Old Town Sportsman 106 vs Pelican Catch Mode 110

Choosing between the Old Town Sportsman 106 and Pelican Catch Mode 110 comes down to two different advantages. The Sportsman 106 is the better choice for fishing rigging, electronics installation, and enclosed hull access, while the Catch Mode 110 is lighter, less expensive at current manufacturer prices, and easier to adapt for a small trolling motor.

Both are 34.5 inches wide and built around stability rather than speed, so stability alone is not a strong reason to choose one over the other. The more important differences are weight, rigging, storage, tracking, motor compatibility, and price.

Quick Verdict: Sportsman 106 vs Catch Mode 110

Consider a different kayak if long-distance paddling, strong current, exposed water, or hands-free propulsion from day one are major priorities.

If hands-free pedal control is the priority, see our Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 review before choosing either paddle model.

Old Town Sportsman 106 vs Pelican Catch Mode 110 Specs

The two kayaks are almost identical in overall footprint, but weight, storage, rigging, and motor compatibility separate them.

Don’t Compare the Capacity Numbers Directly

Old Town defines usable capacity as the weight remaining for the paddler, gear, pets, and other load after accounting for the assembled kayak. It separately lists the Sportsman 106’s total capacity at 440 pounds.

Pelican lists a 375-pound maximum weight capacity for the Catch Mode 110 but does not present it using Old Town’s usable-versus-total terminology.

Comparing 363 pounds directly with 375 pounds and declaring the Pelican the higher-capacity kayak would therefore be misleading.

Price: Is the Sportsman 106 Worth More?

As of August 14, 2026, Old Town lists the Sportsman 106 at $999.99, while Pelican lists the Catch Mode 110 at $879.99. That makes the manufacturer-price difference about $120. Prices and retailer discounts can change, so the actual gap should be checked before buying.

The important question is what the extra money buys.

The Sportsman includes two 18-inch accessory tracks, a sealed bow hatch with access inside the hull, and a universal transducer mounting system. Those are meaningful advantages for anglers planning to install a fish finder or build a more heavily rigged setup.

The Pelican saves 10 pounds, costs less at the prices checked, and provides a manufacturer-supported path to adding a small stern motor later.

If retailer sales reduce the price difference substantially, the Old Town becomes increasingly attractive because its additional fishing hardware is useful rather than cosmetic.

Stability: Which Kayak Is More Stable?

There is not enough reliable head-to-head evidence to declare either kayak definitively more stable.

Both are 34.5 inches wide. Old Town uses its DoubleU pontoon-style hull and designs the Sportsman 106 as a stand-up fishing platform. Pelican uses a tunnel hull with a wide fishing deck intended to provide strong primary stability.

Independent testing of the Catch Mode 110 has found it stable while seated, elevated, and standing, while recurring Sportsman 106 owner feedback consistently identifies stability as one of that kayak’s main strengths.

Both are stability-first fishing kayaks.

If standing to cast is the main concern, either belongs on the shortlist. Weight, fishing layout, tracking, and motor compatibility do more to separate them.

Weight and Solo Transport: Catch Mode 110 Wins

The Pelican has the clearest advantage for buyers who regularly move the kayak alone.

The Catch Mode 110 weighs 67 pounds, compared with 77 pounds assembled for the Sportsman 106. That is a 10-pound difference even though the Pelican is two inches longer and both kayaks have the same published width.

Ten pounds matters when lifting a wide fishing kayak onto roof bars, carrying it out of a garage, or repeatedly loading and unloading without help.

The Sportsman’s seat is removable, which can make handling easier, but its published assembled weight remains substantially higher.

Buyers using a truck bed, trailer, or low loading system may care less about the difference. For frequent solo roof loading, it can be one of the most important factors in the comparison.

Fishing Rigging and Electronics: Sportsman 106 Wins

Fishing layout is where the Sportsman 106 most clearly earns its higher price.

18-Inch Tracks vs 4-Inch Tracks

The Sportsman has two 18-inch accessory tracks. The Catch Mode 110 has two 4-inch rigging tracks.

Longer tracks provide considerably more flexibility for positioning rod holders, electronics, cameras, tool holders, and other track-mounted accessories.

A buyer who expects to keep the setup simple may never need that much rail space. For an angler who likes to customize, the difference is significant.

Fish-Finder Installation

Old Town builds a universal transducer mounting system into the Sportsman 106. It also provides access inside the hull through the sealed bow hatch, which can help with wiring and electronics installation.

Pelican’s current Mode 110 feature list does not show an equivalent dedicated transducer mounting system.

That does not prevent adding electronics to the Pelican, but the Sportsman starts with more of the necessary infrastructure already designed into the kayak.

For a deeper look at the individual model, specifications, transport considerations, owner-feedback patterns, and other Sportsman versions, read our full Old Town Sportsman 106 review.

Storage and Fishing Deck

The two kayaks approach bow storage differently.

The Sportsman 106 has a sealed bow hatch with internal hull access, plus an oversized rear tankwell.

The Catch Mode 110 uses a bow tankwell with a mesh cover, along with its rear storage area and broad open deck.

Neither layout is automatically better.

Choose the Sportsman if enclosed storage and internal hull access matter. Choose the Pelican if you prefer an uncomplicated open layout with gear easy to reach.

For a deeper look at the Mode 110 and how it compares with the other models in the lineup, see our Pelican Catch model guide.

