Pedal-drive kayaks continue to be game‑changers in the kayak fishing world: hands-free propulsion means more time for rods, electronics, and reading water. The Sportsman PDL 120 was already an angler favorite, but Old Town’s new “Pro” variant offers an overhauled interior that increases customization potential and maximizes space. The upgraded deck layout offers more mounting options for electronics, motor‑ready features, and better storage.
I’ve tested the Sportsman PDL 120 Pro extensively over the past two months, racking up the miles on a variety of lakes and ponds chasing bass, panfish, and more with conventional and fly gear. In that time, I’ve come to appreciate the efficiency of the pedal drive, the stability of the hull, and comfort of the ergonomic seat that makes long trips easy. Though I have yet to equip it with electronics or a trolling motor, I appreciate the blank slate and easy-rigging potential of the hull. Here’s what worked so far.
Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL Pro Specs
- Length: 12 feet
- Beam: 36 inches
- Weight (hull only): 106 pounds
- Rigged Weight (including drive and seat): ~131 pounds
- Usable Load Capacity: 420 pounds
- Warranty: Lifetime hull warranty, 5-year on PDL drive
Fishing-Ready Features
- Accessory tracks (~150 inches) on both sides make it easy to mount rod holders, fishfinders, or camera rigs.
- The universal transducer mount under the hull fits most sonar systems.
- Three flush-mount and four lay-down rod holders are standard.
- The hull is equipped with a 4‑bolt insert in the bow and wire port for trolling motor integration, two stern shallow-water anchor rigging provisions, and wire ports for fishfinders and other electronics throughout.
- A generous tank well in the rear fits a crate or cooler, and the front hatch offers dry storage.
- The seat is adjustable fore and aft on a sliding track and is all-day comfortable.
- A paddle clip keeps back-up propulsion at the ready.
On‑Water Performance & Handling
The Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 Pro has quickly become a favorite. There’s a pond a few miles from my house. You can find me on it, in the PDL Pro, most mornings. The boat is largely a blank slate at the moment, but I’m looking forward to adding a trolling motor, some graphs, and a few more accessories in the future. Here’s my feelings on the vessel as-delivered.
PDL Pedal Drive
Growing up in the Northeast, I spent plenty of time fishing out kayaks, canoes, and other small craft. But even given all that time on the water, I was a late convert to the world of pedal kayaks. I’m sorry it took so long, as their hands-free nature provides excellent boat handling abilities while allowing you to focus on fishing. I was able to hold position around cover while firing casts exactly where I wanted them to go. This is most noticeable when fly fishing; letting me maintain a tight line to effectively work a popper — something that is very difficult in a paddle craft with even the slightest breeze.
The PDL drive system is intuitive; operating with instant forward and reverse for rapid positioning. The unit is fully sealed so it’s saltwater-safe, and removes easily for storage thanks to a built-in carry handle — I stash mine in the truck bed when transporting the ‘yak. There’s a shear pin, like on your old two-stroke outboard, to protect the propeller from damage, though I haven’t had it pop yet. A 5-year manufacturer warranty covers the unit should something go wrong.
Pedaling also seems to be much more efficient than paddling. I’ve been out on some windy days that would have been really taxing if I had to paddle, but using my legs made it much easier. Speaking of wind, the oversized rudder keeps you on course even in a crossbreeze. The knob-style rudder control makes turning pretty easy, even when the wind hits the broad profile. All in all, I’d say it turns pretty good for a heavy, 12-foot fishing kayak.
Though it’s more efficient, don’t expect warp speeds out of the 120 Pro. It’s a big, comfortable hull, which cuts down on its top speed. Still, you can count on a cruising speed somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 mph, and I’d bet I’ve gotten it up to about 5 with a good effort.
If there’s a downside to pedal kayaks, it comes when you encounter the thick stuff. On hot summer mornings working weedbeds on pickerel patrol, I found myself lifting the drive up to clean the prop somewhat regularly. This is to be expected, and clearing the drive is simple, but know that is part of the routine if you go deep in the salad.
