Tarpon 120

had 3other yaks moken ten , big game prowler two and a viking profish reload, the reload is a performance fishing yak that is fast and stable but fully rigged is a tad heavy for long hauls on the trolly over sandy beaches. So I bought a tarpon 120 for beaches as it is lighter when I paddled this yak I was amazed at the speed and stability of it in fact it is on par with the reload and handles a chop no problem but for long distances offshore I will use the reload as it's longer and could cope with worst conditions should it turn.

in my opinion the tarpon 120e is a lovely kayak for fishing quick stable and very comfortable no leaks in the hatches yet very well made. all in all five star.

fozzo.

Bought my Tarpon 120 in the spring of 2021. I have 2 inflatable kayaks, and I have rented several hard shell kayaks. I belong to a paddling group and we all test drive each others new to the water kayaks. Easy to say I have a short experience with several types/brands SOT and sit inside kayaks. I am not an expert, I have only paddled a few years and still learning. My somewhat brief experience lead me to the Wilderness yak and I knew the 12 foot would track best for my needs. I paddle rivers with minimal current and lakes, March through November ish. Flat water and choppy water, some wind but generally under 12 mph describes my familiar match. This kayak handles very well, tracking is above grade, stability is peace of mind safe, getting on and off easy for this 60 plus gal. I have spent hours on the river with no fatigue, 12 miles has been my limit/day. I am very happy, satisfied with my purchase and I would do it all over again. If your plans are to do similar paddling this yak will not disappoint. PS -- my dog approves of the ride as well.

Wife has a Tarpon 12 for 2 years the 2019 model She is 140lbs and a perfect fit. Boat handles wonderful, lots of room for storage or packing. The seat is one of the most comfortable available. Wilderness made some slight modifications for the newer 2020 model. She loves to hang her feet over the sides on a hot day. Max load 240lbs. for dryness and handling I tried a Tarpon 12 but I weigh 290lbs. not enough buoyancy for me, I was riding with water all over the floor. I bought a Ride 115

Front hatch puddles with water. It doesn't have a channel to drain and gasket isn't good will take on lots of water. Center hatch is hard to open and things will slide in hull . Also doesn't come with rear rod holders, will have to install aftermarket holders.

My Tarpon has met all and more of my expectations! Originally bought 2--you know the spouse wants her own--but she made me exchange it for a different brand in YELLOW! Like that's important!

Have since bought two more Tarpons for the grandchildren. We make quite a flotilla on Lake Burton in Georgia.

Main plusses are safety, stability, trackability, sturdiness, and comfort--especially the new seats. If I live long enough, I'll get some more for the great-grands!!

What a difference a kayak can make. We tried many rentals before making our purchase, I knew I wanted a sit on top as being in Florida it gets very hot. A sit on top is also easy for me to get on and off. This kayak tracks beautifully. Yes, it goes straight even in the current of our springs. In most of the rentals I would stop to take in the scenery and end up going sideways against the side vegetation. Not with this one, it stays straight. A big concern I had was the weight as I have to place on roof of vehicle. This is not a lightweight kayak. At 63lbs. I do need help. I am glad I choose this yak as it fits me perfect, from the size to the color!

This is my second Tarpon boat. I owned my last one for 9 years. The 120 tracks well and is very stable. I have taken it on two 5 day 160 mile trips with no issues. My only complaint is the hatches are not watertight like other boats. Every time it rains there is always water in the compartment. My last Tarpon with the rubber hatch covers did not leak.

I bought the kayak about 5 years ago. The kayak itself has held up great. It was great on the water and I enjoyed being in it. My complaint is the seat. With all the plastic components, it broke soon after I bought it. I spent the next years fixing and rigging the seat so it would work. It was comfortable, just didn't hold up. This past year, the seat finally gave up the ghost and I couldn't fix it anymore. It needed to be replaced. However, I contacted Wilderness thinking there would be a replacement seat. But there wasn't. The representative was helpful and tried to find a fix to my problem but all he could suggest was using a flimsy, universal seat or have one custom made. I was very disappointed that these were my only two options. Unfortunately, I have this great kayak with no seat. Its useless now unless I can, once again, figure out a fix.

I recently purchased the Tarpon 120 after researching SOT yaks and selling 2 sit-ins. I don't fish, but like that this kayak is totally configured for rigging if you choose to fish. It is extremely stable - seat is comfortable and has lots of positions for comfort. After paddling a 9 ft kayak, this boat tracks extremely well. The dry hatches have remained dry, seals are intact - always use dry bags in these areas anyway. Looking forward to having more room for my dog to paddle with me! This yak is weel worth the money and investment!

