Why Did I Choose an Old Town Sportsman PDL 106?

Hey everyone, That Fishing Noob here! Why did I choose to purchase an Old Town PDL 106? Short answer - after lots of research, it was the best bang and investment I could make. Was it pricey? Sure was, but it's not as expensive as some other boats out there. Has it been worth it? Without a doubt, yes. I car top this kayak, so going with a 106 versus a 120 was a big deciding factor for me. Later on down the line, if I buy a trailer, I may upgrade to the 120 and my wife will inherit the 106. Until then, I'm going to fish the heck out of this 106. Let me know if you have any specific questions. Tight lines!
God is good. Ya'll be blessed. Later!
Chapters:
00:00 - 01:35 - How it Began
01:40 - 03:34 - Desire - Stability (Standing Test Included)
03:35 - 04:30 - Reviewed and researched
04:31 - 05:05 - Why the 106 versus 120?
05:07 - 05:20 - Pedaling and Covering Water
05:22 - 06:17 - Transducer Ready
06:18 - 08:39 - Features I like, Water on Deck?, Old Town Warranty
09:41 - 09:47 - Drop Questions Below
10:07 - 10:24 - Outro
::: My gear :::
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• 10’6 Old Town Sportsman 106 PDL
• 7’ Ugly Stik Elite x3
• 3000 Penn Battle II 6.2:1 Spinning Reel w/ 12lb fluorocarbon
• Daiwa BG 3000 w/ 12lb fluorocarbon
• Shimano SLX DC w/ 30lb braid
• GoPro Hero 7
• DJI Mavic Air (sometimes)
---- Affiliate Links (I'd appreciate it if you used these if you wanted some of this gear :)) -----
// Kayak \\
- Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 amzn.to/4aOPh2J
// Reels \\
- Shimano SLX DC: amzn.to/3RhSQYw
- Lew's Tournament Pro: amzn.to/4aSDKPZ
- Daiwa BG 3000: amzn.to/3RhN6he
- Penn Battle III (I have a II): amzn.to/3VwNScF
// Rods \\
- Daiwa Tatula Rod: amzn.to/4aXGWtE
//Fishing Equipment \\
- Nocqua 20ah Battery Kit: amzn.to/3z323xi
- Garmin Electronics Scotty Mount: amzn.to/4b1xw0w
- GoPro Hero 11: amzn.to/3XafmGx
- Kayak Cart: amzn.to/3VyfWMU
- PFD: amzn.to/45evKHP
- 360 Light: amzn.to/3XjO5BD
- Floating Net: amzn.to/4bRS9gC
- Wall Rod Holder: amzn.to/3z31Iuw
- Kayak Flag (American Flag): amzn.to/4aYWjlv
- Fishing Scale: amzn.to/4ccsgI6
::: Editing Software :::
------------------
• Sony Vegas Pro 18
• Lenovo Legion
Song: Middle Child - Miss You
His links:
✞ / middlechildmzk
✞ / middlechildmzk
✞ / middlechildmzk
✞ / middlechildmusica
✞ open.spotify.com/artist/2hp8y...
✞ / @middlechildmusica
#kayakfishing #bassfishing #texas #oldtown #pedalkayak #largemouthbassfishing #bass #Godisgood #sportsman106

[@todde269]

Congratulations on your new Old Town! I went through the exact same process arriving at my Sportsman Bigwater PDL purchase… only in my case, after canoeing for many years… I am RETIRED from car-topping. I built a haul-in/haul-out “sled” for my utility trailer that doubles as an off-season storage bunk. Solid yak… even handles the Great Lakes! Fair winds and following seas!

[@thatfishingnoob]

Many thanks! The kayak is an absolute work horse for sure! Crazy stable, great on the water, the PDL drive beats paddling by a long shot lol, and their customer service is outstanding. It’s been a blast! Tight lines out there.

[@sybillairwin]

I Absolutely LOVE my PDL 106, and wouldn’t trade it for the world. We fish in the bays on the Gulf Coast, and I’ve been in some serious wave in the canals…. But never once have I ever felt like my kayak couldn’t handle the waves. It is slower than the Hobbie’s but the quality and stability are top notch. And the chair! It’s so incredibly comfortable!

[@thatfishingnoob]

The seat is great as well! I forgot to mention that haha. I haven’t taken this to the coast yet but might one day! Thanks for stopping by! Tight lines!

[@Thegreatkayak]

thank you for your research, I ahve been researching for about a month and half, but I always seem to end up with old town

[@thatfishingnoob]

No prob! It took me a long while to finally pull trigger on my PDL, but I haven’t looked back one bit, and Old Town customer service is what they’ve said, absolutely solid.

[@HaroldL.SkipYost-xq1cc]

Hey Noob- great run down of the Sportsman PDL. Your video was the icing on the cake and pushed me to go buy one. I really wanted the Hobie Outback and was ready to buy until I started seeing lots of guys use the Sportsman PDL. Appreciate you and tight lines!!!!!!!

