Thanks for visiting our Perception Pescador 12 Pro Fishing Kayak Review. As you know, you can’t always catch fish from the shore which is why you need the right fishing kayak to take you to where the action is!
But then there is the struggle of choosing the RIGHT kayak.
Not all fishing kayaks are made equally. There are endless variations including the length of the kayak, seats that swivel, number of fishing rod holders and more.
Why Listen To Me?
My name is Christina Bishop. Growing up, I spent most summer days fishing on the lake with my father. I’ve been holding a fishing rod since before I could even walk!
For this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Perception Pescador Pro 12 fishing kayak and weigh in on its features.
The Perception Pescador Pro 12 is equipped with most features a fishing kayaker is looking for making it an excellent choice for you to carry along on your fishing excursions. It is rugged and engineered to get you where you need to go in a variety of water and weather conditions.
The sit-on-top design provides ample storage and accessory mount choices, making it simple to equip your kayak for long day trips.
Does it offer the stability, storage capacity and maneuverability it claims, or does this fishing kayak fall short?
Read on to find out!
Perception Pescador Pro 12 Features:
- Removable Seat – The lawn chair-style seat is very comfortable and adjustable, and we love the fact that you can remove it and use it as a camp chair!
- Center Console with cup holders
- Built-In Fishing Rod Holders (2)
- Skid Plate
- 5 Year Warranty
Our Thoughts After Using The Perception Pescador Pro 12:
We launched this kayak at Tybee Island, Georgia, to really put it to the test!
It’s Built Well
Honestly, we really like it! We also tested the Perception Pescador Pro 10 (10 feet), and we like this 12-foot model much better.
The Perception Pescador Pro 12 is a high-quality, well-designed fishing paddle kayak. It comes in three different colors, and we liked them all so it was hard to pick which one to test out.
Perception manufactures its kayaks with high-quality Polyethylene plastic that you will not find in most fishing kayaks. The brand’s exclusive one-piece rotational sculpting technique used to manufacture the kayak provides durability and resilience. The company claims that the kayak’s special surface coating is UV, scratch, and collision-resistant.
The kayak also has a changeable skid plate at the bottom which means that you can drag it across uneven terrain without any fears. However, we suggest you lift the gear instead of dragging it since the kayak’s surface can wear and tear! We launched and landed from a rocky shore, and the skid plate kept us from getting any scratches.
The Perception Pescador Pro 12 has a spacious storage compartment behind the seat where you can store additional gear, and it is covered with a bungee rope so everything will stay secure.
You will also find a hatching chamber at the front of this fishing paddle kayak where you can store fishing rods or other things that you want to keep dry.
The Perception Pescador Pro 12 features a center console with cup holders for quick access to your favorite beverage (please, don’t consume alcohol when kayaking!) You will also find two carved fishing rod holders at the back of the seat so that you can keep your fishing rods out of the way while paddling.
The kayak also features gear rails on its sides which is great for accessories like attaching a fish finder or paddle holder to stay hands-free when you are casting.
There is room to add a motor or power pole, but our kayak was not equipped with these enhancements.
Stability and Maneuverability
The Perception Pescador Pro 12 features a smooth, curved hull structure and it is narrower than other kayaks we tested. On our voyage, it glided across the smooth water like a hot knife slicing thru butter where we did not have any trouble getting where we wanted to go quickly.
Unfortunately, the kayak does not move as quickly and efficiently on rougher waters. In rougher water conditions, you will notice the kayak is a bit more difficult to control and harder to paddle.
The Perception Pescador Pro 12 is very stable and maneuvers quite well due to its narrow and aerodynamic design. We never felt like it was going to capsize. We were able to stand up in the kayak, but we do not recommend that you stand up and cast in this particular kayak.
Perception Pescador Pro 12 Detailed Specifications:
Size
The Perception Pescador Pro 12 is a 12-foot-long sit-on-top fishing kayak with plenty of legroom. It is 32.5 inches wide and 14.5 inches deep.
Weight
It weighs in at 65lbs making it light enough for one person to lift it a short distance to a car or truck. The kayak is heavy enough to provide the stability that you are looking for when casting or encountering rougher waters.
Capacity
The Perception Pescador Pro 12 has a weight limit of 375lbs, and it is designed for just 1 person.
Operation
The Perception Pescador Pro 12 is a paddle kayak, but you can add an optional motor or power pole. Unfortunately, there is no option to install pedals in this kayak.
Type
This model is a sit-on-top paddle kayak.
The Perception Pescador Pro 12 kayak has other features including:
- 5-year warranty
- Foot Pegs
- Fish Finder ready with space for a transducer battery
- YakAttack gear tracks for adding more rod holders, a Go Pro or more!
The manufacturer really stands behind this kayak, and it is well equipped even if it is lacking some features that some of the more expensive kayaks have.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Speed – Just don’t expect to move as quickly in choppy waters or windy conditions.
- Stability – This kayak is extremely stable as long as you don’t try to stand up and cast.
- Seat – The removable lawn-chair style, sweatproof mesh seat is a real advantage on this kayak.
- Durability – The manufacturer took great care to protect this kayak, including a skid plate. They stand behind it with a 5-year warranty.
Cons:
- Not For All Water Conditions – While the kayak is fast and smooth on calm waters, it can be a bit tougher to navigate choppier waters or windy weather.
- Rod Holders – The built-in rod holders are not secure for all rod types, but this can be fixed with some modifications.
Perception Pescador 12 Review & Final Verdict (4.3/5)
And that was our review of the Perception Pescador 12 fishing kayak.
This is a solid kayak even if it is not rated to stand up and cast. We trust the brand and the 5-year warranty. Oh, and did I mention that it is made in the USA?
Other Fishing Kayak Reviews
- Old Town Sportsman PDL 106
- Nucanoe Frontier 12
- Lifetime Tamarack Angler 100
- Pelican Sit On Top Fishing Kayak
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