We had a chance to rent two Tarpon 120 for a day and kayaked the upper IOWA river. This is a great Sit on Top (SOT) Kayak for warmer water and the summer months. The boat handled well, stable, easy to maneuver on a river. We both loved the cup holder and adjustable seat. The mfg. recommended weight capacity is 350lbs but that is overloaded for good handling, my suggestion would be 260lb max weight. Several mfgs make a similar kayak but the seat on the Wilderness Tarpon 120 is very adjustable and very supportive. The foot petals were easy to adjust. The self bailing scupper holes worked great. This is a great boat for some short camping trips with lots of storage. The handles on the end made for easy carrying.

Wanted to purchase this kayak so bad because of the features and good reviews but had to try it first before I purchased. So a dealer let me try one . Paddled about 8 miles with it through smooth water , class 1,2 Rapids and through very small current. I'm 6'1" and 200 lbs and had only a small 12" cooler with me and this yak took on so much water with a 350 lb rating . It only tracks well in flat no current water ,storage area was soaked, the seat even after adjusting felt like a cheap 29.00 dollar water soaked office chair. This boat can't handle waves or rough water at all because the nose sits too low. My wife has a Venus 11 with a 225 lb rating and it handles my 200 lbs weight and cooler better than the tarpon 120. Sorry wilderness , you have a good looking yak but it's like riding a garbage truck. Love the looks though!

I've had the Tarpon 120 for about 8 years. I've used it on lakes, rivers, bays and the ocean. It's a good stable all around boat. Sometimes I tried surfing with it, not a great idea, but it will go through a 3 foot (or more) breaker with no problem. I classify it as very good utility boat.

USCG RETIRED

I bought this kayak new in August of 2015, and I use it regularly to fish the saltwater creeks around Jacksonville, FL. I did some research and a few test paddles before settling on it, and after several months of paddling and fishing I have no regrets.

I love the seat, and have spent up to nine hours fishing in the kayak and not had any back pain (I'm 50, ugh). Another selling point was the rails to mount stuff on. I have accessorized the heck out of this thing, and I like the way I can configure it for what I'll be doing on a particular day.

Last month I had my Outfitter (that sold me the boat) install a pair of Yak Attack "Mighty Mounts" on the flat spots behind the seat, which technically turned my kayak into a 120 Angler. I intend to use those mounts for a flag and a light when I want to be seen.

The Mighty Mounts are the only difference I can see between the 120 and the 120 Angler. If you want to add something to the back of the kayak you can mount it on the rear rails, but do that on land... because anything added to the rear rails needs to come in from the *back* of the rear rails...which could be tricky on the water. You can add a light/flag/rod holder to a mighty mount while sitting in the kayak on the water. If you're on the fence between a Tarpon and an Angler, think about that feature, but know it can be added later for about the same amount of money.

Okay, I can attach a bunch of stuff to it, but how does it paddle? I like the way it handles. This boat is very stable, which is something a fishing kayak *should* be. It tracks well (unless the wind really kicks up) and is fairly easy to maneuver. It handles choppy water and large boat wakes without a problem. When I take my girlfriend paddling later this month, I'm going to take the rental and let her use mine. (There's an outfitter near me that rents Perception Pescadors...a VERY close cousin to my Tarpon, but the latest T120 is a tad wider and more stable than the Pescador)

It's not a fast kayak, but it's quick and responds well. On the day I purchased mine I also test paddled a Tarpon 140. The 140 is a little leaner, and a little faster...but, well, to me, only marginally. I was also looking for something I could car top and self-launch, and the T120 fit the bill.
It's "enough" boat for me. And I really love it.

A tough SOT kayak. An excellent beginner boat. It is stable, durable, and is very versatile. I fish from it, fun on flat water and handles class 1 and 2 rapids fine. It has tons of storage for a mid length boat. It is a bit heavy and awkward to carry solo or I would have given it a 10.

The Tarpon 120 is by far one of the smoothest yaks I have used. The dynamics of the yak allow it to cut through the water like a hot knife through butter. Buoyancy of the unit makes it very stable. The yak sits higher out of the water than most other sit on tops, allowing it to track faster. It is a Cadillac compared to many of the other sit on tops I have used.

Longevity report. My T120 dates back to the first year of production. Never had the leakage problems that the very early run boats had reports of. Always used in salt water often for fishing. It has remained in very good condition has not been heavily used maybe 20 drops a year. Still no leaking. Hull shape has not sagging or torqued. Original fittings have not failed or loosened. If you are thinking of getting a used one I would have to say the build quality would be a positive point in favor of the design. I have always found the design to handle well and relatively friendly on the body when paddling.

