
You get three rod holders (one forward facing, two rear facing), dual accessory tracks on the forward hull, an oversized stern tankwell, and a sealed bow hatch for dry storage. There’s under-seat storage with a custom tackle box, plus a universal transducer mounting system that makes fish finder installs easy.
Horizontal rod storage along the deck keeps rods low and protected when you’re moving through brush or under docks. The paddle parks on a hull-mounted clip so it’s out of the way while you pedal. For a mid-priced kayak, the outfitting is generous.
Pedal Drive Performance
The PDL drive is the same proven unit Old Town has used for years: instant forward and reverse, smooth pedaling, and a reputation for reliability. The easy-docking system makes launch and landing simple. You can pop the drive in and out without a fight, which matters when you’re launching from a muddy bank.
Pedaling is quiet, which is a bigger deal than it sounds. A silent drive lets you sneak up on shallow fish without the whirring and clicking that spooks them. The drive pairs well with the wide hull, giving you precise boat control for working structure.
Honest Drawbacks
At 116 pounds fully assembled, this is a heavy boat. Car-topping it alone is a workout. Most owners end up with a trailer or a truck bed, and I’d recommend planning for that from day one.
The single-layer polyethylene hull is tough and affordable, but it can oil-can (dent) if stored wrong or left in the heat on a roof rack. Store it on its side or on padded supports and you’ll be fine.
Also, this is a fishing kayak, not a speed boat. If your home water requires long runs across open water, the wide hull will feel slow compared to a 13 or 14-foot touring-style fishing kayak.
Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 12′ |
| Width | 36″ |
| Weight | 116 lbs (assembled) |
| Max capacity | 500 lbs |
| Drive type | Pedal (PDL Drive, forward/reverse) |
Old Town Topwater 120 PDL Fishing Kayak FAQ
Can you stand and fish in the Topwater 120 PDL?
Yes. The DoubleU hull and 36-inch beam make it a very stable standing platform, and the EVA deck pads give you good traction.
How much does the Topwater 120 PDL weigh?
It weighs 116 pounds fully assembled. Plan on a trailer, truck bed, or a good kayak cart for transport.
Does the Topwater 120 PDL come with a fish finder mount?
It has a universal transducer mounting system built in, which makes installing your fish finder quick and clean.
Is the Topwater 120 PDL good for beginners?
Yes. The stable hull, simple PDL drive, and comfortable seat make it one of the friendliest pedal fishing kayaks to learn on.
Where to Buy
If the Old Town Topwater 120 PDL 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 106 Fishing Kayak.
For the latest colors, specs, and warranty details, see the official Old Town website for the Old Town Topwater 120 PDL.
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