Thanks to NASA, we have Tang and Air Jordans. Thanks to kayak fishing tournaments, we have motorized kayaks, advanced fish finder technology and the Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 Pro kayak. Astronauts and tournament anglers push their gear to the limits and the results trickle down to the rest of us. The Sportsman 120 Pro is designed for competitive anglers, but the smart features and versatile design are perfect for any type of fishing.
Pedal Kayak Review: Old Town Sportsman 120 Pro
Fishy Features
Anglers chasing big fish and big checks on the tournament trail demand every advantage from their kayaks. Old Town’s engineers worked with their fishing team to update the Sportsman PDL with features to satisfy pro anglers.
Old Town Sportsman 120 Pro Specs
Length: 12’0”
Width: 36”
Weight: 131 lbs
Capacity: 565 lbs
MSRP: $3,499 USD
oldtownwatercraft.com
The boat features 150 inches of gear tracks to add accessories almost anywhere from bow to stern.
A giant bow hatch has space for tons of gear and tackle. The hatch also provides access to rig the kayak below deck. A smaller round hatch in the stern provides below-deck access to rig the rudder controls or run wires to motors and anchor systems in the back of the boat.
Tournament anglers want to carry every color of every lure. The Sportsman PDL 120 Pro has a massive tankwell accommodating a 16-inch-by-16-inch gear crate with space to spare. The area below the seat fits full-size tackle trays. Molded spaces beside the seat hold tools and tackle I use most.
Tournament anglers also want to carry an arsenal of rods rigged with a variety of lures. The Sportsman 120 PDL Pro has three flush mount rod holders and four horizontal rod holders. Combine that with vertical rod holders on the gear crate and removable rod holders on the gear track and I can easily carry a dozen or more rods.
I will probably never enter a fishing tournament, but the abundance of fishy features gives me the versatility to rig the boat for how I fish.
PDL Drive
The star of the show is Old Town’s tried-and-true PDL drive. The propeller and bicycle pedals offer the advantage of instant reverse. Not only is reverse handy for maneuvering the boat, but it allows me to throw on the brakes when I see fish.
The sealed housing makes the drive saltwater ready. Granted, the PDL is larger and heavier than a flipper-system, but it is also more robust and comes with a five-year warranty.
Old Town didn’t forget that a reliable rudder is just as important as a reliable pedal drive. The rudder hardware is sturdy with stainless steel cables connecting the rudder blade to an intuitive control knob next to the seat. My favorite feature is the large lever I use to easily raise and lower the rudder.
Rigging
The Sportsman PDL 120 Pro offers anglers a variety of rigging options. I can keep the boat simple with the pedal drive and a fish finder. Or, I can go all the way with motors, anchor systems and full electronics.
A universal four-hole mounting insert in the bow and two four-hole mounting inserts in the stern provide space to add motors and anchor systems. Near the motor and anchor mounts, the Sportsman PDL Pro has through-hull wiring ports to run the cables below deck.
To add electronics, install the display on the removable plate in the front of the cockpit or use the gear tracks on either side of the cockpit. To run the power wire, through-hull ports are positioned near the fish finder mount. The transducer cable passes through a scupper in the front of the cockpit to a transducer cavity under the boat.
The extensive gear tracks allow me to install a forward-facing transducer and run the wires through a removable rigging plate next to the seat. A large hatch under the seat routes cables to a battery stored in the tankwell or under the seat. The large bow hatch is designed to store batteries for the trolling motor and electronics. The boat offers multiple options for battery placement to maintain trim and stability.
Performance
In my experience, Old Town kayaks always perform as expected. The Sportsman PDL 120 Pro is more expensive than a budget boat, but the extra money pays for peace of mind.
To start, the boat is built of the highest quality plastic to resist fading, wear and tear. Old Town kayaks are less likely to crack or warp under pressure. I have Old Town kayaks that have survived a decade of abuse and continue to perform without missing a beat.
The rigging is rock-solid and bulletproof. From the seat to the pedal system and rudder, everything works without hesitation. There are no gimmicks, every feature has a well-thought-out purpose.
The Sportsman hull is focused on stability and capacity. The 12-foot-long boat is 36 inches wide with a double U hull to move volume to the outside of the keel and keep the boat solidly planted even in rolling waves.
Under PDL power, the Sportsman Pro moves confidently through the water and blasts through waves and current. The pedal system gives me confidence to take the boat to the edge of my range.
Who is the Sportsman PDL Pro owner?
Even though the Old Town Sportsman PDL Pro is built for pro anglers, the full-feature boat is more than a tournament sled. The PDL pedal system makes the Sportsman Pro a great choice for serious anglers looking for a reliable and convenient way to fish. When it’s time to upgrade, the boat is pre-rigged to run motor and electronic systems. The Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 Pro is the tournament kayak for the rest of us.
The complete package. Old Town re-designed the Sportsman for tournament anglers and weekend warriors. | Feature photo: Patrick Hayes
