Hobie are continuing to develop their premium Pro Angler model kayaks to ensure they stay front and centre as the latest and greatest kayak fishing platform on the market. Following up on 2024’s 360-XR MirageDrive upgrades comes a swathe of fresh updates and innovations that will be available on all MY2025 Pro Angler models.
Hobie has paid attention to the increasing electrification of fishing kayaks with these Pro Angler updates, including the ability to conveniently add electric motors, manage and distribute power to numerous power-hungry accessories, cleanly route cables, and take advantage of the latest sounder tech.
Below, we dive into the most impactful changes to help you understand what’s new for Hobie Pro Angler in 2025
Electric Motor Mounting Made Easy
The standout change in the 2025 Pro Angler lineup is the built-in ability to mount electric motors at both the bow and stern without the complication or added cost of aftermarket solutions. Threaded inserts allow you to easily install a trolling motor on the bow and/or an electric outboard on the stern, giving you the option to cruise longer distances, troll or hold position with less effort.
To enable this, Hobie has redesigned the stern deck adding 12 threaded inserts on a slightly raised platform that runs the full width of the hull. This caters for the central mounting of an electric outboard while retaining mounting positions on the left or right for a PowerPole Micro Anchor. Theoretically, this enables the mounting of dual PowerPoles if you are so inclined, though I’m not convinced the weight and added complexity are worth the outlay.
Right in front of the mounting plate is one of Hobie’s new H-Plates that can be used to cleanly route your wiring into the hull – more on this in the next section.
Enhanced Electronics Rigging
The 2025 model Pro Anglers are redesigned to make integrating electronics simpler and tidier than ever. Hobie has taken note of the DIY modifications and third-party mounting solutions anglers have been relying on and engineered these improvements directly into the kayak’s design.
Key Upgrades at a Glance:
- Powerwall Distribution Hub: The Powerwall is a mounting plate, similar to the BerleyPro Electronics Mounting Board that will now come standard with all Pro Angler models. Hobie’s built-in “hub” streamlines cable management allowing you to mount your fishfinder or NMEA hubs, power distribution hubs, FPV Batteries or any other surface-mount electronics to keep them out of the bilges, neat and secure.
- Forward-Facing Sonar Compatibility: The Powerwall is also designed to accommodate your Forward-Facing Sonar module, providing easy rigging and ensuring your FFS module is safe and secure.
- H-Plates & Thru-Hull Plugs: To accommodate the growing number of electronics aboard, Hobie has introduced the H-Plate system on all Pro Angler models. Strategically located around the kayak, the H-Plates enable you to drill holes the perfect size to accommodate your wiring needs, without putting permanent holes in the kayak’s hull. Each kayak will also come with two of Hobie’s new ‘3-way thru-hole plugs’ which can replace any of the H-Plates providing easy access to run wires into the hull of the kayak to connect to the Powerwall hub or your battery.
Pro Angler 14 models will come with five H-Plates while the Pro Angler 12 models will come with three. Additional H-Plates will be available to purchase separately to add or replace existing plates on your kayak.
- Under-Seat Battery Mount: Hobie has incorporated a battery mount under the Pro Angler’s seat, complete with grip pads and straps to keep your battery secure. This is a great option to mount a large-capacity battery, which you’ll need if you’re running electric motors over longer distances. While I’m reluctant to give up the under-seat space for my Plano trays, I can see this being a convenient option for significantly increasing onboard power with quick and easy access to the battery.
Images credit: www.fishingonline.com
Structural Reinforcements
In an important but less obvious update, Hobie has also reinforced aspects of the hull to increase strength and durability where it’s needed most. These design tweaks ensure that the Pro Angler kayaks can handle the added loads and strains of electric motors and batteries without sacrificing any of their renowned performance characteristics.
Reinforced Rear Tank Well: Hobie has reinforced the rear tank well of the Pro Angler around the 8-inch rear hatch to improve durability and dry storage in the rear of the kayak. This reinforcement is likely to cover the added weight loading from large-capacity batteries as well as the propulsion strains of a stern-mounted electric outboard and potentially dual PowerPoles.
Reinforced Bow: Hobie has reinforced the Pro Angler bow by structurally reinforcing the forward horizontal rod holders to add extra rigidity to the front of the kayak. This reinforcement ensures the Pro Angler can deal with the added loads and strains of a bow-mounted trolling motor.
Colour Updates
2025 model Pro Angler kayaks will have updated colour options including the return of the original green or ‘OG’ Camo for 360XR models and the new ‘Glacier Camo’ for standard MD-180 drive models. These new colourways join the existing lineup of Dune Camo and Sunrise Camo for the standard PA while the 360XR models see the return of Campfire Camo and Artic Blue Camo. If we’re reading this correctly, the Amazon Green Camo and the Battleship Grey colourways will be discontinued, joining the old Orange Papaya and Ivory Dune colourways that were discontinued in the 2024 update.
Australian Availability
We’re tentatively expecting 2025 model Pro Anglers to start arriving in Australia around May 2025. If you’d like first dibs on the new stock as it arrives let us know and we’ll put you on the waiting list.
MY2024 Pro Anglers: We still have plenty of current-gen Pro Angler and Pro Angler 360 stock available in both 12 and 14-foot variants. There are also still a couple of 2023 models available with significantly reduced prices for those who may not be interested in the latest and greatest but still want all the advantages that the Pro Angler provides
Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12-360 XR
$6,990.00 – $8,590.00 inc GST
Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14-360 XR
$7,890.00 – $8,790.00 inc GST
Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12
$6,390.00 – $7,290.00 inc GST
Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14
$5,990.00 – $7,490.00 inc GST
About the Author
James Kilpatrick founded Hunter Water Sports (HWS) in 2012 and has been its managing director ever since. With over 20 years in the marine and fishing industry and a passion for kayak fishing both recreational and competitive, James is an expert in all things Hobie kayaks.