I absolutely love this kayak. I am a beginner and bought two of these after trying out several sit-in and sit-on-top kinds. This kayak glides and turns easily, tracks really straight, doesn't require strenuous paddling to get where you want to go, and is incredibly stable. Hull is crafted in high-density polyethylene to provide rugged durability and easy care. Multichine hull responds to leans and delivers terrific secondary stability; self-bailing hull ensures flotation in rough water.

It has great features like 2 mesh pockets on either side of the seat, a small mesh bag under the front of the seat, a cup holder in front of the seat, adjustable foot pegs, an adjustable seat (which is also extremely comfortable and my back never hurts), a small and large dry hatch and extra storage space at the back of the kayak.

What I love most about this kayak is its stability. I recently taught myself to get in and out of the kayak in deep water. Despite my many awkward attempts (I am not a strong person) it never once tipped over. I even got brave and kneeled on it, crawled around on it, and stood up in it and it never tipped! I have taken several hesitant friends out and they are all amazed at how stable it is and how easy it is to paddle. They have fallen in love with kayaking because of their positive experience!

I took my dog out and she sits very comfortably on a towel between my legs and I still have plenty of room to paddle. I have only used it at the lake so far, but have been in choppy water in windy weather and it still did fine. I'm planning to start river kayaking soon.

My only complaint is the weight. It is 60 something pounds and I am short (5'1") and not very strong, so It's a bit of a struggle to carry it far or lift it into the truck. Not impossible, just a little heavy. Other than that I have no complaints!

Incredibly comfortable seat and a great paddling boat. A boat you can spend the day in.

We picked up a Tarpon 120 for my 12 year old nephew to use. It is an easy paddling boat with great tracking and glide. Plenty of room for storage and maneuvers quickly. It performed pretty much the same whether it had his 100 pounds plus gear or my 220 lbs. It's faster with his lighter weight of course. He insisted on getting a rudder. But the boat has mostly been paddled without using the rudder. A great all around boat.

I first reviewed my Tarpon 120 the day I bought it [06-23-2012]. Since then we have logged many hours on the waterways of Tidewater VA as well as in NC and I even took it to Key West this summer. I docked it a point because the front hatch has warped some and leaks a fair amount of water in the boat and because it is not the fastest boat. However, we do average right at 2.5 miles an hour. This is taking into account wind, waves, the fact that we always seem to be going against the tide and all. After 2 ankle surgeries and a total knee replacement, I have missed very little paddling time because the boat is so stable and responsive. My Tarpon is still my "go to" boat and I love it.

New to paddling but I've rented several beginners rec. kayaks (Old Town Vapor, Dagger Dirigo etc). I've used the Tarpon 120 in San Diego's Mission Bay 4 times and I'm very impressed buy the build quality and layout.

First of all the kayak felt extremely stable even when the water got pretty choppy. I had no problem paddling for hours. I'm always pulling away from other the recreational paddlers in our little group that I would consider more fit so the kayak must be contributing. I was also very impressed by the sturdy build quality and thick plastic Wilderness Systems uses on this boat.

My favorite feature was the small sealed compartment between your legs in the cockpit. Nice to have a sealed compartment that is so easily in reach. I prefer to use a Sit In kayak because some of my local lakes don't allow Sit on top but the combination of convenience and build quality make the Tarpon 120 a very tempting option for a beginner to intermediate paddler.

The Tarpon 120 replaces my circa 1993 Sea Lion 17' 6" Aquaterra seakayak that I can no longer use because of spinal problems. Also, at age 65, I can't safely enter an enclosed sea kayak of any kind from the wooden ladder on my seawall. Getting into the SOT Tarpon 120, however, is not the slightest problem.

I've paddled the Tarpon 120 about 60 hours so far, and it certainly lives up to all the rave reviews regarding secondary stability, rock-solid tracking, and maneuverability. Although it's called a "flat water" kayak, I use it on Long Island Sound where conditions can go from flat calm to three-foot waves just a few minutes.

Compared to the Sea Lion, which cuts through waves and chop, the Tarpon 120 is more like a cork that bobs up and down when conditions get rough. I have to be a little more careful about anticipating tide changes and wind shifts, especially when paddling out to Great Captains Island which is about 2 miles offshore. But so far, I've always managed to get home, even if it's taken an hour longer than I had planned.

I find that as long as I paddle into the wind and waves, the Tarpon 120 performs surprisingly well in winds up to about 15mph (with some higher gusts) and waves of up to 2 feet (with a few taller waves).

