Old Town AutoPilot 120 First Impression [Trolling for Kokanee in an Electric Kayak] 

The folks at Old Town do a pretty good job asking for my input but would be fun to design one from the ground up.

That makes me so happy to hear! I love those days when you are so busy because all the rods are bouncing in the kayak. Makes it fun!

Those days are the best! I’ve got my brother and dad obsessed with the sport now. For our first year of fishing for Kokanee 89 fish in the last few trips isn’t too bad. Definitely wouldn’t have been able to do it without your videos. Thanks again. I’ve also been able to share some of the knowledge I’ve gained with other anglers which feels great as well.

Sweet! Congrats!

@@spiltmilt can you link what you're using to attach the remote? Is it stable and wont fall if you flip the yak?

That's great! Utah has some killer fishing opportunities.

It's a valid concern. I can do it but I have to take my time.

How long does the battery last, could you putt around the lake for majority of the day?

I installed a bluetooth battery charge monitor. I estimate I can troll at 1.5 mph for 35-50 hours on a single charge!!!!

@@spiltmilt oh wow right on

How many amp is your battery

100ah

I could go that route but we will see how handy they are for the fall bass fisheries. Def will be great for jigging walleye.

Def a possibility

Congrats! You'll love it.

Small

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Thanks Tyler! I live on the oregon coast and enjoy watching your videos. Just purchased Old Town 120 autopilot. You’ve been a lot of help putting accessories on my boat. Thanks again!

Pull a gill immediately. Toss them in a soft sides cooler with numerous ice bottles. Works great.

I've done up 14 miles and still not depleted the battery at 1.5 mph in light wind no current. I am running a 100 ah lithium battery from Amped Outdoors

@@spiltmilt Thank you for the reply, love your productions. I watched 75% of all them. If your ever interested in fishing Colorado lakes Blue Mesa for Kokanee and Lakers or Lake Granby for Lakers. I’ve got a cabin at Granby so it makes it easy and comfortable. Let me know.

Yes they are already producing it. bit.ly/2XuS9iI

Contact Old Town customer service 1-800-343-1555

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ccwDWXIJqe8.html check this video out

If I could have only one I would go with the PDL 120. Its lighter and no need to worry about battery charge. That being said the range on the AP120 is incredible and if you are physically limited then its an amazing boat with great features.

@@spiltmilt that's what I'm thinking also. You have a lot of money tied up in lithium batteries also with the AP.

Each boat has its own unique propulsion

There is no mounted trolling motor that will swap directly into the pedal hole on the Old Town Kayaks. That said, you can always add a transom motor, or there are adapters for side mounting. Check out some of the customer videos and photos at Newport Vessels. newportvessels.com/collections/trolling-motors/products/kayak-series-kayak-trolling-motor I haven't decided to get a trolling motor yet, but if I did I'd probably go with this company. Right now I'm having too much fun pedaling my Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL kayak.

Absolutely. Its proven extremely reliable. I have the GPS/DI model for helping to target walleye and bass. You really don't need Down Imaging if you are just trolling for salmon/trout/kokanee

@@spiltmilt Thanks Tyler! I'm hoping to get an Autopilot later this year. Just don't seem able to peddle as long as I'd like to anymore, especially in current.

Yes. It is quite a bit heavier.

Need to get it registered with the state first. Painfully difficult due to covid.

Why do you have to register an electric driven kayak?

For use in any federal navigable waters a powered vessel must be registered.

Yes

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5IiYqjkdSA4.html

4.1 mph BUT I ordered a new prop that supposedly is going to improve that. We will see.

Thanks. We are safe for now. You will need to register if you plan on using on federal navigable waters (Columbia, Puget Sound, etc..)

Spilt Milt Productions ok so lakes and ponds. But not the main Columbia River. Does Willapa bay also fall into that?

Its designed to be mounted in the bow.

I'm very curious about the Salty as well. I do think based on initial impressions that it would be ideal for the lower Columbia

@@spiltmilt For sure. Its the best pedal option. I have TW 106PDL and it is a great boat but that current, wind and boat traffic is asking a lot of a 10'. Now you had to show me this Autopilot and Im pretty sure I need one. LOL

No

@@spiltmilt well that sucks ! So how far down does the prop go ?

I did 2 hours of trolling and it took the battery down 4%. I estimate I will get 35-50 hours of normal usage out of it.

@@spiltmilt it will be interesting to see what the wind/weather does. I run 2 group 27 deep cycle batteries on our boat. Between the fish finder and trolling motor, we get 10 hours

This is a lithium battery. 100 ah.

There is no way that RAM tough claw is going to slip off.

Spilt Milt Productions Its not the slipping off I’d be worried about, its any kind of accident. You might not ever remove it from the mount, but I’ve already seen 2 go in the drink. Not mine though.....

Amped Outdoors

These are an awesome battery and an awesome company. IMO

Alta

None. Never been much of a problem in this lake but there are several regional lakes that have this problem.

All valid points. However, it still has some advantages including: 1.) I can car top it so I don't need a trailer 2.) I don't have to register it unless I go on federal navigable waters 3.) I have spot lock so I can effectively anchor in any depth of water without the danger of dealing with an anchor rope 4.) Not everyone has the same physical capacity to paddle/pedal for hours on end and this opens up opportunities to them 5.) I can still beach launch and avoid launch fees or hit under-fished areas 6.) If the motor dies I can still paddle it reasonably well compared to a powerboat Also I really don't feel limited on space but then I've fish from much smaller craft my whole life and I've always maintained that one of the great benefits of kayak fishing is no one asks you to take them fishing!!! LOL

@@spiltmilt Personal preference would be the biggest factor too. I personally got my kayaks for the exercise/activity factor and in my state you have to register a kayak with a motor. The small aluminum boat can car top or pickup top as well and beach land. All single person too. Either way as long as you are having fun go for it!! Thanks for the vids..

Nope still have it but this is fun!

Yes the big catch works great!

The black rod is no longer in production but the red one can be bought here bit.ly/3e8ItAK

@@spiltmilt do you prefer the 2 piece rod or the 4?

I notice no difference in performance. The 4 piece is nice for road trips. Fits under the seats!

@@spiltmilt thanks!! I'm a new kayak troller, lots to learn. I went to the paulson cascade sight was looking at the spreaders you use. There were several options and I no pics show the differences between each model. Which spreader do you use?

Spilt Milt Productions does that rod handle 4 oz cannon ball for trolling?

An insulated Costco cooler bag.

yes