Mirage® Pro Angler 12

I have had a few sit in and sit on kayaks. I decided I wanted a real fishing kayak. I talked with a friend that has a Hobie peddle drive and I took his 10ft outback out and I liked having my hands free to fish as well as how much propulsion I got for the effort in the Hobie peddle drive kayak. I did a.lot of research and found that the PA 12 was perfect for me. It is awesome. I have fished ponds lakes and the Chesapeake bay as well as the Delaware Bay. It's a super stable platform with lots of extras available. I will have it for a long time to come. I've fished 5 states and have more planned.

I give this kayak 4 stars. This Hobie is a 2019 model. I enjoy fishing from it more than my sit in kayak. It is a very stable boat, one can very easily stand up. The 180 mirage propels the boat very easy. The seat is something that can't be beat. It is very comfortable, there are adjustments for the back, seat and lumbar. There are a few features of this kayak that should be mentioned. There is a small storage area in the rear that is only good for small containers. The weight is around 140 lbs, not something that you could just throw on the top of your car or truck. Overall it was a good purchase.

It's just right for all your stuff

A friend of mine has one of these and let me borrow it last week to go fishing. Absolutely loved it and will be buying one for myself in the near future.

Purchased the 2015 competition version end of 2014. Very technical boat, cannot call it a Kayak. It's solid. Really solid. Its broad beam gives a great sense of stability. Don't be fooled however as I have over-reached and rolled it. It's not really suited to off shore use in rough weather or in the surf or maybe I am just not game. Whatever.

Mine came with the Lowrance 5 Chirp fish finder which is an OK unit, a live bait tank which I have yet to use, stake out pole which is useful for the rivers, drift anchor which is ok,anchor trolley which is invaluable and the tackle boxes which has a great storage set up at your feet.

The most important feature is the Mirage Drive. I had an up market performance version fitted. It's fast. I have had it up to 8kph according to the GPS. And its really effortless at cruising speed. Its greatest advantage is that it leaves your hands free while manoeuvring to cast, un-snare your anchor or just drift and cast under control.
The Vantage seat is also very cool with easy 2 level height adjustment and infinite easily achieved seat and back positioning.

Would I buy this boat again? Maybe. It's very expensive new at around 6k fully kitted with roof racks and other stuff fitted. However there are some great 2nd hand bargains around that I have seen complete with trailers.

Am I sorry I bought it? No way. It's great and I love every minute I am in it. It more than just a fishing platform it an whole of body and mind experience to use. You do need a trailer if your by yourself as its around 55kg fully kitted.
Overall an hopefully unemotional 9/10

Traded in my Hobbie Outback for the roomier heavier Pro Angler. I have mixed feelings about it. Number 1 it is heavy....very heavy. It is sluggish when doing hard fast turns..just doesn't happen.

If you are under six feet tall this kayak is not for you. The seat is spaced too far from the pedals.
The pedal linkage doesn't feel snug. Sometimes the linkage locks on the pedal drive fail to hold the drive shaft. Also, if a large wave or boat wake is coming at you it is sometimes difficult to get the yak to respond in time. I have been swamped three times so far.

It is roomy, the seat is somewhat comfortable and I like the side rails

First off, I own a Mirage Sport, Mirage Outback, and my last purchase the Mirage Pro Angler 12. this to qualify my responce to JBM comments [2012-08-31 post] on the Mirage drive system. Once I figured out the quirks of putting the drive in correctly I have had no problems. This is my fault, didn't read the directions. I have been using a Hobie in the Yatch Harbor & ocean for 3 years, and the drive systems have held out flawlessy. I got out every day for a few hours. So I suppose JBM either works for a competing Kayak Co. or he didn't read the directions like me.

My only suggestions for Hobie concerning the Pro Angler 12 are:

• Seat has no second adjustment for moving seat forward. This means you need to be 6ft tall to get the best comfort for pedaling.
• Near impossible to disconnect paddle behind you. That problem is solved by using the 1/2 ore with adaptor provided & slip it up front.
• No easy access to putting your pole forward of the seat. I build things so it was easy for me to customize my Pro Angler 12.

Even with my suggestions, I give Hobie Mirage systems a solid 10!

Caution mirage drive system is very very fragile and easy to damage