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Kayak bass fishing: Hobie Outback

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When it comes to catching lots of big bass from a small, personal watercraft, Hobie has nailed both fishability and convenience.
When it comes to catching lots of big bass from a small, personal watercraft, Hobie has nailed both fishability and convenience.
Engineered to the hilt, the Hobie Mirage Outback is just the kayak for those hard-to-access, bass-rich waters.
Engineered to the hilt, the Hobie Mirage Outback is just the kayak for those hard-to-access, bass-rich waters.
Easy to launch, easy to drive, easy to fish from: Here's an inside detailed look at the Outback.
Easy to launch, easy to drive, easy to fish from: Here’s an inside detailed look at the Outback.
The single-angler boat is 12 feet, 1-inch long and has a maxim capacity of 400 pounds. Fully loaded, the rig weighs 99 pounds. A small footprint for big-bass potential.
The single-angler boat is 12 feet, 1-inch long and has a maxim capacity of 400 pounds. Fully loaded, the rig weighs 99 pounds. A small footprint for big-bass potential.
<a href=http://www.hobiefishing.com/mirage/mirage-outback/ target=
The Hobie Mirage Outback
MSRP: $2,349.00
Beginning at the rear, the rudder conveniently stows during transit or storage.
Beginning at the rear, the rudder conveniently stows during transit or storage.
There is a storage port at the stern that would be good for rain gear, extra tackle or whatever else you feel you might need.
There is a storage port at the stern that would be good for rain gear, extra tackle or whatever else you feel you might need.
The lid opens easily, and is even accessible while on the water.
The lid opens easily, and is even accessible while on the water.
This section of the kayak was built for add-ons, such as a crate, cooler, tackle boxes and rod holders. It is completely customizable to your personal preferences and fishing style.
This section of the kayak was built for add-ons, such as a crate, cooler, tackle boxes and rod holders. It is completely customizable to your personal preferences and fishing style.
Plugged rod holders are easily accessible on either side, just rear of the seat.
Plugged rod holders are easily accessible on either side, just rear of the seat.
Ports for aftermarket add-ons are positioned behind the chair, and provide a place for a set of wheels that fit in from the underside and are used for dragging the 'yak to the lake.
Ports for aftermarket add-ons are positioned behind the chair, and provide a place for a set of wheels that fit in from the underside and are used for dragging the ‘yak to the lake.
Long bins run along wither side of the kayak within arm's reach of the angler. The slots are handy for loose lure storage, or other accessories that are regularly needed.
Long bins run along wither side of the kayak within arm’s reach of the angler. The slots are handy for loose lure storage, or other accessories that are regularly needed.
Straps and a molded shelf are designed to perfectly hold the paddle when not in use.
Straps and a molded shelf are designed to perfectly hold the paddle when not in use.
As you move forward in the boat, you'll find cup holders and more storage slots for whatever gear you'll likely need. The cockpit of the kayak is comfortable and conveniently laid out with fishermen in mind.
As you move forward in the boat, you’ll find cup holders and more storage slots for whatever gear you’ll likely need. The cockpit of the kayak is comfortable and conveniently laid out with fishermen in mind.
The rudder control simply dictates direction by turn of the handle. Easy to run and highly maneuverable.
The rudder control simply dictates direction by turn of the handle. Easy to run and highly maneuverable.
Near the front of the cockpit is another accessory port and rod holder. Those who choose to install electronics on their kayaks typically run the wiring through the port in the right-hand side of this image to mount the unit on the side of the boat.
Near the front of the cockpit is another accessory port and rod holder. Those who choose to install electronics on their kayaks typically run the wiring through the port in the right-hand side of this image to mount the unit on the side of the boat.
Netted storage bins on either side of the seat offer secure storage for any loose items without hooks.
Netted storage bins on either side of the seat offer secure storage for any loose items without hooks.
The seat is the most engineered component to the rig. It's highly adjustable and very comfortable making a long day on the pond a manageable event.
The seat is the most engineered component to the rig. It’s highly adjustable and very comfortable making a long day on the pond a manageable event.
The back of the seat is secured to the kayak by a easy-to-release clip.
The back of the seat is secured to the kayak by a easy-to-release clip.
Unsnap it and the seat comes right out. This is super handy if you decide to thoroughly clean out the kayak or even remove it for a stand-up trip.
Unsnap it and the seat comes right out. This is super handy if you decide to thoroughly clean out the kayak or even remove it for a stand-up trip.
During the off season, if there is an off season, the chair makes a fine football stadium seat in your living room. Again, it's easy to use and very comfortable.
During the off season, if there is an off season, the chair makes a fine football stadium seat in your living room. Again, it’s easy to use and very comfortable.
This clip is used for adjusting the chair position.
This clip is used for adjusting the chair position.
By opening the lever, the user can adjust how the seat supports their back, or how forward or relaxed it's positioned.
By opening the lever, the user can adjust how the seat supports their back, or how forward or relaxed it’s positioned.
Once the clip is opened, the stretchable cords on the side of the chair allow it to move back and forth.
Once the clip is opened, the stretchable cords on the side of the chair allow it to move back and forth.
The kickstand cord releases or stows a pair of kickstands in the back of the seat that are meant to raise the back of the chair up.
The kickstand cord releases or stows a pair of kickstands in the back of the seat that are meant to raise the back of the chair up.
In this picture you can see the two kickstands at the top of the chair. Those increase the versatility of comfort that comes standard with the Hobie kayak chair.
