The biggest limitation is storage and transportation. The system comes in handy moving into tight fishing spots, but it is also invaluable when holding the kayak in current and wind. Weave through rocks and around deadfalls. Pull into a boat dock and turn around to leave. If the driver accidentally pedals over an underwater obstruction, the fins fold flat to the hull and then bounce back once free of the tree limb or rock below.Īfter a few minutes of getting the hang of the controls, the driver can maneuver the boat backward, forward, side to side, and diagonally. To toughen up the drive, they added kick-up fins. But to maneuver around the docks, rocks, logs, and other obstructions, switch to the 360 control.Īfter cooking up the initial concept for the 360 Drive, Hobie invested hundreds of miles on the prototypes until they dialed in a system that is as reliable as it is maneuverable. The boat still comes with a large, powerful rudder to maintain course when going from point A to B. This allows the kayak to go forward, reverse, sideways, and even turn in its own length. Turn a control dial near the seat, and the fins spin 360 degrees below the boat. It works on a series of cables and gears hidden inside the hull. The icing on the cake is Hobie’s prized MirageDrive 360. The H-Rail is also a convenient grab handle to carry the big boat. The hexagonal bars provide a solid base to mount various Hobie accessories like a rod holder, tackle tray, and ball-mount base. Our favorite feature is the H-Rail bars running down each gunnel. The seat is exceptionally comfortable with padded mesh that dries quickly and adjustable lumbar support. It is the Cadillac of Hobie’s fleet, with the most popular features like dual rudder control, livewell-ready cargo area, below-deck tackle storage, and acres of padded deck space. The Hobie Pro Angler is well respected on the open ocean, in the backwater, and on long-distance expeditions. Currently, the MirageDrive 360 is only available in Hobie’s flagship ProAngler 12 and 14 models. Last year, Hobie engineers burned the midnight oil to come up with the Hobie MirageDrive 360, a finned pedal system that can spin 360 degrees allowing the boat to move in any direction. The only downside is the operator has to reach down and shift the drive into reverse, pulling a cord that spins the flippers 180 degrees. Five years ago, the engineers solved that problem with the MirageDrive 180, still the standard on most models. The only downfall, the fins will not go into reverse, limiting a Hobie’s maneuverability. And the engineers at Hobie say the larger surface area of the flexible fins produces more power with less energy. Fans of the MirageDrive say the forward back motion is less strenuous than turning a pedal crank. Choosing to use oscillating fins instead of a traditional propeller allowed pedalers to go farther and faster. Hobie started it all with the MirageDrive pedal system. Hobie Mirage Drive PA 12 with 360 The Hobie Pro Angler is built for serious fishermen looking to take the next step in kayak fishing. Before heading to the outfitter or clicking the “Buy Now” button, take a look at our picks for the top 9 best pedal kayaks for fishing. Today, pedal-powered kayaks are so popular there are a wide variety of sizes, styles, and models to test drive. Since the first pedal boat emerged, fishing kayaks have grown shorter and wider for increased stability, maneuverability, and fishability. The first pedal-powered boat marked the sport’s transformation from kayakers going fishing to anglers in kayaks. Some people say the evolution of kayak fishing started in 2001 with the Hobie Mirage Outback. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
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