As I mentioned in the review of the Old Town Vapor 12 Angler kayak, my first love is high performance, British-form, sea kayaks and open ocean racing kayaks. Thus, I tend to have a distinct preference for long, slim, sit-inside kayaks as opposed to short, wide, sit-on-top kayaks and that extends to fishing kayaks as well.

Therefore, while I have always liked Perception kayaks, they have really outdone themselves with the Sound 12.5 Angler. At 12’ 6” in length and with a beam of 28 ½”, this kayak is a bit wide by sea kayak standards but, is rather narrow by fishing kayaks standards.

Also, it features a tri-hull design which, when combined with its other specifications, it is an exceptionally fast fishing kayak. In addition, as a general rule, sit-inside kayaks tend to have more efficient hull designs than sit-on-top kayaks and the Sound series is no exception. However, what I like most about this kayak is that it has been designed in such a way that it retains many of the key features of both sit-inside kayaks and sit-on-top kayaks.

For instance, the enclosed cockpit gives you a feeling of having some protection from the elements and the low seating position that creates an ultra-stable paddling platform. Plus, there is just enough of a lip on either side to engage with your knees so that, when the Zone seat pad (which is engineered to provide the ultimate comfort and fit) is combined with the Keeper’s adjustable foot braces and padded thigh braces, you have considerably more control over the kayak than you otherwise would. But, like a sit-on-top design, it also features a large, open, cockpit that provides plenty of room to stand in the kayak while fishing and a molded-in dashboard that provides a place to put small items such as fishing lures. Plus, it includes a includes a Scotty Bait Caster rod holder.

Furthermore, there are two molded rod holders located on either side aft of the cockpit to keep your rods handy but out of the way when not in use and there is additional storage space aft of the seat in addition to a molded-in tank well in the stern that is perfect for carrying a small cooler or a live bait well. Another feature that I really liked on this kayak is the anchor trolley system which enables you to use a kayak anchor to position the kayak with either the bow or the stern facing into either the wind or the current depending on your preference and the prevailing conditions.

Personally, I have always been partial to Perception kayaks and this kayak is no exception. Thus, since this kayak incorporates most of the features that I require in a fishing kayak, I would have to say that “yes”, I would purchase one. While it may not be as glamorous as some of the other fishing kayaks on the market, it is nonetheless well designed and the lack of outfitting can easily be corrected using some of the many aftermarket fishing kayak mounts.
Last, due to it’s in between length and relatively narrow width combined with the enclosed cockpit and the ability to add a spray skirt, this is an excellent kayak for fishing on just about any type of water that you would care to paddle a kayak on.