Fishing Kayak Review: Perception Pescador 12

There are many good reasons the Perception Pescador 12 sit-on-top fishing kayak is a fan favorite. First, at only 64 pounds with seat, the Perception Pescador 12 fishing kayak is lighter than almost every boat in its class. Even better, the weight savings come from a paired down hull that isn’t light on form or function.

Second, pedigree. For over 40 years, Perception has been a leader in getting paddlers on the water. The company is staffed by passionate kayakers who design, mold and hand-assemble every Perception kayak in Greenville, South Carolina. With paddling experience running through the company, Perception’s team knows the personal touches that make kayaking fun for paddlers of all experience levels.

Third, a proven track record. Sit-on-top fishing kayak connoisseurs will know the Perception Pescador 12.0 kayak as the original Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120, released around 2008. Today, Wilderness Systems and Perception are both owned by Confluence Outdoor. When the much-loved Tarpon line received an update, the original mold was sent over to Perception to continue as the Pescador 12.

Finally, value. The Perception Pescador 12 is an affordable, versatile fishing kayak that offers many of the premium features of more expensive boats, for less than $800 USD. This Perception Pescador 12.0 kayak review takes a deep dive into the performance, handling and features that make this such a popular boat for so many different anglers.

Fishing Kayak Reviews

On the water with the Perception Pescador 12

Performance

The Perception Pescador 12 is a sit-on-top kayak. Sit-on-top kayaks are the most popular choice for kayak fishing, as the open deck allows the angler better mobility and more accessible storage space for rods and tackle. Sit-on-top kayaks are also easier than a sit-inside to enter and exit, and should you fall out of a sit-on-top you can simply climb back on and get going again.

Topside, the Perception Pescador 12 has an open rear tankwell as well as a spacious front hatch for dry storage. The padded seat is supportive and comfortable and Perception paired it with premium foot braces that don’t slip (more on outfitting later).

The underside of the Perception Pescador 12 is as impressive as the top. The boat paddles confidently and the flat-bottomed, 32.5-inch-wide hull supports a standing angler with good balance. A multi-chine hull profile provides solid secondary stability without reducing maneuverability.

What does this mean, exactly? Well, some kayaks have large flat bottoms with plenty of initial stability, but are considerably less stable when the kayak is tilted to one side (known as secondary stability). Other kayaks have rounded bottoms, which feel more stable in waves and swells but lend the boat a tippy feeling on flatwater, like it wants to rock to one side or the other.

The Pescador combines the best of both worlds. The flat, stable bottom pairs with a multi-chine hull profile that transitions from flat to tilted in gradual steps. This secondary stability gives the Pescador its confidence-inspiring ability to handle rolling waves in exposed waterways. It also allows users to tilt the boat on its edge to enhance maneuverability for quicker turning.

Users of the Perception Pescador 12 are often surprised at how fast this kayak feels compared to similar boats in its class. Its light weight combined with the tapered and streamlined hull shape give the Pescador 12 enough speed to battle headwinds or climb against tidal current. At 12 feet long, it’s not going to win any races against 14- or 16-footers, but the Pescador is still quick for a fishing kayak.

The Perception Pescador 12 hull is cut with long channels that improve tracking. Tracking describes a kayak’s ability to travel in a straight line with minimal corrections. The Pescador 12 is able to hold course in pesky crosswinds thanks to a pronounced keel (ridge in the center of the hull) at the bow and stern.

Perception improved tracking even further by shaping the Pescador 12 stern to act like a built-in skeg. A helpful analogy is to think of a skeg like studded tires on an icy road. Without it, when you stopped paddling, the rear of the kayak would slide out like the back end of a car that’s lost traction.

Perception Pescador 12 users also applaud the boat’s ability to handle waves and choppy water with ease. If you look at the side profile of the Pescador, you can get a sense of something kayak designers call “rocker”. Rocker describes the hull’s upward curve from bow to stern. A kayak with extreme rocker from end to end would have a banana shape. Like every other design element, rocker is a compromise: lots of rocker equates to better maneuverability and handling in choppy water, but poor tracking and less speed on flatwater. The Perception Pescador 12 has just enough rocker to assist with riding over choppy water so you don’t bog down in the troughs, but not so much that it robs cruising speed.