Here's the GPS summary from my most recent trip which was 6.59 miles. Winds were light at about 5 mph and I departed almost exactly at high tide, so the tide was running the same direction (out) during my paddle, which lasted 2 hours and 19 minutes. My average speed was 2.8 mph and my highest speed was 4.6 mph (which doubtless happened at a point when I had both the wind and tide behind me.) This is certainly slower than the 3.6 mph that I hear is the average speed for a sea kayak. Still, given all the advantages the Tarpon 120 SOT offers, I'll happily give up 0.8 mph in speed.

The biggest advantage, of course, is safety. I like to paddle in the open Sound and at some points I am more than 2 miles from the nearest land. Even at 45 years old, re-entering and pumping out an overturned seakayak was difficult. At 65, it's probably impossible.

The second biggest advantage is the amazing Airpro seat, which is incredibly comfortable. My longest trip has been about 4 hours without any lower back discomfort. A can't even sit at a desk that long without significant back pain.

On the con side, I'm not sure were it's coming from, but I do collect some salt water whenever I go out. I've solved the problem with a couple of Swoosh bailing sponges that absorb 1 quart each. After three or four trips, I squeeze them dry. I've never actually measured how much I squeeze out, but I'd estimate it's about 1/4 to 1/2 quart.

The main reason I've shaved off one point on this review, is because while the Tarpon 120's "high-density linear polyethylene" may be maintenance free, it's not all that tough. Sure, my Tarpon 120 gets dragged across rocks, barnacles, oyster and clam shells -- but that's inevitable when the tide drops almost 1 foot per hour and a kayak that was at the water's edge when you land, may be 15 feet from the water after a 45-minute lunch break. At any rate, while my Sea Lion would scratch slightly after being dragged over rocks and shells, the Tarpon 120 actually gouges.

After a month's use, my hull is covered with scrapes and gouges that are perhaps 1/16 to 1/8th of an inch deep and leave little pieces of dislodged plastic hanging from the hull. It seems to me, that the Tarpon 120 hull is far softer than the exceptionally durable polypropylene hull of the Sea Lion.

Bottom line: the Tarpon 120 is no sea kayak, but it's fine substitute.

The kayak is a good kayak for inshore or bay fishing, not the most stable kayak out there, but the price and design make it worth the bang, It has good hatch size and the structure is built to cut through water, would recommend as a beginner or intermediate kayak

I've owned this kayak for 4 years now. It's lightweight, durable and small enough to maneuver around tidal creeks and small rivers very easily. It's very stable and even allows you to stand up in it in calm waters.

I've given it an 8 because there are a few things that I'd like to change. Feet pedals are a little flimsy and the handle on the front had to be replaced. These may just from typical wear and tear but I would think both of these items should last longer than 4 years.

This is still my all around "Go To" Yak. It tracks pretty good and has fair speed for a sit on top. It is very stable to fish out of ,with lots of storage in easy access. It's fun to play with on 1/2 class rapids and durable.. Lost one of mine going down the road (Failure to secure well - my fault). Turned around and got it out of the ditch and it barely had a scratch..I would recommend this boat for someone who would like a good all purpose kayak.

The Tarpon 120 is my first Kayak. I wanted one that was stable and appropriate for lakes. I have had it for about 6 weeks now and thoroughly enjoy it. It is very stable and the seat is extremely comfortable. It tracks well, but is a bear to paddle into a good wind. It is a little heavy, but I can manage it pretty easily. It has good handles that make it easy to move around. While I enjoy the sit on top, I will get another to sit inside to extend my seasons.
Fun boat overall.

Bought the Tarpon 120 used, my first kayak. It sat for 2 years, just got it out this year. It's heavy, about 60 lbs, so hard to handle it and rack it myself. Anyway... totally enjoying it. Stability is important to me and the Tarpon is very stable. I call it The Cadiyak - Cadillac Kayak. I might want to get something lighter and shorter (12 ft) than the Tarpon at some point, but am totally enjoying my first kayak.

Stable, lots of features, tracks well, etc. It doesn't maneuver as well as a few other kayaks I've been in, but that hasn't been a problem as I'm mostly paddling around lakes at this point.

I have owned my Tarpon 120 for 3 years now and use it for pleasure paddling and for backcountry photography with pro cameras and lenses. I find the hatches and storage to be great for my needs and feel very secure in storing thousands of dollars of gear inside this kayak!

If you have been pulling your hair out researching kayaks you can stop, this is the one to own. Expensive, as all the good ones are, but well worth every penny. Great kayak for every situation. I have owned mine for three seasons now and will never consider buying another brand, well maybe a Jackson Cuda, but this kayak is the master of all kayaks.

