Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 17T Review

While many anglers have budgetary limitations, which force them to make sacrifices when selecting a kayak, others are fortunate enough to be able to seek out the very best kayak money can buy. And while reasonable minds will disagree about which model is the very best, the Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 17T is clearly one of the top contenders for the title.

The Mirage Pro Angler 17T certainly isn’t a cheap vessel but given the slate of features and innovative design concepts it possesses, it provides great value for your kayaking dollar.

Build Quality

Most Hobie kayaks are very well-built, and the Mirage Pro Angler 17T is no exception. Made from rotomolded polyethylene, this craft measures 17 feet in length and boasts an incredible 43.5-inch beam.

The plastic used in the construction of the craft is rigid, stable and durable to ensure the craft performs well and lasts for many seasons to come. No skid plate is included, however, so care will be necessary when cruising through shallow water.

Storage Capacity

The Mirage Pro Angler 17T provides more storage space than most other vessels do. Three large twist-and-seal hatches are included and are designed to accept plastic storage boxes. One hatch is located in front of each seat and a third is located directly behind the front seat. A large storage hatch is located at the bow and comes with a removable liner so that you can use it to carry ice or fish.

A battery platform is located behind the rear seat, but it can also be used for coolers and other gear. A lengthy H-rail is placed on each side of the craft and is ready to accept your fish finder, GPS, rod holders or other accessories. Two flush-mount rod holders and 10 (!) horizontal rod holders are included as well.

Comfort

The Mirage Pro Angler includes two Vantage XT seats to ensure the comfort of both riders. These seats are adjustable in four different ways and feature mesh backing to keep you cool and dry while cruising around.

Additionally, the Mirage Pro Antler 17T provides three different seat-positioning options: You can mount both seats in standard tandem fashion, you can mount them in “social” fashion (in which the seats face each other) or you can take out one of the seats and mount the remaining seat in the middle of the craft. Additionally, the cockpit is roomy and provides plenty of room for two anglers.

Stability

Measuring more than 43 inches across, the Mirage Pro Angler 17T is one of the most stable kayaks available. It handles large swells and choppy water with ease and allows anglers to sit sideways if they like.

You can also stand up while casting and retrieving, and it is stable enough that you can battle big fish with ease. In fact, Hobie even provides grip pads near each seat, so that standing anglers can enjoy secure footing.

Maneuverability

Like most other high-end Hobie kayaks, the Mirage Pro Angler 17T features the MirageDrive 180 Pedal System. This allows you to put down the paddle and pedal your way around the water. Although the craft’s wide beam causes quite a bit of drag, the pedal drive system offsets this a bit and helps you to achieve fairly high speeds.

It isn’t especially easy to turn this craft around in tight locations, but that’s to be expected of such a large vessel. Front and back handles are provided to help you move the kayak around on dry land, but with a fully rigged weight of nearly 250 pounds, you certainly need help doing so. The included tracking skeg ensures that the Mirage Pro Angler 17T will stay on track when crossing large sections of water.

Summary

Simply put, the Mirage Pro Angler 17T is one of the best kayaks money can buy. It is remarkably stable, packed with storage space and equipped with the MirageDrive 180 Pedal System.

It is ready for your local pond or the open ocean, and it is designed to accept a trolling motor if you’d rather not pedal around. The Mirage Pro Angler 17T is certainly not within the budgets of all anglers, but those who are seeking the best – and willing to pay for it – should definitely give it serious consideration.

Brand	Hobie
Model	Mirage Pro Angler 17T
Price	Check on Amazon
Type	sit-on-top
Color(s)	ivory dune
Length (ft / cm)	17' / 518cm
Width (in / cm)	43.5" / 110cm
Height (in / cm)	N/A
Kayak Weight (lbs / kg)	206.5 lbs / 94kg
Weight Capacity (lbs / kg)	900 lbs / 408kg
Cockpit Size (in / cm)	N/A
Hull Material	Rotomolded Polyethylene
Transducer Compatible	Yes
Number of People	2
Inflatable	No
Salt Water Friendly	Yes
Peddles	Yes
Tracking Enhancement	Rudder
Adjustable Seat	Yes
Rod Holders	12
Adjustable Foot Braces	Yes
Paddles Included	No
Other Included Items	2 Plano Tackle boxes