Market and demographics

The Perception Pescador 12.0 kayak is a sit-on-top fishing kayak best suited for lakes, ponds, slow-moving rivers and calm coastal areas.

The sub-$800 price tag and paired down outfitting classify the Pescador 12 as an entry level kayak, but this proven design is well known for punching above its class. Longtime Pescador 12 users say it is one of the best entry level fishing kayaks on the market.

A capable and versatile fishing kayak that can go well beyond the pond, the Perception Pescador 12 is a boat that will grow with aspiring kayak anglers as their skills develop.

About the Pescador 12 fishing kayak

Design

Material and construction

The Perception Pescador 12 fishing kayak is made of high density polyethylene (HDPE), which is a durable and cost effective plastic for kayak production. The affordability and toughness of this material make it the most popular choice for recreational and fishing kayaks.

Perception kayaks are built using a rotomolding process in which small plastic pellets are poured into a mold that is then heated and rotated in an industrial-size oven. This liquifies the plastic pellets and evenly distributes the plastic throughout the mold, resulting in a robust and seamless final product.

Where are Pescador kayaks made? All Perception kayaks are designed and built in Greenville, South Carolina.

Perception Pescador 12 accessories and outfitting

The Perception Pescador 12.0 kayak packs comfortable outfitting and a number of useful accessories into its streamlined design.

The bow of the Perception Pescador 12 fishing kayak has a spacious dry hatch with an easy to open, hinged hatch cover. This hatch is the first of the Pescador’s on deck storage areas and provides an interior space to keep gear loaded toward the bow of the kayak.

The Pescador 12.0 kayak cockpit area offers comfort and functionality that outperforms comparable models with thick ergonomic padding and an adjustable seat back for personalized support. The sliding foot braces allow paddlers to fine-tune their leg position for optimal comfort and fit, reducing fatigue and enhancing boat control.

The cockpit area also has six scupper holes, which act like one-way valves to allow water that splashes into the Pescador 12 to drain out through the floor. Scuppers drain best when the kayak is moving forward, but when you’re sitting still a small amount of water can lap up through the holes. For this reason, foam or plastic scupper plugs are available to seal the holes when desired, and open the scuppers in rougher water or when the boat needs to be emptied.

Perception Pescador 12 rigging includes a convenient bungee paddle park for securing your paddle when your hands are otherwise busy. Multiple gear tracks and Solo Mount recesses make it easy for anglers to add accessories like action cameras, fish finder, GPS and additional rod holders. Behind the seat, a pair of molded-in rod holders keep stashed rods out of the paddle swing.

The stern of the Pescador 12 is occupied by a spacious rear tankwell that is criss-crossed with bungees and drained by scuppers. This open storage area provides an easily accessible space for tackle and gear, and is large enough to accommodate a fishing crate or cooler.

Below the rear carry handle on the stern of the Pescador 12 is a drain plug. Drain plugs provide a way to empty any water which has entered the interior of a sit-on-top kayak’s hull. It’s common to have a very small amount of water enter the hollow cavity of the hull through outfitting screws or hatches. Before hitting the water, be sure the drain plug is tightly closed to keep water from filling the kayak.

Opportunity for modifications

Handy kayak anglers looking to get the most out of their fishing kayak have opportunities for DIY Perception Pescador 12 rigging modifications.

A useful upgrade for anglers headed onto more exposed waters or looking to control drift on slow-moving rivers and tidal currents is a Perception Pescador 12 rudder kit. The kit is available directly from Perception and, in addition to the stern-mounted rudder, requires installing a different set of foot braces and connecting cables to steer the rudder system.

Another possible modification is a seat upgrade. While the seat pad and backrest of the Pescador 12 are more comfortable than many comparable kayaks in this price range, some users may prefer more padding or support. Since Perception does not offer a compatible over-the-counter seat upgrade, an easy DIY Perception Pescador 12 seat mod would be to install a more supportive, third-party backrest and thicker piece of foam to raise your seating position. The popularity of this classic fishing kayak means there’s no shortage of advice and YouTube instructional videos from other Pescador users in the kayak fishing community.

Keep in mind that the low seating position of the Pescador 12 does provide a good amount of the kayak’s stability. The downside to modifying a seat and lifting your position in a kayak not designed for this, is you may lose some stability by having a higher center of gravity.