Seat and Fishing Position

Both kayaks use elevated framed seating rather than basic molded seats.

Old Town’s Element seat offers high and low positioning. Pelican’s Ergoboost seat provides an elevated fishing position and under-seat storage.

Available evidence does not establish a clear seat winner. Comfort will depend heavily on body size, leg position, and preferred seating height.

Paddling, Tracking, and Wind

Neither kayak is built primarily for speed.

Their short lengths, 34.5-inch beams, and stability-focused hulls favor fishing space and steadiness over long-distance efficiency.

The Catch Mode 110 does have one useful tracking feature: a retractable stern skeg. Pelican says the skeg is intended to improve tracking, particularly when wind makes holding a straight course more difficult.

The Sportsman 106 does not list a rudder or comparable retractable skeg on the standard paddle model.

That gives the Pelican a useful tracking aid, but neither kayak should be mistaken for a touring kayak.

Anglers routinely making long crossings or fishing strong current should consider whether a longer, more efficient platform would better fit their use.

Trolling Motor Compatibility: Catch Mode 110 Wins

Motor flexibility is one of the Catch Mode 110’s most useful advantages.

Pelican lists the standard Mode 110 as compatible with its optional stern transom motor mount, which supports electric or gas motors up to 2.5 horsepower. The transom is sold separately.

That gives the buyer a straightforward upgrade path: paddle now, add a modest stern motor later.

Old Town does not list an equivalent factory stern motor mount for the standard paddle Sportsman 106. The company instead sells a separate Sportsman 106 Powered by Minn Kota for buyers who want an integrated motorized platform.

If motor propulsion is already a requirement rather than a possible future upgrade, a purpose-built motor kayak may be a better starting point than either standard paddle model.

What Owner Feedback Adds to the Comparison

Manufacturer specifications explain the hardware. Owner reports help show which differences tend to matter after purchase.

For the Sportsman 106, the recurring pattern is strong praise for stability and fishing space, with weight and transport among the more obvious compromises. The hull is generally better understood as a fishing platform first rather than a speed-oriented paddle kayak.

For the Catch Mode 110, stability, open deck space, and manageable transport weight receive positive attention, while paddling efficiency—particularly as wind increases—is a more common tradeoff. Independent testing also found that deploying the stern skeg noticeably improved tracking.

Individual complaints about components are not treated as widespread defects unless there is stronger recurring evidence.

Final Verdict: Sportsman 106 or Catch Mode 110?

The Old Town Sportsman 106 is the better fishing platform for anglers who want more rigging and electronics capability from the factory. The longer accessory tracks, sealed bow hatch, internal hull access, and dedicated transducer mounting system are tangible advantages.

The Pelican Catch Mode 110 is the better choice for lighter transport, lower current manufacturer price, and future motor flexibility. It weighs 10 pounds less and offers a manufacturer-supported stern-transom option.

Stability is not a good reason to force a winner. Both are wide, stability-focused fishing kayaks.

If neither kayak is an obvious fit, our Best Fishing Kayaks for Beginners guide compares them with lighter, lower-cost, and higher-capacity alternatives.

Old Town Sportsman 106 vs Pelican Catch Mode 110 FAQs

Is the Old Town Sportsman 106 more stable than the Pelican Catch Mode 110?

There is not enough reliable head-to-head evidence to say it is. Both kayaks are 34.5 inches wide and use stability-focused hull designs intended for fishing and standing. Available evidence supports both as stable fishing platforms, but it does not establish a clear head-to-head winner.

Does the Pelican Catch Mode 110 have a rudder?

No. The standard Catch Mode 110 has a retractable stern skeg, not a rudder. The skeg is designed to help the kayak track more effectively.

Can you put a trolling motor on the Pelican Catch Mode 110?

Yes. Pelican lists the Catch Mode 110 as compatible with its optional stern transom motor mount, which supports electric or gas motors up to 2.5 horsepower. The transom is sold separately.

Can you put a trolling motor on the Old Town Sportsman 106?

Old Town does not list a factory stern motor mount for the standard paddle Sportsman 106. It sells the separate Sportsman 106 Powered by Minn Kota for buyers seeking an integrated motorized version. Aftermarket modifications may exist, but they are not the same as a manufacturer-listed mounting system.

Which kayak is easier to roof-load?

The Catch Mode 110 has the advantage on published weight: 67 pounds versus 77 pounds assembled for the Sportsman 106. A 10-pound difference can be meaningful for frequent solo roof loading.

Which is better for a heavier angler?

The published capacities are not directly comparable because the manufacturers use different terminology. Old Town lists 363 pounds of usable capacity and 440 pounds total for the Sportsman 106, while Pelican lists a 375-pound maximum weight capacity for the Mode 110. Buyers should calculate their complete loaded weight—including tackle, coolers, electronics, batteries, and other gear—rather than comparing body weight alone.

Sources & Fact-Checking

This comparison is based on current manufacturer documentation, retailer documentation where relevant, recurring owner feedback, independent third-party testing, and Kayak-Fishing.com analysis. No firsthand use or testing by Kayak-Fishing.com is implied.

• Old Town Sportsman 106 manufacturer specifications
• Pelican Catch Mode 110 manufacturer specifications
• Pelican stern transom compatibility
• Independent Catch Mode 110 testing
• Kayak-Fishing.com Old Town Sportsman 106 review
• Kayak-Fishing.com Pelican Catch model guide