Old Town Malibu ePDL+ 120 Review – Hands-Free Kayak Fishing
Pedal drives changed kayak fishing, and the Old Town Malibu ePDL+ 120 takes it a step further with power-assisted pedaling and cruise control. If you have been eying the pedal kayak market but found the exertion too high for longer trips, this might be your gateway drug.
TLDR
The Malibu ePDL+ 120 adds electric power assist to a pedal kayak, giving you hands-free fishing with adjustable speed control. Cruise control maintains your speed automatically. Not cheap, but game-changing if you want to fish all day without fatigue.
What is ePDL+?
PDL stands for Pedal Driven Leisure – Old Town proprietary system. The ePDL+ adds an electric motor assist that kicks in when you pedal. Instead of pure leg power moving water, the motor amplifies your input. The result: you pedal at a comfortable cadence while the kayak moves faster than you could achieve alone.
The cruise control is the real feature here. Set your desired speed and the motor maintains it automatically. Head into a 10mph wind? Cruise control adjusts power to maintain speed. No constant pedaling adjustments.
On the Water
First thing you notice: how quiet it is. Electric motors are whisper-quiet compared to gas tanks. Puttered around a lake for three hours and could still hear birdsong and wind. Bass did not spook as I approached.
The pedal stroke feels natural – not the grinding exertion of older pedal systems. Even with motor assist, you are still moving the pedals. Some kayak anglers want pure electric Minn Kota-style operation. This is not that. It is pedal-first with electric boost.
Speed control works well. Set it at 4mph and the motor held steady across wind and current changes. Battery lasted about 4 hours at moderate assist – enough for a full morning or afternoon session.
Fishing Features
The ePDL+ sits in a standard fishing kayak hull – no compromise to stability for the motor system. Standing casting was stable in calm conditions. Rod holders in good positions, though I added a forward-facing rod holder for the trolling motor-style approach.
The motorized rear well takes some getting used to. Less storage than a non-motorized kayak. I fit a small crate and tackle bag but left the large cooler at home. For full-day tournament fishing, you will need to plan accordingly.
Real-World Testing
Fished a bass tournament from this kayak. Setup was dialed in – hands-free positioning meant I could focus on electronics and lures rather than paddling. Covered water efficiently by pointing the bow and engaging cruise control.
Wind was blowing 15mph on Lake Okeechobee. Previous kayak had me working hard to hold position. ePDL+ made it manageable. Held spots when the bass showed, moved quickly between areas. Placed in the top half of the field – not winning but respectable for a new setup.
What Could Be Better
- Price is significant – motor assist costs extra
- Battery adds weight – launching and landing requires care
- Less storage than non-motorized fishing kayaks
- Charging takes several hours – bring a second battery for full-day use
Who Should Buy This
- Anglers with physical limitations who want fishing kayak capability
- Those who fish big water where positioning matters
- Tournament anglers who need to cover water efficiently
- Anyone who has tried pure pedal drives and wanted less exertion
Where to Buy
Check current pricing on Amazon:
View on Amazon – Old Town Malibu ePDL+ 120
Bottom Line
The Malibu ePDL+ 120 is not for everyone – the price premium over a standard pedal kayak is real. But if you want hands-free fishing capability with the convenience of electric assist, this delivers. Cruise control alone makes long days on the water less exhausting.
For serious kayak anglers who fish frequently, the investment makes sense. For occasional use, a traditional paddle kayak or basic pedal drive is probably enough.
Affiliate link provided. Tested on Florida lakes.