Another option if you prefer a higher seating position is to consider the Pescador Pro 12.0, which is only $200 USD more than the Pescador 12 and includes an elevated stadium-style frame seat. The seat goes from high level to low level and back with a scooch of the butt. A higher seating position also allows for easier transitions to standup fishing. Scroll down for a more in-depth look at the differences between these two popular models.

If you’re looking to add power to your fishing kayak, you may be disappointed to learn there is no Perception Pescador 12 trolling motor. However, like most fishing kayak modifications, where there’s a will there’s a way. Users of the Pescador 12 have fashioned motor mounts to the stern to turn this paddle powered boat into a motorized craft. In addition to mounting the motor, you’ll need a marine battery stored in the stern tankwell. Once again, watch as many YouTube user videos as you can before drilling any holes in your Perception kayak.

Warranty

Perception offers a five-year limited warranty on the hull and deck of the Pescador 12 from the original date of purchase.

Parts, accessories and outfitting are provided a one-year warranty from manufacturing defects.

How it compares

The Perception Pescador 12 is a favorite in a crowded class of low cost sit-on-top fishing kayaks. Here are comparisons to a few other models in the Pescador lineup to help you decide which may be best for your fishing experience.

• Perception Pescador 12 vs Pro

  The Perception Pescador 12 and Perception Pescador Pro 12 are the same hull design with the Pro bringing a few upgrades on deck for an enhanced user experience.

  Most notably, the Pro features a removable stadium-style frame for a higher, drier and more comfortable seating position. This is in comparison to the Pescador 12 seat, which is molded into the deck of the kayak with a simple padded cushion and folding backrest.

  For storage space, both the Pescador 12 and Pescador Pro 12 have a large stern tankwell capable of carrying tackle boxes, cooler or a fishing crate. The difference between the two comes to the bow storage. The Pescador 12 has a bow hatch accessing dry storage, while the Pro 12 has a second open tankwell space with a mesh cover to keep your gear in place. The open tankwell on the bow is advantageous for kayak anglers seeking maximum storage space on the deck.

  The other major difference in features between the 12 and Pro 12 is the inclusion of a fish finder console space and drill-free transducer mount on the Pro 12. For gadget craving kayak anglers, having a ready-to-go space for their fish finder saves installation time and drill holes in your kayak.

  Ultimately, the decision between the Pescador 12 or Pescador Pro 12 may come down to individual comfort and fit. For users who prefer a deluxe frame seat, spending an extra $200 on the Pescador Pro 12 may be a small price to pay.

• Perception Pescador 10 vs 12

  The Pescador 10 is another size option from Perception, and one of the company’s best selling fishing kayaks. The Pescador 10 and 12 complement one another in the Perception fishing lineup, and either could make a great fishing kayak for you.

  With the same outfitting and design elements, the only significant difference between the two boats is size. The Pescador 10 is 10’6” long, compared to the 12-foot Pescador 12.

  Since longer equates to faster, all other things being the same, the 12 has a slight edge on its shorter sibling in terms of speed and tracking. On the other hand, smaller users and those who fish in tighter waterways may prefer the Pescador 10’s more nimble maneuverability and lighter weight. The Pescador 10 weighs 57 lbs, seven pounds less than the Pescador 12, and a 10-foot kayak is also easier to store and transport.

  Size also affects weight capacity; the Pescador 12 can carry an additional 50 pounds for a maximum capacity of 375 pounds.

  In summary, choose the Pescador 12 if you fish on larger, more exposed waters or need the additional weight capacity. The Pescador 10 is a better choice for smaller paddlers and those who fish tighter ponds and rivers where a more maneuverable kayak is desirable.

• Perception Pescador Pro 10 vs 12

  The Pescador Pro 10 is built on the Pescador 10 hull discussed above, and features the Pro deck features outlined in the Pescador 12 vs Pro comparison. If you are seeking a slightly shorter and more maneuverable kayak with an elevated stadium-style frame seat and open bow tankwell for more on-deck storage, then the Pro 10 may be a good option for you. If you’re happy with a lower seated position, combined with better speed and tracking for cruising open water, the Pescador 12 is the more suitable choice.

Where to buy the Perception Pescador 12

You can find Perception kayaks at specialty paddling shops as well as many major outdoor sporting goods retailers. For example you will find the Perception Pescador 12 at Academy Sports, REI and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Pescador 12 Pros and cons

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