Paddle Kayaks · Fishing
I’ve paddled a lot of fishing kayaks over the years, and the Old Town Sportsman 120 keeps coming up when someone wants a solid paddle-powered boat that doesn’t break the bank. It’s a 12-foot sit-on-top built around one goal: getting you to the fish comfortably without a motor or pedal drive adding c
I’ve paddled a lot of fishing kayaks over the years, and the Old Town Sportsman 120 keeps coming up when someone wants a solid paddle-powered boat that doesn’t break the bank. It’s a 12-foot sit-on-top built around one goal: getting you to the fish comfortably without a motor or pedal drive adding cost and complexity.
If you like the sound of a simple, tough fishing kayak, check the current price here.
The Sportsman 120 is Old Town’s base model in the Sportsman line. No pedal drive, no motor, just a paddle and a well thought out deck. That simplicity is exactly what a lot of weekend anglers want.
Who This Kayak Is For
This boat fits the angler who fishes ponds, lakes, and slow rivers and doesn’t want to spend thousands on a pedal or motorized rig. If you’re happy paddling to your spots and want the money to go into the hull, seat, and storage instead of a drive system, this is your kayak.
It’s also a great pick for someone buying their first real fishing kayak. You can focus on learning to fish instead of learning to maintain a drive unit.
Stability and Handling
The Sportsman 120 uses Old Town’s DoubleU hull design. In plain terms, that means it has two tunnel-like channels running down the hull. On the water, that translates to a very steady platform.
I can stand and cast from this boat without that wobbly feeling you get in a narrow touring kayak. The 33.5-inch width gives you a wide base, and the hull resists tipping when you shift your weight to reach a rod or turn around for the cooler.
Tracking is good for a 12-foot boat. It holds a straight line across a lake without constant correction strokes. In wind, you’ll need to work a bit since there’s no rudder included, though it is rudder compatible.
Seat and Comfort
The Element Seating System is one of the best parts of this kayak. It’s a frame seat with breathable Textilene mesh that keeps you cool on hot days. You can set it in a high or low position depending on how you fish.
High position is great for casting and seeing fish. Low position gives you more stability and better paddling leverage. The lumbar support is solid for long days. I’ve sat in worse seats in kayaks that cost more.
Storage and Rigging
This is where the Sportsman 120 really earns its keep. The cockpit is big and open, so you can actually move your legs and reach your gear without feeling boxed in.
The oversized tank well behind the seat swallows a full crate, a cooler, or a dry bag with room to spare. The sealed bow hatch keeps the stuff you can’t get wet dry. There’s also under-seat storage that holds tackle, and Old Town throws in a custom tackle box.
Two 18-inch accessory tracks on the bow let you mount a fish finder, rod holders, or a camera without drilling holes. Flush mount rod holders are built in, with one facing forward and two facing back. There’s a universal transducer mount for your fish finder and a cup holder because coffee matters.
Paddle Performance
No drive, no motor, just you and a paddle. The good news is this hull moves well for its size. It’s not a speed boat, but it’ll cruise at a comfortable pace all day.
The hull-mounted paddle clip keeps your paddle out of the way when you stop to fish. Foot braces adjust along a rail and snap into place, so you can get a good paddling stroke and brace yourself when the wind picks up.
The trade-off is range. You won’t cover five miles of shoreline as easily as someone with a pedal drive or motor. Plan your trips around that.
Honest Drawbacks
Nothing’s perfect, so here’s the real talk. At 82 pounds for the hull and 85 pounds assembled, this is a heavy boat to car-top by yourself. You’ll want a buddy, a kayak cart, or a good loading system.
It’s paddle only. If you fish big water or windy days a lot, you’ll eventually wish for pedals or a motor. And while the seat is good, the overall outfitting is more basic than the PDL version of this same hull.
Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 12 ft |
| Width | 33.5 in |
| Weight | 82 lbs (hull), 85 lbs (assembled) |
| Capacity | 500 lbs total |
| Drive Type | Paddle |
Old Town Sportsman 120 Fishing Kayak FAQ
Is the Old Town Sportsman 120 stable enough to stand in?
Yes. The DoubleU hull and 33.5-inch width make it a steady standing platform. The deck has non-slip EVA foam pads for grip.
Does it come with a rudder?
No rudder is included, but the hull is rudder compatible if you want to add one later.
Can I mount a fish finder on it?
Yes. It has a universal transducer mount and two 18-inch accessory tracks for the display and other gear.
How heavy is it to transport?
The assembled boat weighs about 85 pounds. Most people will want a kayak cart or a trailer for solo loading.
Featured Image Alt Text
Angler standing and casting from an Old Town Sportsman 120 fishing kayak on a calm lake
Where to Buy
If the Old Town Sportsman 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, Old Town Sportsman BigWater PDL 132 Fishing Kayak, and Old Town Malibu PDL Fishing Kayak.
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