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If you’re trying to find the ideal yak for your fishing needs but you want it to be compact and within your budget, then the Lifetime Tamarack 120 Angler could just be what you’ve been searching for.
It can offer you the chance to access those hard to reach fishing spots without breaking the bank. But is it any good? We’ve looked at the features on this fishing yak to help you decide if it will be the right one for you.
- Length: 10 foot
- Width: 31 inches
- Depth: 14.1 inches
- Weight: 52 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 275 pounds
Lifetime Tamarack 120 Angler Kayak: Is It For Me?
The Tamarack 120 is a yak geared towards anglers. This means it has several features and benefits that you might want if you’re heading out on the water to fish.
It’s a sit-on-top vessel, which could mean you might get wet while you’re paddling, either through scupper holes or from splashes. This might make it better suited for warm weather paddling. But the sit-on-top style may be preferable to a sit-inside for fishing, simply due to the more open seating area and the ability to move around more freely.
Being just 10 foot in length, this yak could be a good choice if you’re looking for a compact vessel that you can load in the back of your pickup by yourself and head off for day of fishing. The short hull length and the skeg can also help with maneuverability in the water, making it easier for beginners to navigate narrow stretches of water.
The design of the hull can also help with stability on flatwater, which can be of particular use to anglers. However, it may not be suited to rapids or choppy ocean water.
Top Features Of The Tamarack 120
The Lifetime Tamarack is a 10 foot sit-on-top fishing kayak that’s designed for stability and durability. It offers the essential fishing features and has the advantage of having a paddle included, so you can get out on the lake as soon as it arrives.
Stable Hull
The Tamarack 120 benefits from a well designed hull that allows for good stability when you’re on the water. The hull features deep channels along the center, with a built-in molded skeg at the rear. This means it’s designed to maximize the stability of the craft as well as help you track straight.
The multi-chine hull can also help with stability, offering both primary and secondary stability, which can be beneficial both for beginners on flatwater and for more experienced paddlers in more choppy conditions.
Because of the stable hull design, you can essentially stand up in it, which could make it easier to cast or sight fish.
Space For Gear
Being a 10 foot craft, there’s surprisingly a lot of space. There are large storage areas at the bow and stern, both with bungee rigging, so you can safely secure loose items. The large area behind the seat can be ideal for holding a crate or a cooler.
One handy feature on this yak is the two 6 inch storage hatches. These can be great for holding smaller items, such as valuables or spare fishing lines. They are also well positioned, with one being directly in front of the seat and the other being behind it.
The Tamarack 120 has a 275 pound weight capacity, so you can load it up with plenty of gear for a day’s fishing.
Being built with angling in mind, this vessel comes with two flush mounted rod holders, located just behind the seat, as well as an adjustable rod holder on the right hand side.
Comfortable Fishing
We all know that a couple of hours fishing can last all day, so you’ll want to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible on those long fishing trips. With the Tamarack 120, you get a padded seat that includes an adjustable padded seat back.
However, with the seat bottom you might to add a little extra padding if you’re going to be on the water for several hours.
To help you stabilize yourself and for more comfortable paddling, there are several molded footrests, which can be useful for paddlers of all sizes. Being molded into the hull can also help with durability, as there no rails or parts to break.
Because it’s a sit-on-top, you might get wet while you’re paddling, especially through the scupper holes in the hull. But you can easily minimize this by purchasing scupper plugs for the holes.
Hmmm, Not Sure. Are There Alternatives?
Vibe Kayaks Skipjack 90
This Skipjack 90 also comes with a paddle included and is a lighter weight alternative, at just 46 pounds. It’s also shorter, at 9 feet, and a little wider, at 32 inches, so it can be stable and easy to maneuver.
As for storage, it has a capacity of 300 pounds and benefits from two sealed hatches and a cargo well. It’s also built for fishing, with four rod holders and a mounting point for accessories. But it’s a little more expensive than the Tamarack 120.
Sun Dolphin Journey 10 SS
Roughly around the same price as the Tamarack 120, the Journey 10 SS is a similar vessel, measuring 10 feet by 30 inches. It also has two flush mounted rod holders and a swivel rod holder in the center. It has a large sealed storage hatch at the back and a smaller one in front of the seat, as well as bungee rigging at the bow.
This one is a little lighter, weighing 44 pounds but has a lower capacity of 250 pounds.
Sevylor Coleman Colorado
If you plan to fish with a friend, the Colorado yak could be a great alternative. Being inflatable it’s easy to take to and from the water, and it inflates to a length of 10 foot 9 inches. It has built-in rod holders, as well as D-rings for attaching other accessories.
There are plenty of storage pouches for your gear and a huge weight capacity of 470 pounds, and it comes in roughly in the same price bracket as the Tamarack 120.
Conclusion
Pros
- Rod holders
- Stable hull design
- Lots of storage space
- Compact
- Tracks well
Cons
- Seat bottom may require extra padding
- Not built for speed
If you’re looking for a good combination of value and fishing features, then the Tamarack 120 could definitely be a good choice. It can offer durability, stability and plenty of storage for all your fishing gear. It even comes with a paddle, which can be a great bonus if you’re new to paddling
If you’ve decided that the Tamarack 120 is the one for you, you can check it out here.
There’s also the Tamarack Angler 100 if you’re after something more compact.
Hopefully you’ve found our review helpful but if you have anything to add, let us know. And don’t forget, you can drop some hints to your friends and family by simply sharing this review with them.
