Pedal Kayaks · Fishing
Here’s the pitch: a 12 foot fishing kayak that fits in a roller bag. The CAJO Highlander 120 AirTrek PDL is an inflatable SUP-kayak hybrid with a welded drop-stitch hull, a framed seat, real gear tracks, and the option to add a pedal drive.
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Here’s the pitch: a 12 foot fishing kayak that fits in a roller bag. The CAJO Highlander 120 AirTrek PDL is an inflatable SUP-kayak hybrid with a welded drop-stitch hull, a framed seat, real gear tracks, and the option to add a pedal drive. If storage space or transport has been keeping you off the water, this one deserves a hard look.
If you want to skip ahead and see what it costs, check the current price here.
Who the Highlander 120 is for
Apartment dwellers, this is your boat. So is anyone with a small car, no roof rack, and no garage. It packs into a travel bag with roller wheels, so it lives in a closet and rides in a trunk. It’s also a great second boat for road trips, RV life, or flying to a fishing destination. If you want open-water capability in a package you can carry with one hand, that’s the whole idea here.
Stability: wide and planted
At 39 inches wide with a high-pressure drop-stitch floor, the Highlander 120 is an extremely stable platform. The wide, flat shape is confidence-inspiring for stand-up fishing, and it handles chop better than you’d expect from an inflatable. The welded dual-layer hull feels rigid underfoot once it’s fully inflated, much closer to a hard board than a pool toy. In wind, the light hull can get pushed around a bit, but the tracking is solid for the category.
Comfort and the seat
The Treklite seat is a framed, high-low seat, which is a big step up from the foam pads most inflatables use. It keeps you elevated and supported for long days, and the high-low adjustment lets you fine-tune your position. A convertible four-piece paddle is included, and it switches between SUP and kayak mode, which is handy since you can paddle this boat either way.
Storage, rigging, and the pedal drive
For an inflatable, the rigging is legit. Four integrated gear tracks take standard accessories, so your rod holders, fish finder mounts, and camera gear bolt right on. Three stern mounting points handle an anchor pole, rudder, or motor. The base package paddles, but the hull is pedal-drive compatible with Traverse or fin-style drives, and it’s sold bundled with the Traverse drive if you want hands-free propulsion from day one. The package includes the hull, seat, paddle, hand pump, and roller travel bag.
Setup is simple: unpack, inflate with the included hand pump following the printed pressure markings, drop in the seat, and launch. No trailer, no roof straps, no ramp drama.
On-the-water performance
Under paddle power, the Highlander 120 moves well for a 39 inch wide inflatable. It’s not going to keep up with a hard-shell touring kayak, but it tracks straight and covers distance comfortably, especially with the pedal drive added. The pedal option is the real unlock here. It turns the boat into a hands-free fishing machine for trolling and working shorelines, while keeping the pack-it-in-a-bag portability.
Honest drawbacks
Let’s talk about the inflatable life honestly. You have to inflate it before every trip and dry it before you pack it away, which adds 15 to 20 minutes on each end of your day. The hand pump works fine, but it’s a workout, and most owners end up wanting an electric pump eventually. Drop-stitch is tough, but it’s not a hard hull. Oyster shells, sharp rocks, and fish hooks demand respect. The pedal drive costs extra unless you buy the bundle, so compare the total price honestly against a hard-shell pedal kayak. And at 450 pounds of capacity with a 34 pound hull, it’s efficient, but wind will always push a light inflatable more than a heavy rotomolded boat.
CAJO Highlander 120 AirTrek PDL specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 12′ |
| Width | 39″ |
| Weight | 34 lbs (hull), 41 lbs (rigged) |
| Capacity | 450 lbs |
| Drive type | Paddle (pedal-drive compatible) |
CAJO Highlander 120 AirTrek PDL Fishing Kayak FAQ
Does the Highlander 120 come with a pedal drive?
The base package is paddle powered and includes the hull, seat, paddle, pump, and bag. It’s also sold bundled with the Traverse pedal drive if you want pedal power included.
How long does it take to set up?
Unpack, inflate, and attach the seat. Most people are on the water in well under half an hour once they’ve done it a couple of times.
Can you stand and fish from it?
Yes. The 39 inch wide drop-stitch platform is built for stand-up fishing and paddling.
Is it durable enough for fishing?
The welded dual-layer drop-stitch hull is tough, but like any inflatable, it needs care around sharp shells, rocks, and hooks. A repair kit and common sense go a long way.
- CAJO Highlander 120 AirTrek PDL inflatable fishing kayak on a lake
- Angler standing and casting from a CAJO Highlander 120
- CAJO Highlander 120 packed into its roller travel bag
Where to Buy
If the CAJO Highlander 120 AirTrek PDL Fishing Kayak sounds like your kind of boat, check the current price:
For the latest colors, specs, and warranty details, see the official Camino Journey website for the CAJO Highlander 120 AirTrek PDL. Also check out our reviews of the Native Watercraft Slayer Propel Max 10 Fishing Kayak, Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 Fishing Kayak, Bonafide P127 Pedal Fishing Kayak, Feelfree Moken 10 PDL Fishing Kayak, and Old Town Sportsman BigWater PDL 132 Fishing Kayak.