I picked up a 12 and 10 footer after using my 14 footer for 2 seasons. The 120 is used for fishing and does not have a rudder on it. I use it on a 110 surface acre lake and find it tracks well, although not as straight and fast as my 14 which was expected. It seems to have as much practical storage and weight capacity as the 140. My 4 1/2 y.o. can sit comfortably in the stern tankwell and troll while I paddle.

I highly recommend Yak Attack RAM mount screwballs vs. using the slidetrax plates if you plan on using RAM accessories. The 2009 and younger hulls are better due to the Phase 3 seating, scuppered seatwell, and slidetrax system. Love my Tarpons!

Very happy with my 2012 Tarpon 120.
Speed Medium Fast, Turns easy. Stability 8 of 10. Weight about 63lbs, not too bad loading onto my Nissan Pathfinder. This is about average weight for this class of boat.
Storage is more than adequate, I can even store rods inside boat through front hatch.
Very comfortable seat, can fish all day no problems. I stay pretty dry even with moderate chop.
Very well made compared to others in same class, size.

ONE WORD: AWESOME!
Love these kayaks, stable, roomy, everything where you would want it, and upgrade options, lots of storage, the most awesome seat ever so comfortable...and we got the package deal and they didn't scrimp on the paddle or vest, they are both very nice... and did I mention stable? Yes!! In our 50's and needed stable..tracking is fine..did my research and we are so happy...can't wait to take other places and explore, and I do photography so being stable for my digital dslr and lenses is a must!! And I got a dry bag to put it in just in case...kayaks are built nice too..so in love!!!
Ps - don't tell my husband that....

I did my research like everyone else I think but never tried nor had ever seen one of these before. I did my first try out solo in the backyard lake, flat water, it was flying, i can even stand up paddle on it and move it without much effort. it is a bit heavy but i can maneuver it since it is not wide at all, i can graciously put it up or download it from my Element.

Plenty of dry space. second try I had my female dog on it, jack russell terrier, other than driving me crazy at first...she loved it....then my wife, not a skinny stick, she is about 135 and 205 myself...plus 10 pounds of extra stuff, you know, women, i sat her in front of me and leaned back to open a gap since i was the only one paddling, it moved faster than I expected...we did 6 miles, all fun, I loved it and we haven't even used its full potential.
no cons so far.

Bought a tarpon 120 about 6 months ago now and I love it. It works everywhere! Having paddled the prowler 13 which was the other kayak I was interested in I found straight away I preferred the Tarpon. I have used it for estuary fishing, Spinning in small coves, wreck fishing (garmin etrex H, Good budget GPS for plotting wrecks) and deep sea fishing a few miles off sure. On every occasion the boat has performed perfectly, weather having to maneuver in tight spots or fight through some very nasty chop it's a great all rounder. Was out this weekend having launched from a sheltered cove in some rough conditions with wind swells push up around 4ft and it rode over them fine and even gave a stable enough fishing platform to catch some pollock. There's plenty of storage for everything you'd want to take out with you and it's easy to personalize the set up how you want it. Upon using a mine a friend purchased one shortly after and loves it just as much....Definitely a worth while purchase if your looking to get the most out of all aspects of sea angling!

Ok, so here's what I've got. After searching high and low for a decent fishing kayak, I decided on the Tarpon 120. I am 5'8" and weigh 170, this kayak is great, super quiet, plenty of storage, and a practical layout.

When it came to buying a kayak I was torn between two, the Tarpon 120 and the Ocean Kayak 11 Trident, I really liked the way the Trident looked and I thought the rod pod was a necessity. With that said, I went to the local shop and sat in both of them, did research, sat in them, did more research etc. So I bought the Tarpon, it came with a better seat, and honestly it seemed to be better built, it also has a lifetime warranty.

So when comparing the Tarpon with other kayaks I've used I can say that the Tarpon 120 against the Prowler 13 is hands down a better kayak. I paddled the Prowler for about two hours straight today and find it to be very big and bulky, not very maneuverable, and sitting much higher from the water line the wind was throwing me everywhere.

Pros for the tarpon:

• Tracts good for the size
• maneuverable
• Layout
• craftsmanship
• 3 phase seat
• carrying handles
• scupper holes have channels

  Cons:

• a little heavy
• hard to clean under seat pan
• cup holder is a bit of a reach

Lastly, I tried standing in this kayak and failed. I took a quick bath but that was all, none of my gear went, and, getting back in was a snap. The Prowler I used I could stand while I was cruising. I know I am forgetting much, but I spent all day fishing and am whooped! BTW, the bungie between your feet holds the fish down great if you forgot your stringer! Tight lines.

