Wilderness Systems Recon 120

Size, weight, and capacity

The Wilderness Systems Recon 120 is designed to be capable in all conditions, balancing speed and tracking against balance and maneuverability. This kayak is 12 ft. 2 in. (371 cm) long and 38 in. (96.5 cm) wide. Though this width will slow the kayak down a little, the long waterline will help it maintain a reasonable top speed.

A maximum capacity of 450 lbs. (204 kg) matches the scale of the dimensions and allows you to fully make use of all the storage options onboard. 

The Wilderness Systems Recon weighs 95 lbs. (43 kg). This isn’t the heaviest kayak on the market at all, but you will still struggle to move it single-handed. Consider a trolley or trailer for getting your kayak to the water if you regularly paddle solo.

Features

This is a feature-laden kayak that is fully fishing-ready and has the onboard space you need for your gear. A large storage hatch at the bow comes with a removable bucket system to help you organize your gear. At the rear, there is a large tank well complete with a shock cord to secure crates or coolers.

The seat of the Wilderness Systems Recon 120 is specifically designed for anglers, with a higher position to give you greater command of the water. This mesh seat keeps you cool on the water and can be moved one-handed, so you can adjust your kayak’s trim on the move. Silent traction deck padding, fitted in front of the seat, gives you grip and stability as you stand to cast.

Rod storage can be found in the form of two rod troughs fitted on either side of the seat. These can hold up to three rods each and are fitted with sound dampening traction deck padding.

A stern mounting point gives you the ideal space to fit a motor or Power Pole, while side tracks let you customize your setup.

Performance

The Wilderness Systems Recon 120 is a kayak for serious anglers. The versatility that this kayak offers means that it can be your go-to for every outing, from recreational fishing trips with your buddies, all the way to competition-level angling.

The extra-wide design makes this kayak highly stable. Combined with the deck padding, standing to cast is no problem. This width does slow the kayak down a little over the water, but it still tracks well and carries a good amount of speed easily. If you’re going to use paddle power, you’ll need a long kayak paddle to reach over the edges of the Recon 120.