The Best Fishing Kayak Just Got Even Better: Old Town’s Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ Pedal Electric Kayak

From hands-free casting to unmatched range, see how this fishing kayak with pedals lets you explore fishing waters like never before

This ePDL kayak open up a whole new world of fishing opportunities. / old town watercraft

Table of Contents

1. Fishing Kayak With Pedals
2. The ePDL Kayak
3. Kayak Bass Fishing
4. The Old Town BigWater Sportsman ePDL Fishing Kayak
5. Specs and Features
6. Who Is This ePDL Kayak For?

Transparency Note: Although I have not been paid by any of the manufacturers, some of the gear reviewed in this article was provided to me at no cost for evaluation. The views and assessments presented are entirely my own.

Fishing Kayak With Pedals

When I first started kayak bass fishing, pedal drive kayaks instantly won me over. Hands-free control—the ability to cast and maneuver without trying to juggle a paddle was the way to go. But now, kayak fishing has made another huge jump forward with the Old Town Sportsman Big Water ePDL+ 132, which combines pedal power with an electric boost for unmatched speed, range and control on the water.

CHECK OUT A FULL TOUR OF THIS ePDL KAYAK IN THE VIDEO BELOW:

The ePDL Kayak

This model includes a game-changing ePDL+ system—essentially like adding an e-bike motor to your kayak. It offers five speed settings for both power assist and full cruise control, powered by a compact 36V, 20Ah lithium battery. At top speed around four to five miles per hour, the battery will keep you moving for up to three hours, while mid-range settings extend that to 23 hours, and level one will go over 40 hours without recharging!

The Old Town Sportsman Big Water ePDL+ 132 is loaded with features. / Old Town Watercraft

Kayak Bass Fishing

And for as much as I miss tournament bass fishing, bass boat ownership hasn’t been a realistic option recently, primarily for financial reasons. Over the past decade, it has become increasingly difficult to find an affordable bass boat. I feel like I’m probably not the only bass angler in that position. While this ePDL+ kayak is pretty top-of-the-line for Old Town, and definitely not cheap for a kayak, $6000 is a lot easier to swallow than $100,000 needed for most new, fiberglass, bass boats.

This Old Town fishing kayak is a realistic and affordable option for bass tournament guys on a budget. / Kurt Mazurek

The Old Town BigWater Sportsman ePDL Fishing Kayak

Another reason I was so excited to try this fishing kayak with pedals plus electric assist was its overall size. As anyone who knows me would say, I’m a well above average-sized human—a 6’5”, 290 kind of guy. But this Old Town BigWater Sportsman, with a length of 13’2” and width of 36”, is right on that edge of being as big as it can be, while still not impossible to move around fairly easily by myself. This kayak handles my big frame just fine with amazing stability. Plus, the boat is loaded with thoughtful features like non-slip EVA deck padding for stand-up fishing, and dry storage in both the bow hatch and the drive console—an absolute must for organizing my excessive amounts of fishing gear.

A fishing kayak with pedals gets even better when you add ePDL electric pedal assist. / Old Town Watercraft

Specs and Features

• Patented ePDL+ power assisted pedal drive with 5 speed settings and cruise control
• Includes a compact, powerful 36V 20Ah Li-Ion battery and charger
• Control buttons and polarized sunglasses-friendly screen integrated directly into ePDL+ Drive
• Redesigned stern tankwell optimized for a variety of crates and coolers
• Two Accessory tracks and two drillable mounting plates allow easy mounting of accessories
• Non-slip EVA foam deck pads provide traction and stand-up comfort
• Transducer mount allows you to easily install your fish finder
• Dry storage for additional gear in the sealed bow hatch and additional dry storage in the drive console
• ePDL+ Drive and Seat are removable for easy transport and storage

Who Is This ePDL Kayak For?

For the angler who’s all about accessing locations many boat anglers cannot, the Old Town ePDL kayak opens up so many possibilities. It is absolutely capable of navigating bigger waters, especially with the ePDL+ electric assist. In the rare instance that you’ve used up your battery in a single day, you’ve always got your pedal drive to rely on to get you home. And, this new kayak gives anglers like me an affordable option to get back into tournament bass fishing.