[@thatfishingnoob]

No prob, glad I could help! OT needs to send me some merch or something 😂. Enjoy your Sportsman PDL when it comes in!! You’re going to love it.

[@jasonrobbins7269]

A lot of pro staffers and influencers use old town because when Hobie got new ownership they did away with pro staff over night the Hobie haters bloomed not because it’s a bad product but because those with the voice switched teams. That’s it

[@wildbillsadventuresoutdoor9276]

I bought myself Old Town Sportsman 106 Pdl last year, and I love it!!! That lake is so cool 😎 When you go under the bridge was awesome view!! I have other kayaks paddling, but I finally break down and bought this kayak, and really enjoyed it. I love to cast out fishing and still pdl down the lake

[@thatfishingnoob]

It’s such a fantastic boat. I’ve been nothing but impressed with it so far and I’ve enjoyed taking it out. And it doesn’t weigh too much, so car topping it isn’t that bad.

[@reelfeelfishing]

Great research you did to find the right fit for you. I will agree 110% it's all about stability. I went with a Jackson Liska for that exact reason. It's a non pedal drive so I still have to paddle but the open deck that's 35in wide gives me all this standing room with great stability. I'm 6'2 so it feels good to stretch the legs. I'll admit a lot of the time I wish I got a pedal drive but at the same time I really enjoy all the room I got. And it has awesome features to mount the transducer and a power pole micro anchor in back. And the price point was great at the time too lol. But hey the yak you got looks great man! That thing will last forever. Well built for sure 👊

[@thatfishingnoob]

Dude your yak sounds like a workhorse too! I’m sure it can be rigged with a small trolling motor too if you wanted. I’ve seen some folk convert the mounting spot for a power pole to hold a small motor. Daaaaang man that thing is WIDE! When it warms up you’ve gotta take it out more! If you slay the bass how you do from the bank, I’m sure it’ll be a show from the yak.

[@OutdoorTherapyYT]

Great video. Just ordered mine as well.

[@thatfishingnoob]

You’re going to absolutely love it. And it’s not bad to move around after 7 hours of hard fishing.

[@patriotpindaplacetobe4271]

I just bought 2 predators 🙌🏽🙌🏽. Awesome !!!!

[@thatfishingnoob]

Awwww snaps!!!! Fun fishing adventures planned ahead of you!

[@TravisDoesKayakFishing]

Yeah these are pretty much the best reasons. The only drawback is the speed for me. When an event kicks off, those Hobie guys cut some water and fast. Not that I think the Old Town is slow, it's just a different gear. Dead on with the stability and weight. Those were major factors to me. I was a top loader then so the 106 weighing 20+ less was a big deal and the stability is nuts. You should really climb all over it one day in the summer. Really test it until you fall out. You will gain a whole new understanding of what you can do on it.

[@thatfishingnoob]

I’ll do that and will climb all around it haha. It sounds daunting right now, but I agree with knowing exactly what the boat is capable of. You’re right - from what I’ve seen and read, the fin drive gets the other yaks moving quick and with less effort. I’ve heard some unfortunate stories with the mirage drive though (issues and customer service), so it definitely steered me away from that. Thanks for stopping by and commenting! Tight lines! Btw, nice name lol. My name is Travis as well haha.

[@letun3481]

Perhaps Hobie can go faster but let's see who can go longer...

[@chip6954]

Thx for the review, been eyeballing this guy for two years and need to just pull the trigger. Been debating on this or the 120, but I figured there will always be a practical use for the 106, it actually fits flat in my full size van, and if down the road I feel I need a 120+, I'll get one...and a trailer😄

[@thatfishingnoob]

That’s my mentality as well - if I decide to get a bigger yak down the line, I’ll upgrade to the 120 and will get a trailer (maybe lol). So far, I’ve had zero complaints with the 106 and feel like I have plenty of storage space still. Pull the trigger! It’s a beast of a kayak for sure!

[@southwestindianaoutdooradv4714]

Nice kayak for sure! Greg is the reason I decided to fish tournaments! I’m planning to add a pedal drive kayak over the next few months.

[@thatfishingnoob]

I’ve got some pages bookmarked that host some local tournaments, so 2024 looks like the year I’ll be fishing my first tournaments!!!

[@southwestindianaoutdooradv4714]

@@thatfishingnoob awesome! Excited to see what you think of them!

[@flimmaytinstone8980]

I bought the mk 106 last fall. Love it. With a 100 amp Lifepo battery it will run for at least 10 hrs of fishing. I got an incredible deal on it. Buying a 106 pdl just to have the convenience of pedal drive and a little exercise. You made a good choice.