Sitting
I’ve got a bunch of metal in my spine these days, so I’m forced to prioritize comfort more than I did in my youth. The Pro offers some upgrades involving the seating and cockpit layout over the previous model that make long days on the water more comfortable. The Pro raises the rear of the seat slightly (and adjusts contact points) to put you in a more natural position, especially when pedaling or transitioning to standing.
The seat now slides on a shuttle track, making fore/aft adjustments easier, even on the water. But those with shorter legs should probably try one to see how it fits before they buy one. Despite being nearly 6 feet tall, my inseam is only 29 inches. I can easily reach the pedals with the seat adjusted all the way forward, but I think that anglers with legs shorter than that might have an issue.
Old Town made the most of the cockpit space by thinning the gunnels, freeing up more interior width without altering the outer dimensions. That allows for rods to lay down easily alongside your legs, letting you store up to four rods out of the way while on the water.
Standing
One of the most talked-about features of the Sportsman PDL series is the Double-U Hull, a unique hull shape that prioritizes lateral stability without making the kayak feel like a barge. With a 36‑inch beam and the modified hull form, the Pro variant retains the strong primary stability of the Sportsman line. Standing is comfortable; I felt confident when pitching, changing lures, or fighting fish. Even casting wind-resistant poppers on fly gear didn’t sem to upset the balance. The hull handles chop well for its class.
Storage, Rigging & Electronics Integration
This is where the “Pro” really shines, and what will make it a hit with bass anglers. Old Town added a substantial aluminum accessory track; upward of 150 inches total across gunnels, bow, and stern, for mounting everything from rod holders to camera arms. That is class-leading for a 12‑foot craft, and provides more than enough space for as many graphs as you’d like.
Pre-installed wiring conduits and through‑hull wiring ports are a major plus for electronics setups, making installing fishfinders and routing power cables easy. Plus, the boat is built “motor ready,” with a 4-bolt universal pattern mount included on the bow, so retrofitting a bow-mounted trolling motor such as the Minn Kota Kayak Terrova is much simpler than drilling new holes.
The bow hatch was expanded about 50 percent over earlier 120 models, improving access to wires and gear and making routing wires easier. There’s also a hatch below the seat, and a smaller one on the PDL drive, giving you plenty of options. The stern tankwell is about 55 percent bigger than the previous model, giving more open space for crates, cooler, or battery packs. If you want to rig up electronics, cameras, rod holders, lights, or even motors, this layout gives you the flexibility to do so with ease.
Build Quality
Old Town has a long-standing reputation for quality, and the Sportsman PDL Pro lives up to it. The rotomolded hull is thick and tough, able to withstand gravel, stumps, and dock rash without issue. The drive itself is built like a tank but is surprisingly lightweight, with breakaway pins to protect the prop if you hit something hard.
But the beefy kayak construction comes at a cost — that’s the weight. At over 100 pounds rigged, this is not a kayak you’ll want to throw on a roof rack solo. I used a bed extender to get it into my Tacoma’s 5-foot bed, and that worked well. But I recently grabbed an old jet ski trailer to carry the Pro; this will let me add a trolling motor, batteries and a host of electronics and still make launching and retrieving a breeze.
Cost is another consideration. At about $3,500 the PDL Pro is priced like the premium kayak it is. But if it proves to be anything like the nearly 40-year Old Town square stern canoe I use regularly, it will prove to be a “buy once, cry once” investment built to last. Plus, all the customization options give it room to grow.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a performance-oriented fishing kayak that also acts as a flexible platform for all your electronics needs, the Sportsman PDL 120 Pro is among the top picks for serious anglers. In its base form, it offers stand-up stability, a simple and powerful pedal drive, and a layout that’s built for fishing. If you rig heavily with electronics, cameras, or multiple rods or plan to build up over time, the Pro model’s upgrades will feel like long-overdue improvements.
