I’ve been kayak fishing out of a Old Town Predator PDL Kayak for roughly a year. I considered writing a review a few months ago, but I wanted to make absolutely certain that I put it in every situation imaginable before sharing my opinions. Fast-forward to now and my verdict is in: This is one tough and easy to use kayak.
At no point in the past year have I babied my Predator PDL. I have run it aground, I have slid it in and out of my messy truck bed and into remote ponds and rivers littered with jagged rock and vegetation and I have stored it outdoors for the entire time I’ve owned it. I wanted to know for certain that this kayak could handle whatever a diehard angler threw at it.
I’m going to explain what I’ve learned about this kayak. If you’re considering getting into kayak fishing or even upgrading your rig, I’ll include plenty of information to help you make an informed decision.
Go places you couldn’t otherwise access
This has been one of the biggest benefits of owning the Old Town Predator PDL. One of the most exciting aspects of fishing for me has always been finding those hidden honey holes nobody else knows about; this kayak has certainly allowed me to do that.
I have an aluminum boat I’ve always used to get into these hard-to-reach fisheries, but I have not used it one time since getting this kayak. I don’t have to worry about charging batteries, hooking up a trailer, backing a trailer without a boat ramps, or messing up an expensive hull in a stump-filled oxbow pond. I can quickly slide the Predator PDL in the bed of my truck and I’m ready to fish.
This kayak has definitely seen more dirt roads than paved ones. That’s the way I like it.
Easy to haul
It’s important to understand that this is a big kayak. To be totally honest, I underestimated its size and was a little shocked when I first saw it in person. Measuring at 13 feet, 2 inches, you have to take into consideration how you plan on hauling it.
You could certainly go the route of getting a trailer for your Predator PDL, but I chose to simplify things and buy a truck bed extender. Contractors and plumbers use them a lot for hauling long pieces of lumber and pipe, so you can find them at places like Harbor Freight and even Amazon. I think I paid roughly $50 for mine and it’s really sturdy and holds my kayak in place without any issues.
Throw it in and go fish
My wife and I have been remodeling our house this year and I always have left over gravel, rock, crushed pavers and other yard items in the bed of my truck. The Predator PDL’s performance crafted tri-hull can handle it.
I never worry about scratching it while loading or unloading or dragging it down to the water’s edge. I really like the fact that it’s such a workhorse.
Sturdy carrying handles
These carrying handles are located on each side of the kayak and make loading and unloading quite simple. They’re also very sturdy and can be used to carry your kayak longer distances in remote situations.
Unload it in just a few seconds
I’m at my most impatient when I first pull up to a lake or river. I’m ready to get out of the truck and go fishing. Thankfully, I can unload this kayak in about ten seconds. It weighs 117 pounds so a little help is always welcomed, but if you’re in relatively good shape you should be able to unload it by yourself as well.
Easy to get into the water by yourself
Once the Predator PDL is unloaded from my truck and on the ground, it’s easy to push to the shoreline. Both the bow and stern have easy-to-grab areas for pushing and pulling your kayak.
Adjustable seats mean all-day comfort
You can tell by this seat that I’ve put the Predator PDL through its paces. The adjustable options on the seat are still fully functional and provide a very comfortable experience for the angler.
The back rest can be adjusted to however feels best to the individual and quick adjustments can be easily done while on the water. You can also strap the back down tightly for added security when hauling the kayak.
Long legs or short legs, it doesn’t matter
I’m built like a giraffe, so I was a little nervous as to whether or not I’d be too tall to comfortable fish from a kayak. I can certainly say, however, that I have plenty of room in the Predator PDL. The seat is mounted on an adjustable track that can move back and forth, just like the seat in your vehicle. I’m able to comfortably stretch my legs which allows me to fish all day long.
The PDL Drive is legit
Now this is something that’s really cool about this particular kayak. It features the PDL Drive system that allows you to instantly switch from forward to reverse. No switches or anything crazy. With this hands-free operation, you can focus on the fish; not maneuvering your kayak.
The PDL Drive is also easily removable and it takes just a few seconds to put on the kayak. There’s a locking switch on each side that keeps it in place and that’s it. It’s very easy and anyone can do it.
Easy to stow and deploy
Whether you’re just starting your fishing day or ending it, I’ve found that the PDL Drive is super simple to stow and deploy thanks to the spring-loaded mechanism on the underside. It’s also quiet, so if you’re fishing shallow you won’t spook the bass when you first launch the kayak.
Five-year warranty on the PDL Drive
In addition to being intuitive and easy to use, the PDL Drive also has a five-year warranty. I haven’t had any issues with mine whatsoever (it has been totally maintenance free), but it’s nice to know that if something does happen to go wrong, the folks at Old Town will make it right.
Sturdy rudder
I’ve been in a few kayaks where the rudder seems really wobbly and unsteady, which makes it slow to respond to steering adjustments. This rudder, however, seems to be well-made and sturdy. I have hit it on all sorts of things over the past year and it still performs as it did the day I got it.
Quick and simple rudder deployment system
Just pull up this handle and you can deploy and stow your rudder.
The PDL Drive prop is tough
I’ve put this prop through some pretty nasty situations this year and to be honest, I’m shocked it still looks this good. I’ve hit rock, wood and sandy bottoms and it has barely scratched it. The prop remains tightly fastened to the PDL Drive and it still functions like brand new, despite the abuse.
Convenient rod holders
If you’re anything like me, you can’t make yourself take just one rod fishing. When I got into kayak fishing, I was worried that the perceived lack of rod storage would be my biggest obstacle. But this kayak has really exceeded my expectations in that regard.
You can easily have three rods on board without any modifications, although additional mounting options are available. Personally speaking, I generally don’t need any more than three, so I’m happy.
The rod holders also hold your rods at an angle, towards the back of the kayak. This helps get them out of your way when casting and setting the hook. They’re close enough to the seat, however, to allow you to quickly change rods without torquing your back.