[@thatfishingnoob]

Not going to lie - I saw some MK/AP at my last tournament and it looked really tempting lol. Especially when the wind picked up. The most water I’ve covered so far has been about 6.5 miles, and it felt pretty comfortable. Thanks for stopping by and saying hey - tight lines out there!

[@metal_1520]

Jist put electronics on my PDL 120. If you get a Humminbird system, there should be a bracket mount that it hooks into, and use the scupper hole right in the middle behind the pedal drive to mount it under the hull.

[@thatfishingnoob]

I’ve seen one from Navarre Kayak Fishing which I believe is essentially the same thing. It’s clean and majorly tucked away, and it doesn’t interfere with side scan, which is awesome. Thanks for swinging by! Get out there and enjoy that 120; they’re fantastic kayaks.

[@terryparis8159]

good video...great choice, i looked for awhile researching....i chose the 120 only cause im a bigger guy and wanted the extra 50 lb. load .i also cartop my kayak... the 120 empty weight is 86 lbs. when i get to where im going ..i load my gear ....i drive a jeep compass and i am 65,......i use a Rhino Rack T loader......to load and unload.......i sure dont regret getting an Old Town.....enjoy all...thx

[@thatfishingnoob]

Congrats on your 120! You’re going to absolutely love it. I’ve seen the Rhino Rack T loader - I may invest in that or something similar down the line if how I’m loading now becomes too cumbersome. If I ever make it big, I’ll probably upgrade to a 120 just to have extra storage (that I don’t utilize now, but if I fished for a living I’d splurge out on more stuff haha). Thanks for swinging by and saying hi! Also, thank you for your support. I greatly appreciate it!

[@Fishing_with_Domingo]

Thanks for sharing!! Keep up the grind and everything will fall into place with your channel!! You have awesome footage!! Thanks for sharing!!!💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@thatfishingnoob]

Thank you for your encouragement. I’ve heard time and time again that consistency is key. I’m hoping that my channel will continue to grow over time! Tight lines!

[@Fishing_with_Domingo]

@@thatfishingnoob I am a firm believer on that! When I first started out I was so stress out because my channel wasn't growing as fast as I wanted it to. It is a slow process but before you know it your channel will start taking off! I'm a perfect example of that! Just hang in there and keep posting your fishing trips! It's easier said than done but it will work out for ya! Tight lines🎣🎣🎣👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@mattgarber2238]

Thinking about getting one tomorrow

[@thatfishingnoob]

You won’t look back and will absolutely love it! I’ve loved fishing out of mine every time since. It’s opened up a ton of opportunities to fish different things and cover a ton of water. Also! If you thought about ordering it from Amazon through Old Town, I have an affiliate link that would be super cool if you used. If not, EcoFishingShop is where I ordered mine and they’re by far the best folk to order through I think.

[@letun3481]

Great choice! We both came to the same conclusion 😂

[@thatfishingnoob]

You know what they say - great minds think alike!!! Tight lines out there! Hope you catch a big one!

[@SAdams76]

Love my 120 pdl. Got it last year, getting a 106 pdl for the wife so she doesnt have to paddle my 3 waters barge.

[@thatfishingnoob]

That’s going to be my route if my wife ends up wanting to fish more often. It’s an absolutely fantastic boat. I took on some mad swells from boats yesterday and the kayak was rock solid, even taking in and draining water. I might need a trailer lol.

[@WholeOtherLevelOutdoors]

I love this yak. Considering one for myself. My dad, sister, and brother In law all have them. Not the peddle ones though. But I love them. Super stable. They don’t seem to track as well as my crescent LT but they are better in creeks. My LT can handle giant waves tho. I mean 4-5’ lake waves. Been there 😆

[@thatfishingnoob]

Man oh man, the Sportman lineup is legit all around. They’re mad stable, like you said. Maybe a PDL 120 will be your intro into the Old Town lineup??? The Crescent LT is a good looking kayak for sure though. And tracking, especially without a rudder, helps a ton so that’s a huge plus.

[@WholeOtherLevelOutdoors]

@@thatfishingnoob I think theirs are the 120 :-) I packed my LT full capacity for a 27 mile overnight run down the Buffalo national river. It did awesome with the weight

[@thatfishingnoob]

@@WholeOtherLevelOutdoors it doesn't get much better than that! That's one thing that's on my list as well - packing up a tent and doin some camping off a bank after kayaking to a location. We'll be bringing the mini grill too for some catch and cook! I listened to ya'll and have some rain gear in my front hatch now lol. As well as a change of clothes and some minor things like paracord. Thanks for looking out!

[@WholeOtherLevelOutdoors]

@@thatfishingnoob heck yea brother. Make sure you have all that in a dry bag:/)

[@thatfishingnoob]

@@WholeOtherLevelOutdoors yessir!!! A little 10L Ascend dry bag.