In this picture you can see the two kickstands at the top of the chair. Those increase the versatility of comfort that comes standard with the Hobie kayak chair.
The channel on the chair near the top of this picture latches onto the bar that runs across the bottom of the boat. As you can see the bar is also adjustable up and down.
The channel on the chair near the top of this picture latches onto the bar that runs across the bottom of the boat. As you can see the bar is also adjustable up and down.
By pulling this latch out, the bar can be moved a few inches higher to accommodate your comfort.
By pulling this latch out, the bar can be moved a few inches higher to accommodate your comfort.
Here you can see how the seat fits onto the level bar.
Here you can see how the seat fits onto the level bar.
If those adjustments still keep you too low for your style of fishing, you can use the stowable legs that are underneath the seat. This will get you up higher a few more inches.
If those adjustments still keep you too low for your style of fishing, you can use the stowable legs that are underneath the seat. This will get you up higher a few more inches.
It really is an extremely comfortable seat. Big or small, you'll find a setting that allows you to sit comfortably for hours.
It really is an extremely comfortable seat. Big or small, you’ll find a setting that allows you to sit comfortably for hours.
Straight forward of the seat is another storage compartment.
Straight forward of the seat is another storage compartment.
Under the lid you'll find a small tray for tackle or whatever you may need.
Under the lid you’ll find a small tray for tackle or whatever you may need.
It's easily removable allowing the boater to fill it up with the necessary tackle from the garage, or tackle room.
It’s easily removable allowing the boater to fill it up with the necessary tackle from the garage, or tackle room.
Another well thought out storage device that keeps must-haves within arm's reach.
Another well thought out storage device that keeps must-haves within arm’s reach.
There's even added space beneath the small tackle tray. A good spot for extra tackle trays, jacket, sunglasses, you name it! There's plenty of room.
There’s even added space beneath the small tackle tray. A good spot for extra tackle trays, jacket, sunglasses, you name it! There’s plenty of room.
Probably one of the coolest components to the Hobie Kayak line is the rudder deploy and stow cords. Here you pull the cord to drop down the rudder.
Probably one of the coolest components to the Hobie Kayak line is the rudder deploy and stow cords. Here you pull the cord to drop down the rudder.
Once you launch the kayak, drop the rudder down and begin steering. Keep it up when in ultra-shallow water or when storing the boat.
Once you launch the kayak, drop the rudder down and begin steering. Keep it up when in ultra-shallow water or when storing the boat.
Here the rudder is nearly deployed. If it were in the water, it would be straight up and down. When using the hands-free Mirage drive system, which we'll discuss in a few more slides, a rudder is essential to accurately and effectively steer your boat. You can take a paddle along with you, and that can be a great way to steer a kayak, but it's just one more thing in the boat. This drive system makes it a snap to navigate your 'yak.
Here the rudder is nearly deployed. If it were in the water, it would be straight up and down. When using the hands-free Mirage drive system, which we’ll discuss in a few more slides, a rudder is essential to accurately and effectively steer your boat. You can take a paddle along with you, and that can be a great way to steer a kayak, but it’s just one more thing in the boat. This drive system makes it a snap to navigate your ‘yak.
To stow the rudder, just pull this cord and it'll be placed into the stored position.
To stow the rudder, just pull this cord and it’ll be placed into the stored position.
The rudder on the way into the stowed position.
The rudder on the way into the stowed position.
Almost there ....
Almost there ….
Done. This is a very cool aspect to the boat. They literally thought of everything.
Done. This is a very cool aspect to the boat. They literally thought of everything.
The highly engineered Hobie Mirage drive system is simply amazing. The concept was born out of observing how penguins use their flippers to swim. By pushing the pedals back and forth you can quickly jump from spot to spot, and silently!
The highly engineered Hobie Mirage drive system is simply amazing. The concept was born out of observing how penguins use their flippers to swim. By pushing the pedals back and forth you can quickly jump from spot to spot, and silently!
The Mirage Drive snaps into this bracket in the bottom of the boat.
The Mirage Drive snaps into this bracket in the bottom of the boat.
Versatility is the key to Hobie's designs. If you'd rather paddle, you can insert the included plug and paddle away.
Versatility is the key to Hobie’s designs. If you’d rather paddle, you can insert the included plug and paddle away.
It slides right in and removes easily from the same port and bracket that the Mirage Drive does.
It slides right in and removes easily from the same port and bracket that the Mirage Drive does.
The bow of the boat is another storage compartment.
The bow of the boat is another storage compartment.
It lashes shut with a stretchy nylon cord.
It lashes shut with a stretchy nylon cord.
Room for whatever. Literally.
Room for whatever. Literally.
The bottom of the boat is worth looking at.
The bottom of the boat is worth looking at.
The boat comes standard with a Lowrance Ready transducer mount. Beneath the plate is a mounting device for holding a fishfinder puck. It isn't sealed off so the transducer can accurately read water temps.
The boat comes standard with a Lowrance Ready transducer mount. Beneath the plate is a mounting device for holding a fishfinder puck. It isn’t sealed off so the transducer can accurately read water temps.
Here's a look at how far the Mirage Drive extends out beneath the boat.
Here’s a look at how far the Mirage Drive extends out beneath the boat.
When in very skinny water, you can completely separate the pedals and gently flutter your feet. The Mirage Drive fins spread out completely and will move the boat with this technique.
When in very skinny water, you can completely separate the pedals and gently flutter your feet. The Mirage Drive fins spread out completely and will move the boat with this technique.
This is one sweet ride!
This is one sweet ride!

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