Old Town PDL 120 Maiden Voyage-- Hagg Lake

As a husband and father to three children, along with another on the way, hobby time doesn't come easy. About a week and a half ago I picked up my Old Town PDL 120 from Next Adventure. Excited and eager to get it out on the water I outfitted it with accessories as soon as I could, staying up until 4 in the morning making sure I finished my through hull fish finder addition last weekend.

With the finder and other accessories in, I was finally able to get it out on the water yesterday at Hagg Lake. This is my first kayak/watercraft so my main goal was to get out and build comfort and familiarity. With a high level of excitement and anticipation, I was surprised that the feeling of joy and excitement when I finally pushed off the shoreline somehow surpassed my expectations. I was in control of my own watercraft and every nook and cranny of the lake was available to explore. What a feeling!

I decided to bring some fishing poles that I had set up for bank fishing Hagg with Carolina rigs. I didn't anticipate catching anything since I had never trolled before. I didn't even re-rig my poles before I left the shore. So I did the easy thing and cut the small treble hook of the Carolina rigs leaders and threw a Kastmaster on one pole and a Roostertail on the other. To my surprise, 5 minutes into my trolling I had a hit that didn't stick. By the end of my three hour trip I had caught 2 nice trout trolling in the Kayak, one being ~ 18"er, and released a third.

The feeling of freedom on the water, getting familiar with the kayak, playing with the new FF and actually hooking and landing a few fish when I expected none, made for an awesome maiden voyage. The whole unloading/loading process definitely needs to be ironed out, but that's to be expected. I look forward to many more safe trips out, Lord willing.

Awesome. I just received my Predator PDL a couple of weeks ago so I know the feeling. There a fishing guide in Florida that uses only Old Town boats and he’s developed a lot of aftermarket products for these boats. I can share his website if you’re interested. Have fun....

Hell yeah! Great report, what a session. Dug your relating of those first time kayaking feelings, that’s good stuff. Congrats for putting it all together and catching too!

Nice job, keep an eye out for Tillamook bay invites as the weather gets better. Great way to get salt water experience.

M19: Congrats on the new kayak. I follow the Navarre channel and just actually got an order in from him. Seems like good stuff.

Dawn: Appreciate it. It was an AWESOME moment and feeling. I had to complete the "where should I go?" thought process and I was a few peddles in before it really hit me. Like I said earlier, it completely surpassed my very high anticipation. Truly a cool moment.

MJ: I definitely want to get out in Tbay. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled.