News

Hobie making waves in the kayak bass fishing game, again

The new Hobie MirageDrive 360 has completely changed the game of kayak pedal drives

Another year has passed and we’re all watching for the iCast product announcements, and it starts with a bang! Hobie showcases its new MirageDrive 360. Immediately we are left with wondering if the climax has already been hit. Hobie completely eradicated what little shortcomings it had.

A brief look at Hobie’s MirageDrive history

Hobie was the first to market with a pedal drive system with its then patented drive fins, which still to this day amaze folks that it propels you through the water. The drive was a forward only, push-pedal system with similar characteristics of a stair stepper while in a seated position. Rigged fins being pushed through the water would propel the Hobie crafts with ease.

The next release was the Turbo fins, which where larger and gave a boost to the kayak’s speed, especially beneficial for the larger and heavier Pro Angler line of kayaks. Having the ability to upgrade your drive with these new flappers brought a lot of excitement to Hobie enthusiasts, also considered cult like by some fellow kayakers. The only issue Hobie and the Hobie kayakers have had was the rigid materials needed for the fins to function, were also a fail point when navigating around underwater obstacles. Broken fins were common amongst go hard or go home anglers who were undeterred by structure risk vs reward.

Last year, the release of the MirageDrive 180 was thought to be “Game Changing”. Although it was a great accomplishment, it wasn’t as ground breaking as some would have hoped. Although the release caused a lot of happiness for Hobie owners tired of grabbing the little paddle every time they got in a precarious position. Now they could pull a tab and back on out with ease.

Speaking as a bicycle style pedal drive kayak owner, they didn’t completely have my admiration, although it was an impressive upgrade. Instant hands free reverse when fishing a big bass from a lay down tree is probably the most advantageous feature of any pedal drive kayak. The Hobie’s abilities as a fishing machine are not to be understated. It is a purpose build workhorse. For me, it still had some limitations I couldn’t get over, until possibly, now.

The new Hobie MirageDrive 360

Announced and immediately sending shockwaves through the kayak fishing community was Hobie’s release of the MirageDrive 360. Featuring “full circle navigation” that has never been seen before in a kayak, maybe ever unless you have fished from an inner tube, all the rage in the 90’s.

With this feature, Hobie could have kicked off the new product and taken the market by storm. However, they had one more feature they snuck in - “Kick-Up Fins”. Say whaaaaaat? Yes.. you heard correctly, the only other Hobie negative, has been addressed at the same time making this one of the most comprehensive, get the bugs out, no excuses, let’s end the arguments once and for all, product release.

If you think I’m off base, well take a peak for yourself at Hobie’s video below, when you get your jaw off the floor, feel free to leave your thoughts on it!

And the catch…

Of course we want our cake and want to eat it too, but your cake isn’t going to fit in your 2019 or earlier Hobie kayak. So in order to indulge in the miracle that is the Hobie MirageDrive 360, you’re going to have to purchase an entirely new 2020 Pro Angler 12 or 14 360 Series that is only available in the near term in Arctic Blue Camo.

As of this writing I don’t have the MSRP for this new machine, but I’m sure this new breakthrough in kayak pedal drive technology is going to cost you a few more dollars than previous models.

Although Hobie has always had the best resale value in the industry, one also wonders if this is going to hurt 2019 and earlier used kayak values? The introduction of the MirageDrive 180 had a slight impact which leads me to assume that this new setup, which won’t retro-fit onto older models will have an even larger impact.