The Hobie Mirage Outback Fishing Kayaks Reviewed – Is it Worth it?
This kayak Mirage is a kayak that has impressed us a lot, due to its versatility and smooth ride.
With the options to adjust seating and side rails plus there is enough room to customize your kayak and make it your own.
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 Outback Angler Fishing Kayak Review
Specifications
| Length | 12’1 |
| Width | 33 |
| Weight | 99 pounds |
| Type | Sit on top |
| Capacity | 400 pounds |
| Rigged for fishing | Yes |
| Propulsion | Paddle |
Pros
- Good balance between speed and maneuverability.
- Propels easily due to the mirage drive system.
- Very comfortable seating.
- Good dry storage.
- Includes paddle keeper.
- Comes with anchor trolly.
Cons
- Less maneuverable you get if you are used to shorter kayaks.
- Poor hull design.
- Very heavy.
- Poor outfitting on the whole.
Size and Weight
The Mirage Outback kayak has an overall capacity of 400 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 12 feet and 1 inch but does not lose anything in the way of stability. The balance between stability and maneuverability is good, in our opinion.
Coming in at 91.3 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.
Sit-On-Top Kayaks
Sit On Top Kayaks offer great stability and are easy to paddle for everyone including novices, right through to expert paddlers. In addition, these types of kayak can be used mainly on calm waters, but some models allow for rougher terrains.
This type of kayak is different from other types of a kayak as it does not have a cockpit and the hull has self-bailing drain holes.
The hull of sit on top kayaks has a double wall to trap air inside of the hull making them impossible to sink. It is not difficult to get on and off these kayaks, making them perfect for beginners.
At around 15ft, sit on top kayaks are very stable although they should only really be used in calm water.
Design
Whilst the Hobie Mirage Outback is around two-thirds of the price of the Pro Angler, it still comes in at a price significantly higher than a lot of. It puts this kayak out of reach for the average angler and we can only see experienced 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.
The superior stability also adds to the price tag, after all, there is no price that can be out on safety and confidence. We would expect to pay a good price for a kayak that has as good as seating as this does, using the Vantage CT.
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.
Although it can be difficult to get used to, the drive system does ease the pressure off your joints and it leaves you with more energy to focus on getting active with your fishing.
We were also impressed by the 8-inch hatch that is just in front of the seat which is mounted with the deck and will not catch your legs when getting that all important big catch.
We can’t help but think that if they have been this creative with some of the design aspects, why id the rest of the outfitting so sparse?
We are guessing that there is some demand for a cleaner looking kayak and that someone may be you.
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 91.3 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. It is a lot lighter and a lot cheaper than the Mirage Pro, if you had your eyes set on that model but cannot afford it.
Features
In terms of the outfit, there are molded trays on the gunwales and molded rod holder, but other than that there is not a lot to shout about. However, the kayak does have Hobie, 2 piece shaft, Eruo-blade, paddles, and foot braces that have been molded, if you do not want to use the drive system.
There is also a unique rudder system that uses the hand rather than your feet to move the lever. A good sized hatch is ideal for dry storage and another in the stern also comes in handy if you have a bait bucket and cool bag. While these features are very good, we would have liked to have seen more, especially a safe place for kayak fish finders and any other electronic devices.
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.
This is a very refreshing feeling as 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.
Summary
The weight of this kayak is definitely an issue for us as you would need a trailer to move it about, which is not always convenient. This would be an added expense when you have already forked out a good price for the kayak.
There are kayaks on the market that are a lot cheaper and offer up a similar experience, so the question is do you see something that stands out with this model that would warrant the extra cost?
That said, once you have put in the time to adjust the cockpit as you would like it and have gotten used to the drive, it is a very productive kayak and you should have no problems catching much fish in this.
Overall, this is a very attractive kayak that does the job in 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.