[@richardsousa2625]

I’m debating these two sizes of sportsman right now. I have a 12 foot kayak that for me personally is just too big. So I think the 10 is for me.

[@thatfishingnoob]

I don’t normally haul a TON of stuff, so I wouldn’t use the extra space from the 120. Also, I car top it, so the 120 would be pretty tiring. The 106 is more maneuverable and lighter. You can’t go wrong with it!

[@DrinkWetPoopFishing]

Nice boat brother!!. GB also influenced my decision to get a pedal yak. What graph are you thinking of getting? My striker 4 is having issues so it's my next fishing purchase.

[@thatfishingnoob]

I was looking heavily into the striker 4 and vivid 4 plus but… something else is caught my eye. I’ll do a big reveal later lol

[@rustysurginer6052]

Nice video man. I’m very curios into stepping into the kayak gang, more specifically the pedal drive. I’ve done my research like you but still I’m weary on spending so much. How well does it perform in some wind? How often do you stand up and fish out of it or do you sit most of the time?

[@thatfishingnoob]

Great questions, and thank you! The kayak is super stable and I’ve had it out in some super sketchy conditions (check my TXKBL Limestone video for a snippet. Rear camera would have captured the waves better). I stand and fish as often as I can, whenever I’m not trying to target one spot and it’s not too windy (just because I get blown around faster than I’d like to fish a spot). Setting the hook while standing is great too. I’ve never felt tippy in my kayak this far. It’s been an outstanding platform to fish in. I wouldn’t recommend it for a lot of movie water though. It doesn’t really slice through water, so it’s manageable if it’s deep enough for the drive to be down but trying to paddle in current is a bit difficult. The Sportsman shines when it comes to being a rock steady platform to fish out of. Old Town customer service is also outstanding.

[@louwoods5449]

I really want one, but since I’m 5’8 I think I would have to sit way up front to reach the pedals.

[@thatfishingnoob]

Idk, that might be true. I'm 5'10 and my seat is four settings back. I could do five, but four seems to be the sweet spot. I think some other folk were okay with reaching the pedals though in position one or two that were shorter than you. If you're able, see if your local dealership will let you sit in one.

[@michaelsnively3621]

I think you'd be fine, but if you want to stand up and fish, you may have to slide seat back to give yourself room.

[@fishingwithyue3011]

Hello, I've been recently thinking of upgrading to a pedal kayak for tournaments and the weight is also a issue for me because I also drive a jeep jk how is it lifting after a 10 hour day? Do you plan on making a video of that?

[@thatfishingnoob]

I sure can. I haven’t had any issues lifting it onto the roof rack after a tournament day. The most annoying part is unloading all the gear, but I can have the whole kayak stripped, loaded, and strapped down in about 25 mins (4 rods, electronics, battery, crate, paddle, tackle, cart, drive, seat, and pole for 360 light/rear camera). This past tournament I ended up packing everything up and launching at another ramp because the wind got ridiculous where I was. It didn’t take long at all, and it’s not taxing on me. I have a tournament this Sat and will record it then.

[@fishingwithyue3011]

@thatfishingnoob that would be great thank you, my tournament season doesn't start till June. I run a jackson coosa yakattack edition which I hulk over my head onto the jeep. But after seeing the speed of some of the guys I really want a pedal drive with an option of motor but still need to be able to lift it onto the jeep myself. Started tournament fishing 4 years ago and love it

[@fishinfrenzyoutdoors]

May I ask how tall are you? Also, did you look at the Native Slayer Max 10? 👍

[@thatfishingnoob]

I am 5’10 and sit 4 clicks back on my seat. Yes, that’s actually the first kayak I looked at thanks to Greg Blanchard lol. He’s the whole reason I even thought about getting a pedal kayak and fishing tournaments. I ultimately went with Old Town based on reviews and customer feedback. I was looking at the Slayer Max 12.5 and 10.

[@lawrenceconstantine7735]

I have the 106 Minkota and love it yes the boys with the Hobbies or Natives move through the water faster because they have an 85lbs thrust motor, not a 45lbs motor. The weekend warrior doesn't need it.

[@thatfishingnoob]

Whew! I’m going to cover some serious water next week, so I’ll see how well I can hold up with just manpower haha. The most water I’ve covered thus far has been four miles all together.

[@Farmhouselivingroom]

Is it hard to get in and out?

[@thatfishingnoob]

Yes. I’m able to step into it and kick off when I’m getting in. My other kayak was more difficult lol. The other one, I had to basically squat and sit in it first, then swing my legs in.

[@andybales7318]

Old Town makes the best kayaks..period...Hobie hulls are garbage, and Old Town hulls are bulletproof

[@thatfishingnoob]

I’m glad to hear that - I’ve heard it from others too so I’m hoping for a lifetime of use! And even if not, lifetime hull warranty is amazing too. Thanks for swinging by!