How to Choose the Right Hobie Fishing Kayak

Choosing the perfect Hobie fishing kayak can be an exciting but also confusing time for many prospective buyers.

This comprehensive guide is dedicated to helping you navigate the Hobie kayak range, ensuring that you find not just a good kayak, but the right one for your specific needs, preferences, and budget.

Whether you’re a Hobie veteran or new to the sport of kayak angling, this guide will get you a step closer to finding your perfect kayak. Let’s dive in!

Setting a budget

One of the biggest factors to consider when deciding which Hobie fishing kayak is best for you is your budget. Hobie fishing kayaks range in price significantly from the entry-level Passport 10.5 to the top-of-the-range Pro Angler 14 with 360 drive, with many options in between. 

As the models increase in price, so too typically does their size and list of standard features. It’s important to remember that a more expensive kayak doesn’t mean more fish or more fun. Find a kayak that suits your needs and budget by checking out our Hobie Fishing Kayak Buyer’s Guide.

Where features aren’t available as standard they can often be added as an optional upgrade, either at the time of purchase or later down the line. However, some kayak features like Hobie’s revolutionary 360 pedal drive are only available for specific models. 

No matter which kayak you choose, you will likely need to allocate at least some of your budget to kayak accessories, particularly if fishing is your goal. Whether it’s a cart to get the kayak to and from the water, a rod holder or a storage upgrade, accessorising your kayak is the best way to personalise it to your specific user needs.

Step one is to determine what type of waters you will do the majority of your fishing in. A kayak for offshore work will necessitate a different design from a kayak intended for sight fishing in rivers and estuaries. 

For example, the Lynx is an amazing platform for chasing bass or fly fishing, whereas the Revolution 13 is a pure-bred offshore fishing kayak. 

Step two is to think about the species of fish you’re chasing and the type of fishing that requires. Will you want or need to bring along a lot of gear? Will you need good standing stability? Will you prefer manoeuvrability or is covering distance more important? 

Step three is to think about how you like to fish. Are you often travelling with your kayak? Are you fishing recreationally or looking to enter tournaments? Are you looking for a single or a tandem?

For example, a tournament angler will often prefer the storage, carrying capacity and speed of kayaks like the Pro Angler and Outback, whereas someone who likes to explore and fish new waterways might prefer the lightweight versatility of a Compass.

Length

A key rule to remember when choosing a kayak is that longer waterlines equal higher cruising speeds. No matter how fast you pedal a Passport 10.5, it has no chance of keeping up with the longer models in Hobie’s lineup. So if speed or covering distance is important, a longer kayak should be on your wish list.

A kayak’s length also plays a big part in how it handles swell and chop. A longer length will help to minimise hobby-horsing, which can greatly reduce water taken over the bow, keeping the kayak, its user and their gear dryer.

It goes without saying, but a longer kayak will also typically be more comfortable for taller users. It will also increase the carrying capacity and can positively contribute to stability. In general, more length is better, until it comes time to transport and store your kayak. More on that below.

Beam

The beam or width of the kayak hull is key for determining stability, especially for standing use. As a general rule, the wider the kayak is in the area you will be standing, the more stable it will be. 

An example of this beam-to-stability rule can be found by comparing the Compass and Outback models. Despite both carrying the same maximum beam, the Outback carries its beam further forward into the cockpit, making it much more stable than the Compass for standing use.

A common misconception is that a wider kayak will be slower. This is only true if the beam is disproportionate to the kayak’s length, something Hobie’s designers have successfully avoided. There’s no better evidence for this than the Pro Angler 14. As the widest kayak in the Hobie lineup, the PA 14 is still among the fastest thanks to its long waterline.

As with length, a kayak’s beam can also create a more comfortable cockpit for larger users. Beam also greatly increases carrying capacity (especially in the rear) for those that like to bring a lot of gear.

Weight

A kayak’s weight might be the most crucial size factor of them all. In general, Hobie’s kayaks offer excellent size-to-weight ratios. However, as the length and beam increase, inevitably so too does the weight.

A kayak’s weight and even the additional weight of the user and gear will have minimal impact on its performance as long as it is trimmed properly (dragging the back end will slow you down). The biggest impact of weight is how you transport your kayak.

The larger kayaks in Hobie’s lineup will require significantly more effort and time to load and unload from your car or trailer. Depending on your physical ability, you may require a helping hand for the loading and unloading process.

Consider how you will transport your kayak. Will you car-top and is your vehicle suitable for the kayak you’re looking at? Have a good think about how weight impacts ease of use too. I can tell you from experience as an owner of both a Pro Angler 14 and a Lynx, that a lighter easier to transport kayak will get used far more often. 

• Good for open-water fishing where reverse propulsion is rarely needed
• Kick-up fin technology. Be careful if you’re buying older stock or second-hand as they haven’t always had this tech.
• The most cost-effective MirageDrive
• Upgradable to Turbo fins
• Upgradable to MirageDrive 180

The MirageDrive GT with kick-up fins comes standard on all current model Mirage Passport 10.5, Mirage Passport 12, Mirage iTrek 9 Ultralight, Mirage iTrek 11, Mirage iTrek 14 Duo and Mirage Fiesta kayaks.

• As a more complex drive, it will require more maintenance than the MD-GT but still far less than an MD-360 drive.
• Versatile for use in both open and confined waterways
• Kick-up fin technology. Be careful if you’re buying older stock or second-hand as they haven’t always had this tech.
• Upgradable to Turbo fins

The MirageDrive 180 with kick-up fins comes standard on all current model Mirage Outback, Mirage Lynx, Mirage Compass, Mirage Compass Duo, Mirage Revolution 11, Mirage Revolution 13, Mirage Oasis, Mirage Pro Angler 12 and Mirage Pro Angler 14 kayaks.

• Unparalleled maneuverability
• Kick-up fin technology with Turbo Fins as standard
• Hobie’s most complex pedal drive. Will require significantly more maintenance and cleaning. MD-360s are also more difficult and thus more expensive to service and repair.
• Most useful for enclosed waterways. Not advised if you’re primarily fishing open waters.

The Hobie MirageDrive 360 is available exclusively on the Mirage Pro Angler 12 – 360 and Mirage Pro Angler 14 – 360 fishing kayaks.

Rotomolded Polyethylene

Rotomolded Polyethylene is the most common construction method for Hobie kayaks. It involves the use of high-density polyethylene plastic, which is heated until it becomes a liquid. This is then poured into a mould and rotated at high speed until the inside is fully coated. Once it cools, it hardens into a very durable one-piece shell that’s immediately ready to be outfitted and launched into the water.

• Single-piece construction means no joins to worry about
• Durable and impact-resistant thanks to Polyethylene’s flexibility
• Proven longevity
• Relatively easy to repair, modify and add accessories
• Heavier than other construction methods

ACE-TEC Construction

ACE-TEC is an ultra-lightweight construction method used to build the Hobie Lynx fishing kayak. Similar to surf-board construction, ACE-TEC features a watertight EPS foam core encased in layers of fibreglass with a Thermoformed plastic skin and EVA foam deck pad for comfort. The foam core provides buoyancy, while the surrounding materials provide strength, stiffness, and damage resistance.

• Lightest of all hard shell construction methods
• Excellent rigidity and buoyancy
• Easier to scratch and harder to repair than rotomolded kayaks
• No internal storage space
• More expensive to manufacture and purchase