I’ve spent a lot of hours fishing from the Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 PRO, and one thing has always stood out: the deck space and storage on that platform are abundant, even with a pedal drive taking up real estate in the hull. So when Old Town dropped the Sportsman 120 PRO — the paddle-only version of that same platform — I immediately started picturing what that cockpit feels like with the drive well gone entirely. My guess: it’s going to feel a lot like standing on the deck of a flats skiff or bass boat.
Same bones, no drive system, half the price
The 120 PRO joins Old Town’s Sportsman PRO series, which now spans three propulsion options — paddle, pedal, and motor-assisted pedal — all built around the same PRO-level rigging philosophy. That’s the same platform that made the PDL version my go-to boat for fishing local inshore waters for striped bass. What the 120 PRO doesn’t have is the pedal drive — and that’s exactly why it costs $1,999.99 instead of $3,599.99 for the PDL 120 PRO or $5,999.99 for the ePDL+ version.
If you’re a paddler who never really needed the drive system, or you’re looking to add a second boat to the fleet without dropping pedal-drive money, this is the version to test drive.
Rig it your way
The 120 PRO comes with 140 inches of usable aluminum accessory track, so you can mount rod holders, tackle rails, and electronics exactly where you want them instead of working around fixed positions.
“We built this kayak to be the most versatile, customizable platform in the Sportsman lineup, so whether you’re rigging for tournament day or exploring new water, it’s ready for what’s next,” said Joe Lagos, Director of Brand Management at Johnson Outdoors Watercraft.
It’s also motor-ready out of the box. The bow has a universal four-hole insert pattern (Old Town points specifically to compatibility with the Minn Kota Kayak Terrova) and a thru-hull wiring port for adding a bow-mount trolling motor down the line, with battery storage built into the space under the seat and in the tankwell. The stern has its own four-hole mount for a transom motor or shallow water anchor. Old Town’s also releasing a rudder kit and footbrace steering kit in mid-July for anglers who want to pair a bow-mount motor with hands-free steering.
Storage and stability that punches above its price
The bow hatch is large enough to swallow real gear, and the stern tank well is oversized to handle a crate without crowding the cockpit. The cockpit itself is wider than you’d expect for a 12-footer, which matters the second you try to stand up and fight a fish — the DoubleU hull is what makes that stand-up stability possible, and it’s the same feeling I got the first time I stood up in the PDL version without white-knuckling the sides. Without the pedal drive housing eating into that space, I’m expecting an even more open, unobstructed deck, which has me looking forward to testing this one out for fly fishing, where stripping line and clean footing matter as much as anything else in the boat.
A universal transducer mount means it plays nice with Humminbird and most other fish finders without any rigging gymnastics, and built-in cable routing keeps electronics wiring out of your way instead of zip-tied across the deck.
Sportsman 120 PRO: Specs at a glance
- Length: 12 ft | Width: 36 in
- Assembled weight: ~102 lbs
- Usable weight capacity: 438 lbs | Total capacity: 540 lbs
- Accessory track: 140 in usable aluminum
- Seat: Element Seating System, removable, 6 lbs
- Rod holders: 1 forward-facing, 2 rear-facing flush-mounted
- Colors: Storm, Sierra
- MSRP: $1,999.99 — ships starting July 14, 2026, pre-orders open now
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to add a motor to the Sportsman 120 PRO?
No. It paddles straight out of the box, but the bow and stern mounts mean you can add a trolling motor or shallow water anchor whenever you’re ready.
Can I add a rudder to the 120 PRO?
Yes — Old Town’s foot-controlled rudder kit is built for the boat and pairs especially well with a bow-mount trolling motor for hands-free steering. It’s expected mid-July 2026.
How does the 120 PRO compare to the PDL 120 PRO?
Same hull, same rigging capability, same storage — the difference is the pedal drive. The PDL version runs $3,599.99; the paddle-only 120 PRO comes in at $1,999.99.
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