Pedal Kayaks · Fishing
The Recon 120 HD is Wilderness Systems’ tri-power fishing machine. You can paddle it, pedal it with the Helix PD drive, or bolt a motor to the stern.
The Recon 120 HD is Wilderness Systems’ tri-power fishing machine. You can paddle it, pedal it with the Helix PD drive, or bolt a motor to the stern. Add the 360-degree swivel AirPro ACES seat and a 38-inch-wide S.M.A.R.T. hull, and you get one of the most versatile fishing kayaks on the water.
If you want to skip the reading and see what it costs right now, check the current price here.
Who the Recon 120 HD is for
This kayak is for the angler who wants options. Maybe you paddle quiet creeks today and want to add a motor for big reservoirs next year. The Recon’s stern mounting interface, internal steering lines, and pedal-ready design grow with you. Tournament anglers love the deck space and the swivel seat for working all around the boat.
It is not for minimalists. At over 115 pounds with the drive, this is a heavy, wide, feature-packed boat. If you want light and simple, look at a smaller paddle kayak instead.
The Helix PD pedal drive
The Helix PD drive gives you instant forward and reverse with a 6:1 gear ratio that pedals smooth all day. In shallow water, kick a pedal and the lower unit pops up through the hull, one of the fastest shallow-water clears in the business. Push it back down and it clicks into place. The drive drops into a base in the center console, so installation is quick and you can pull it out for transport or shallow-water paddling.
The AirPro ACES seat
The AirPro ACES seat is a highlight. It swivels a full 360 degrees, so you can turn to land a fish behind you or swing around to work the tankwell. A one-handed lever adjusts the seat trim on the fly, and the breathable mesh keeps you cool on hot days. Sliding on a track like a car seat, it is one of the easiest seats to dial in for leg length and paddling position.
Stability, storage, and rigging
The 38-inch S.M.A.R.T. hull is built for stand-up fishing, and the wide open deck gives you real room to move. Dual rod troughs hold up to three 7-foot-6 rods on each side, lying flat and quiet under bungee, protected from wind and breakage. The StowPro storage system adds an extra-large gasketed hatch with an organized bin, plus under-seat storage, midship tackle recesses, and a notched stern tankwell sized for a crate. Silent traction pads run through the footwell, and a rear-mounted transducer area protects your fish finder.
For electronics, we recommend the new Accuphy Ping Live Mini live sonar system. It retails for $699. See it here.
Paddle and motor options
Here is the fun part: the Recon is tri-power optimized. Paddle it for the skinny stuff. Drop in the Helix PD drive for hands-free fishing. Or pull the rudder, bolt on Wilderness’ motor plate, and run a transom-mount trolling motor or electric outboard with room in the stern for a battery. For the battery, I recommend the WattCycle 12V 100Ah mini LiFePO4 battery with Bluetooth — it runs most 12V trolling motors up to 55lb thrust plus a fish finder, and it’s compact and light. Few kayaks cover this much range without compromise.
For a GPS trolling motor, we recommend the AutoBoat Smart Head Kit and the new AutoBoat Meridian. Check them out here.
Honest drawbacks
This boat is heavy. The HD weighs in around 115 to 122 pounds depending on configuration, so you need a trailer, a truck bed, or a good cart. The 38-inch width makes it stable but slow, and covering long distances under pedal power takes effort. The pedal drive and its scupper take up prime center-deck space when installed. And all this versatility costs real money, putting it in the premium tier.
To haul your kayak, we recommend Malone kayak trailers. See them here.
Wilderness Systems Recon 120 HD specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 12 ft 2 in |
| Width | 38 in |
| Weight | 115 lb (without drive) |
| Total capacity | 450 lb |
| Drive type | Helix PD pedal drive, paddle, or motor |
| Style | Sit-on-top |
| Seat | AirPro ACES, 360 swivel |
| Rod storage | Dual troughs, 6 rods up to 7 ft 6 in |
| Material | Polyethylene |
Frequently asked questions
Wilderness Systems Recon 120 Fishing Kayak with AirPro ACES Seat FAQ
Can you mount a motor on the Recon 120 HD?
Yes. It has a direct-to-boat stern mounting interface with internal steering lines for an aftermarket trolling motor or electric outboard.
Does the pedal drive handle shallow water?
Yes. Kick a pedal and the lower unit retracts through the hull for one of the fastest shallow-water clears available.
How does the swivel seat work?
The AirPro ACES seat rotates 360 degrees and slides on a track with a one-handed trim lever, so you can face any direction or slide it for paddling position.
Is it stable enough to stand?
Yes. The 38-inch S.M.A.R.T. hull and wide open deck are designed for confident stand-up casting, with silent traction pads underfoot.
Where to Buy
If the Wilderness Systems Recon 120 Fishing Kayak with AirPro ACES Seat sounds like your kind of boat, check the current price:
For the latest colors, specs, and warranty details, see the official Wilderness Systems website for the Wilderness Systems Recon 120.
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. Also check out our reviews of the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Kayak.