Victoria, BC Canada - Tarpon 120 Angler - Ocean fishing for salmon, halibut, flounder, rockfish and lingcod. Freshwater fish for trout, bass and carp.

Owned and fished from several brands of SOT kayaks now, including but not limited to Ocean Kayak Malibu, Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro, Hobie Maui,and NuCanoe, and the Tarpon 120 is a great mix of everything, and a superior boat to all of them in my opinion.

After paddling a fast but tippy scupper pro, and a very very very slow but stable NuCanoe, I feel that the Tarpon 120 Angler is a great combination of speed and stability, and it does not sacrifice any comfort to achieve this. I have no issues spending 4-8+ hours in this kayak, and have no back fatigue as of yet. The hatches are dry, the factory rod holders couldn't be in a better place and the amount of storage room in the little boat is staggering. I fish this yak in the chuck, some big chuck at that, in freshwater lakes and rivers and it has not failed me yet. I have not tried any whitewater with the boat, but that will likely change this summer.

To be fair, and not only critique the good, the one thing I would say is a negative to this boat (and many other SOT's) is that for a shorter person, it's hard to reach the front section of the kayak where they have placed the little spots to mount Scotty accessories, but this isn't really a problem because the factory rod holders work so damn good.

All in all, I would give this kayak a 10 out of 10, simply because no other kayak has come as close to perfect for me as this one has.

My wife bought one of these (I bought a 13' Hurricane - see separate review) and I greatly admire this boat. Nicest SOT I've ever played in, comfortable, nice ergos, and paddles well. Worth the price plus.

I have an 2007 model. It's worked very well in the Guadalupe River, and down on the coast. Over time though, many of the hardware fasteners (screws) have come loose, causing me to have to try to re-bolt the handles and seat from the inside of the boat (not an easy task). Hopefully they've been able to fix this problem in the new boats for 2010. Also, the front hatch on mine has a tendency to come off on drops and rough chop. This caused me to nearly sink on one river outing. Believe me its hard to get a water logged kayak out of the river and drained. Maybe the new forward hatch system will solve this problem. I plan on going to Austin Canoe and Kayak and have them install bungee cords to keep extra pressure on my forward hatch. Otherwise this kayak has taken all the abuse I've thrown at it. Numerous scars from the shallow Guadalupe, but keeps on performing. I'm happy in my choice of a Wilderness Systems kayak.

Got one of these recently and am really enjoying it. The only problem I'm having is that I want to go out in it a lot more than my schedule allows. I was a little worried about the seat at first but then just messed around with the adjustment a little more and found that it is good for me. I haven't gotten uncomfortable in it. I was looking at another kayak with "the ultimate kayak seat in it" but decided the Tarpons construction was better and felt a sot was going to be faster and handle plenty of gear for me. It has done that. I was able to stand and paddle while going down the river last trip out. That was really fun. Felt like I was mixing in some surfing. I'm sure if you were in a rough river with lots of rapids this would be a real feat but where I was on flat water it wasn't that difficult. I could definitely spot fish easier standing. Stayed dry on the trip too, at least till it warmed up enough for some wading. So in short, I'm very happy with my purchase.

I loved this kayak. In fact, so did someone who stole both of them from my backyard on a bayside lagoon in NJ - first time anything's been stolen in the neighborhood in 10 years. I guess the thief knew how well they perform or how much they could get for 'em on the black market. I'll miss the Tarpon 120; it's a dry ride, plenty fast, tracks well and quite comfortable. The only thing is if you're paddlin' in my neighborhood in an orange Tarpon 120 you might not come out alive...

I have had several kayaks and debated whether to go with a SOT but my first look at this and I was hooked. The design of this yak is terrific. It is the best cross btw a SOT and SI that I have ever seen.

It took some getting used to how to load and unload alone (female 5'6" 150) and this is my first 12' model weighing in at 65# but I also bought the fabulous Paddleboy scupper hole wheel set which works beautifully. All I have to do is get my yak on and off my jeep and in 20 seconds I have the wheels in the holes and I am rolling! I can handle that. The wheels take care of the rest easy across sand, hills and other terrain.

As for kayaking in this - I couldn't be more pleased. The extra length helps with speed and tracking which is wonderful and better then my old SI. It handles turns, chop in the Gulf and bays and is just fine on our local rivers and creeks. The storage is fabulous 2 waterproof inset storage areas and a great back section deep and wide well with well designed bungee systems all over the boat.

The seat is amazing. Adjustable and best back support I have ever seen in a kayak. Plenty of handgrips sides and bow and stern... I can't say enough about the comfort of this boat.

