THE ONE
Hobie’s newkayak
expands on itshands-
freefishingpromise
Photograph by
Sergiy Barchuk
Other than patience,
the key to fishing is
precision—nailing
th e angle, position,
and stealth required
to not scare offyour
prey. Hobie Cat
Co.’s MirageDrive
technology, a foot-
powered propulsion
system for kayaks
that cameout in
1997 , was a much
welcomedtool
for thispursuit,
allowingan angler
tomaneuver while
keeping a grip on
his rod. But it only
allowed forward and
backward motion.
The MirageDrive
360 system solves
thatproblem.
Making itsdebut
in September on
Hobie’s 12- and
14-foot Pro Angler
kayaks, it offers
left- and right-turn
capability to further
integrate man
andmachine.
THE COMPETITION- The 34-inch-wide
pedal-propelled
Native Watercraft
Slayer Propel 10
($2,200),with its
sturdystanding
platform, is great
for casting. At a
mere 81 pounds
fully rigged, it’s easy
to transportyet
still able to handle
400 pounds.
THE CASE
There are cheaper
pedal kayaks on
the market, but
noneboastthe
mobility of the
Mirage Pro Angler- Thepatented
drive system is
simple to use, with
a hand-operated
knob,givingusers
fullmovement—
forward,backward,
and sidetosi de.
(Doingdoughnuts
is especially
encouraged.) Hobie
has alsointroduced
retractableki ck-
upfins, allowing
you to charge
over underwater
obstacles without
fear of damage. And
with a 600-pound
carrying capacity,
there’s not many
creaturesfromthe
deep that could
sinkit .From$4, 650;
hobie.com
- Comfort reigns
on the $1, 800
Perception Pescador
Pilot 12.0, which
has adjustable-seat
and gear systems,
tension knobs, and
a sharp-looking
modern design that
allows for ample
cargo space with
four molded-in
rod holders. - Stretching just
over 1 3 feetand
featuring a rotational
pedal drive, the
$2,500 Old Town
Pr edator PDL allows
backwardand
forward mobility and
comes armed witha
cool knob-controlled
rudder. It does weigh
in at 117 pounds, so
it may notbe the
easiest boat to carry.
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