June 24, 2022
By Jeff Weakley
The simplicity of the Hobie Mirage Drive system has revolutionized the paddle craft industry for its ease of use and effectiveness. Ideal Application: A true all-around platform suitable for every type of fishing and all waters, though rough seas can wash water over the bow. Fast, stable, easy to pedal and paddle, this is a maneuverable and highly versatile fishing platform, with a decently manageable overall weight. An ideal multi-species tournament machine with every conceivable feature pre-installed.
Custom mods? Hobie's already taken care of just about anything you could imagine, on the latest incarnation of the popular Mirage Outback. Overview: The Swiss Army knife of kayaks, the Outback is masterfully equipped. If you want a rig that can handle it all and is ready to go right off the showroom floor – this is your kayak. An extremely well thought out interior provides a place for everything – and organizes everything in its place. The cockpit offers comprehensive, built-in storage with H-Track Deluxe organizers with integrated RAM Hand Tracks, complete with hookless map pockets and multiple slots for knife, grippers and hook outs, and even retractable bungees to secure 3600-sized boxes horizontally. Each side also has dedicated retractable bungee cords to secure your most used items like pliers or snippers. Molded in utility trays beside the seat catch any other stray items.
A decently sized bow hatch up front can take dry bags, battery holders and spare clothes. A water-tight, rectangular hatch in front of the seat is ideal for terminal tackle, leader material, and storage of soft plastics and other lures, and the twist-and-seal lid has an internal bottle opener and rubber mesh packet for smaller items. The rear tank well has H-Track Deluxe organizers with elastic retainers and storage slots galore, plus retractable bungees to capture additional 3600-sized tackle boxes. An adjustable primary rear bungee can secure a storage cart and tackle crate. Dual cup holders and four molded-in rod holders, two each in front of and behind the seat, round out the abundant storage appointments.
Featuring the Kick-Up Rudder system with dual steering capabilities, combating drift and navigating tight water has never been easier. Notable: Powered by the super-smooth and length-adjustable Mirage Drive 180, a pull of a lever allows quick switching between forward and reverse. Copious speed and current-fighting power is generated by the drives Turbo Kick-Up Fins, which not only fold flat to the hull for navigating skinny water without need to remove the drive, but also swing back when impacted by obstructions, instantly re-engaging as pedaling is resumed. The famous Vantage CTW seat is now 1 1/2-inches wider and features easy, four-way adjustment for superior comfort. EVA floor pads allow for sure footing in a kayak that's easy to stand and sight fish in. While pricey at $3,150 – it has every interior storage and mounting feature you could think of or need, along with the proven Mirage Drive.
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Length: 12' 9” Width: 34” Weight: 103 lbs. fully rigged, 85 lbs. fitted hull weight Overall Capacity: 425 lbs. Seat Capacity: 275 lbs. Propulsion: Pedal or Paddle www.hobie.com
The ability to utilize every facet of the kayaks versatility is what separates the good from the great models, maximizing storage potential for necessary gear is crucial for the ultimate ride and the Outback shines in this regard. Adding bungee storage behind the driver offers more options for gear and a transom grab handle makes the trip to the water from your truck less troublesome. The Famous Vantage CTW seat offers extra wide adjustable comfort setting to make a long day paddling much more painless. A retractable transducer starts to make sense when you paddle into inches of water. The Hobie H-Track Deluxe Organizer system with integrated RAM hand tracks offers storage options for everything from charts to tackle and cell phones. This water-tight hatch offers the ideal location to store terminal tackle items along with miscellaneous hardware that you need immediate access to. An all new bow shape for 2022 provides a sharper entry at the stem to soften the ride in chop while keeping you dry paddling directly into the chop. A removable seat offers the ability to take your comfortable paddling position ashore should you require a break from paddling. A break from the paddling is made more enjoyable by carrying the removable seat ashore for a relaxing intermission from the fishing action. The Mirage Turbo Kick-Up Fins fold flat against the hull for navigating the skinniest of shoals. Between the comfortable seating configuration and the multiple storage options for gear you’d be hard pressed to find a better all in one skinny water platform. The Mirage Outback offers stability that is ideally suited for stand-up sight casting while maintain your balance. Be sure to pick up a copy of Kayak Fishing Fun magazine available on newsstands now.
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