The little extra work the 65 pounds and 12' give is well worth the trip on the water. I couldn't see it without my Paddleboy wheels though and amazingly they stow perfectly in the back section of this boat or in my auto whichever I prefer.

Thank you Wilderness Systems for a fine product I will be enjoying for years to come. No buyers regret, and I feel I got the boat that is right for me and that has max potential for an activity I love.

I had been looking at purchasing a kayak for about one month. I am 5'11" and 185 lbs. I went into my local paddling shop in Orange County (UPSportsKayaks.com) and they showed me the new 2009 Tarpon Kayak. WOW!!! The new updated hatches and seats are great. They let me take out their demo Tarpon and I loved it. It has a very dry ride, good speed, and is very stable. I had them outfit it with a fishing package and I am now ready to go. If you are looking for a new kayak definitely checkout the new Tarpon 120 fro Wilderness Systems!

I bought this boat about 4-5 weeks ago. Went in to get a deal on an 07 and ended up with the same deal on on an 08. I'm about 6'4 and about 235lbs. I'd been paddling my friends 100 and enjoyed it, so I figured the 120 would be even better. Well, the cockpit is about the same size as the 100, but it has the adjustable foot pegs instead of the molded steps. Nice change for me.

In 2008, WS made some changes in their mold and removed the scupper holes from behind the seat, so no more wet bottom, Awesome. However, they also introduced a new adjustable seat back. I would have given the boat a 9.5 instead of a 6 if they hadn't done this. In theory it is nice to have the adjustment on the seat back. However the plastic on the back itself flexes way more than the metal post on which it slides. The result is a visibly bruised back (right ! on the spine) after about 45 minutes of light paddling and fishing. It's much like leaning against a broken street sign. Unfortunately for WS, I think this new seat is standard on all of the 2008 SOTs.

A wise thing that they did do however was discontinuing the dark olive color they used in their camo and as a solid color in previous years - after a day in the sun it got VERY pliable and dangerously hot. The new camo is a mix of sand and spruce. Nice combo, but did not mix in the mold very well. It's pretty much green with a splash of sand on the bottom and 2 places near the cockpit. Still decent looking though.

End result: Go buy an 2007 for less and get 2 pieces of foam for the seat scupper holes. Hopefully there will be a recall on the 08 seat backs, but I'm not holding my breath.

Just got the kayak a week ago and have been out on the bay twice with two very different experiences. The first time out the Chesapeake was relatively calm, and it made for quick paddling. The Tarpon is much faster than I expected it to be, faster than my wife's Dagger Blackwater 10.5. I didn't have any trouble keeping the kayak tracking straight. I think the only reason I'd look at a rudder is for waves (see below).

The second time out was totally different. The bay was very choppy with many waves about a foot tall, and one that was at least a foot and a half tall (a friend told me that means it is probably a 'three foot wave') and high winds. The Tarpon would go up the waves, and slap down only to go back up again a second later. I still was going where I wanted to, but was having trouble making much headway. Then again, I don't know what could change that. I had put my keys in the little storage area in front of me. Big mistake. I hadn't bungeed the top down, and a big wave washed the top off, and got some water in the kayak. The keys were fine, and I learned a lesson about how to rig the boat. I'll probably use the storage behind me for my keys from here on out.

The first trip I was totally dry. During this crazy second trip waves washed up high enough that my butt was wet, but that was really part of the fun. I spend 45 minutes going out, and 8 minutes riding waves back in. The Tarpon is no wave rider, but I caught one wave that took me about 20 yards, it was great! The waves pushing me in did tend to turn the boat a bit, but that's the only time I'd ever consider a rudder, and by just keeping paddling I could go where I wanted to. This was definitely the boat for me.

This boat joins 3 canoes and another kayak. I bought it mid summer. I had tried an Ocean Prowler 13, but found the ride to be to wet for my taste. With 250lbs in the boat some water collects in the footwell, but the seat stays dry. Using this boat on small to large rivers it is exactly what I expected - stable, can be fished out of; carves turns slowly; little effected by wind at my weight. My 160lb son "got blown all over the place." A good workout pace moves it at 3.8 mph over 6 miles on flat water. With 320lbs in the boat speed drops to 3.6 mph. Material and workmanship were good. The area in front of the seat flexes with modest pressure. Hatch covers and fitting have worked without problems. If a long enough paddle is not used fingers can drag on side handles even when they are fastened down. I can stay in the unpadded seat for 2 to 3 hours without a break. I bought this boat for the added safety of an unsinkable SOT during winter use.

