The Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14 Fishing Kayak Reviewed
This kayak is very versatile, with the options to adjust seating and side rails plus there is enough room to customize your kayak in certain places.
Hobie has been great at getting feedback on previous models and we feel that they have stepped up their game when developing their latest product.
What to Consider when Buying a Fishing Kayak
Whatever kayak you choose to buy you will be spending a significant amount of money on it, so you want to make sure that you make the right decision.
There are many factors that you need to keep in mind when considering which kayak to buy, including these main areas:
- Skill level
- Sit-on-top vs. Sit-in kayaks
- Type of construction
- Stability vs. Speed
- Intended use
- Outfitting
- Sponsons
- Cost
The Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14 Fishing Kayak Review
You can tell how many features this kayak has by one quick look and when you look closer at these features we think most of them will impress you. The kayak looks like it is built to last, with visibly strong materials giving the kayak an overall feel of being good quality.
As with any product, there are of course downsides to consider before purchasing and we hope that you continue with our review to see if this kayak is the best for your needs.
Specifications
| Length | 13’8″ |
| Width | 38″ |
| Weight | 138 lbs |
| Type | Sit on top |
| Capacity | 350 lbs |
| Rigged for fishing | Yes |
| Propulsion | Paddle |
Pros
- Coming in at 13’8” makes this a relatively fast kayak and you will feel like you own the water in this model
- Reasonably good stability
- MirageDrive system makes it easy for you to propel your kayak
- Good amount of standing room
- Tackle Management System
- Good dry storage
- Great accessories
Cons
- A beam of 38” meaning a less efficient hull
- Less ability to maneuver due to length
- Extremely heavy and you will need help to move it
- No anchor trolly
Size and Weight
The Mirage Pro kayak has an overall capacity of 350 pounds and will be suitable for most anglers who carry an average amount of equipment. The designers have been really clever in developing a longer length kayak that comes in at 13 feet and 8 inches but does not lose anything in the way of stability.
The balance between stability and maneuverability is good, in our opinion.
Coming in at 138 pounds it is extremely heavy compared to some other fishing kayaks and cannot be moved around easily. You will need a trailer for this kayak as there is no way you can fit it to the roof of your car.
Design
The first thing that we feel we should talk about is the price tag on the Hobie Mirage pro. A whopping MSRP puts this kayak out of reach for the average angler and we can only see professional anglers purchasing it.
That said, this is one of the most durable kayaks out there so it is a wise investment if you can justify spending that amount of money.
The design of the Mirage pro is second to none and it is as comfortable as anything we have sat in before, so we do not want to dismiss it altogether.
This model features the MirageDrive, hands-free, propulsion system that enables the use of legs when propelling so that your hands are free to complete other tasks. If you are usually happy using a paddle for propelling, this system may feel a little strange, but we think you will get used to it no time.
Whilst the design of this kayak is not out of this world, it does have some nifty features and, overall, it is easy on the eye. One major downside to this kayak is its weight, coming in at a very heavy 138 pounds.
Of course, this will mean that the kayak is made from quality materials and that it is very durable, but transportation is something that you need to think about before buying. You will need a trailer to move this kayak about as you will not be able to lift it even with support from someone else.
Features
This kayak is not all about what it looks and feels like, it has many innovative features, such as foot braces that you can adjust and adjustable seating.
These features may seem trivial but when you think of the varying sizes of anglers, you can think about how a few inches of extra room can be beneficial. The best feature is the amount of room that this kayak boasts, but there are lots of other things that we like about the Mirage Pro.
Hobie’s Vantage seating system is one of the best that we have ever seen and you can see the amount of effort that has gone into this design.
You can adjust the height of the seat, to suit your individual needs and the backrest can also be adjusted for ultimate comfort. The seat does sit unite high, which is likely to be why the hull is wider than average.
If you like standing in your kayak to fish, you will be pleased to know that there is a massive area in front of the seat for you to do so. There are no obstacles in your way when standing, so you can get on with your fishing without having to worry about tripping over anything.
This is a very refreshing feeling like so many brands have made errors in leaving little room in their kayaks after adding consoles. There is a small hatch just ahead of the seat that holds two tackle boxes that are contained in a pivoting rack to allow access to space beneath which is very handy.
A lot of space means that there is little in the way of mounts, but there is an H-rail mounting system designed to hold a whole host of H-rail accessories. To add to this, there are two, molded, rod holders on both gunwales.
There is a good dry storage area in the hull, that is particularly handy for storing large items. Although there is no anchor trolly you can easily build one, although you have already paid out a significant amount of money if you have bought this, so this would be a further cost.
The great amount of room means there is no trouble fitting in large bat buckets and cool boxes, although you will need to keep in mind that the total capacity is 350 which is a little lower than some other professional level fishing kayaks.
While a lot of the features of this kayak are great, some very unique even, we are not sure if this kayak warrants the price tag. We realize that there are many more expensive kayaks on the market, but most of them stand out from the crowd and we are not sure if this kayak does enough to elevate it from.
We know that there are plenty of people out there who have different views than us, with a man seeing it as a steal at the price it is at, so it really does come down to individual preferences.
Summary
The MSRP does make us think twice about this kayak, as there are other fishing kayaks on the market that offer better features at a lower price.
That said, the kayak has gained great reviews from many reviewers and we are definitely not saying that we do not like this kayak, we are just saying that it is one you need to think about given the price tag. Of course, all people are different and what one person likes the next person will hate.
We guess that this is this case with this Mirage Pro kayak, great to some but average to others. Overall, this is a very attractive kayak that does the job at hand and celebrates a brilliant level of durability and comfort.
Despite some of our minor qualms, we are sure that after reading this review you will have seen the many benefits of this kayak and it will allow you to enjoy many happy fishing days.
