What's New With The 2025 Hobie Pro Angler Kayaks?
Hobie Pro Angler Kayaks have always been the pinnacle of fishing kayaks, setting the standard for what anglers want and need on the water. Pro Anglers have transformed how anglers fish, offering two different pedal propulsion systems from the PA12 and PA14 with the MirageDrive 180 to the PA12 and PA14 with the revolutionary MirageDrive 360XR.
Over the years, the kayak fishing landscape has evolved drastically due to technological advancements, including electronics, anchoring, kayak motors, batteries, and rigging capabilities. Hobie has always dedicated its design work to accommodating the angler, and the Pro Angler Kayaks will continue to do just that. For 2025, Hobie has implemented necessary improvements and innovation into the Pro Angler lineup. Let's dive into the latest upgrades that all Pro Angler Kayaks received for 2025.
Bow/Stern Inserts
More and more anglers are looking to enhance the performance of their kayaks, and this enhancement comes in many forms, whether it's a kayak motor, a Power-Pole Micro Anchor, or both. The 2025 Hobie Pro Angler Kayaks include molded inserts on both the bow and stern. These molded-in inserts provide quick and easy installation as they are pre-drilled to accept various mounts.
The molded inserts along the bow will accommodate a quick-release bracket for a bow-mounted trolling motor. When the motor is deployed, you will have full access to the front hatch, and while the motor is off the kayak, you will still have full access to the front bow handle for ease of use when transporting.
Looking at the stern, you will find a flat, reinforced surface that houses three sets of inserts, accommodating two Micro Anchors and one stern-mounted motor. This surface structure will not only securely house your Micro Anchors and motor but does so without disrupting the overall balance of the Pro Angler.
H-Plates
The Hobie H-Plates are specialized mounting plates designed to facilitate the installation of electronic devices from fish finders, motors, or anchors. Running wires and rigging your kayak has never been more accessible on the Pro Angler. There are five H-Plates located in the Pro Angler 12 and Pro Angler 14 360XR kayaks: (1) stern, (2) behind the seat, and (2) bow. The Pro Angler 12 and Pro Angler 12 360XR include (3) H-Plates and (2) additional 3-way thru-hole plugs. The H-Plate design allows you to drill into the plate directly to accommodate the wire size of your device, providing easy access to run wires throughout the kayak. Additionally, H-Plates will be available to purchase separately to add or replace existing plates on your kayak.
Under-Seat Battery Storage
Understanding that everyone has their own rigging style and preferences, you will find an additional under-seat battery storage option in 2025 Pro Anglers. The flattened battery storage area utilizes grip pads and straps to house your battery securely. The under-seat storage option provides anglers with quick and easy access to their battery, making this an excellent choice for an accessory battery or for fast and easy hookup and installation when you're on the move.
Reinforced 8-inch Rear Hatch
With the addition of electronics, motors, anchors, etc., Hobie wants to ensure the overall structure and balance of the kayak are not affected. By reinforcing the rear tank well of the kayak, more specifically, the 8-inch rear hatch ensures durability and dry storage in the rear of the kayak. Whether the tank well houses a livewell, fishing crate or houses your batteries, rest assured that this area of the kayak is reinforced for maximum usage.
Improved Rod Holder
While continuing with structural improvements, the forward rod holders were re-tooled during manufacturing. This process has now structurally reinforced the rod holders and the overall kayak, allowing for the additional weight experienced when adding bow or stern motors and anchors. This improvement adds balance when adding accessories and improves your ability to stand, fish, and move freely throughout the kayak.
Hobie Powerwall
For Forward-Facing sonar enthusiasts, all Pro Anglers will include the Hobie Powerwall. The Powerwall is a mounting plate that clips onto the kayak's mast base in the front hatch. This plate is specifically designed to accommodate your Forward-Facing Sonar module or a distribution hub for your electronics. With Forward-Facing Sonar becoming a staple in many anglers' arsenals, the Hobie Powerwall provides easy rigging and ensures your FFS module is safe and secure to avoid any hazards.
Colors
In 2025, Hobie added two new colorways to accompany the popular Pro Angler lineup. For the Pro Angler 180 kayaks, you'll see Glacier Camo, a combination of Glacier Blue, Dune, and Black. For the Pro Angler 360XR lineup, you'll see OG Camo, a combination of Olive Dune and hints of Black. These colors combine some of the most popular Hobie colors and will catch your eye on the water or in-store!
Conclusion
The 2025 Hobie Pro Angler instills the dedication to being the best fishing kayak on the water. It provides not only the most dynamic and efficient pedal drive systems with both the MirageDrive 180 and MirageDrive 360XR but also the most versatile for your rigging needs. By utilizing customer feedback and thousands of hours of design and determination, the Hobie Pro Angler lineup is the standard for fishing kayaks. In 2025, the Pro Anglers will be the best high-performance fishing kayak on the water. For more information, check out Hobie's full lineup of kayaks.
- Stan Miketa