Tarpon 120, rigged for fishing. At a recent tag sale, my wife called and I picked up the Tarpon 120 (2005) for $375 including a 230cm paddle. After reading the reviews here, I have to agree.

Fishing has been a blast. I'm able to get into rivers and the bays of Long Island without problems. Going to take it to the beach next weekend. And upstate lakes after that.

Only question I have after reading reviews is whether the T-120 could really be stable enough with a child in the bow area. (Child's 60 lbs (great swimmer) and I'm 235). I think I'll either get another T-120 or a new OK Malibu Two XL.

I was looking at the OK Malibu XL but this T120 yak was too good to pass up. I may still get the tandem for sanity and safety.

I own a pair of 120's and a pair of 140's. I bought the 120's first and love them. They fly out of the hole and coast like no other 12' yak on the market. They track extremely well even when lightly loaded and travel without making a sound. The 140's are a little more wind affected until you pack them with gear then they out shine the 120's. I have kept my 120's because every inexperienced guest we take with us has had a great experience in them. They are easy to handle and extremely responsive to accelerate. I would highly recommend the 120 for anyone. The 140 needs to be loaded to deal with the wind issue or paddled by an experienced peddler. My wife at 5'3" and just over a hundred pounds handles her 140 fine. It is her favorite boat. I'm 5'10" 215 and as I said if I load the 140 with camping gear and food the wind issues go away. This capacity for load was the reason I bought the 140's. It should be noted here that frequent trips with my guests have caused me to put a 160i on order.

Went through all the comments in this column prior to buying the T120 Fisherman. I had tried several fishing yaks including the T140 and felt most comfortable in the 120. I have not been disappointed in my choice. My only complaints are; 1) the forward scubbers fill the foot well with just enough water to be a pain and I can't lean forward far enough to sponge up the water when I have plugs in and 2) the rudder line to raise and lower the rudder rubs against the hull and is wearing a hole through the hull. I have put some hard plastic material under the line to protect the hull, but I feel this is just a poor design job. Otherwise, I love the boat.

My two friends and I all bought the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 in Nov 2004. The outfitter, Mad Paddlers of Tampa, took us out to Philippe Park for a nice long demo of several boats. We had previously considered Necky Spikes, Ocean Kayaks (can't remember the models. We tried the Tarpon 120 and 140, and the Perception Castor.

The Castor was not a bad boat, and had we never tried the Tarpon 120, it would have been added to our list of "maybes". The Tarpon 140 was a nice boat too, but just a bit too large and unwieldy for us. (We are all roly poly very short middle aged ladies).

The Tarpon 120 impressed us all so much that we bought on the spot. Two of us opted for the beautiful mango color that shades from almost red at the stern to yellow at the bow. Another chose the red.

We have had some wonderful adventures on these boats. The large well in the stern has been great to hold a cooler and other misc. and the other hatches are more than enough storage for us. One friend had hers fitted for fishing, but has not fished yet, as she has been just enjoying the paddling experience so much. The boats are pretty easy to get into, even with one of us having rather poor balance. The forward scuppers to tend to let some water in...I think we will all be plugging these. The seats are comfortable, though we will all probably fit them with those stick on foam pads for longer paddles. We stay very dry, especially the seat, unlike any of the ones I have paddled before. The boats are very stable, and handle beautifully, with accurate tracking. We have not needed rudders, but we have only paddled creeks and rivers, no bay or ocean except at the demo. The only downside at all is that they are a rather hard for us to put onto the roof of my Trooper. (I am designated hauler). We bought two step stools, and have the rack that can carry up to 4 on their sides, but our first time out saw us dropping one boat twice from the roof of the Trooper. (The boat held up well). I think it will just take practice. Luckily, two of us live on the water and we can go out often. I would recommend that anyone looking for a versatile SOT kayak to search out a Tarpon 120 and try it out.

I rented a Tarpon 120 at Hilton Head Outside in NC. My first outing was in the lagoon system throughout the complex I was staying at. Since I passed at least one alligator, stability was an important issue for me. This is one stable yak. I was in the boat for over two hours, and had not problems with comfort. The adjustable seat back worked well. The next several outings were off the beach, and again, I was pleased. Through the surf, this boat was easy to paddle, and I caught some terrific rides back to the beach. Sunburn on my inner calfs was an issue, but otherwise a SOT is the way to go. I am a big guy, 6'2" 260. I will buy the Tarpon 140 for the extra room, but this boat sold me on the SOT. Most of my paddling happens in the Adirondack lakes of New York, but I live near the ocean and the versatility of this boat will increase my paddling time. I have a used the Pungo 120, this boat is going to my son.