Your Passport to Fishing Fun
Published: Monday, December 16, 2019
The new Mirage Passport 12 by Hobie is a longer, larger, and more fishing-centric Passport than its wildly successful predecessor, the Passport 10.5. Powered by the original MirageDrive® Classic with ST Fins, this highly manageable 12-foot pedal kayak takes kayakers where they want to go with ease and world-class Hobie performance.
“The Passport 12 is an expansion of the simplicity, ease, and versatility we created in the original Passport 10.5,” says Jason Kardas, Director of Engineering Product Management for Hobie.
Features begin with tried and true MirageDrive performance for hands-free propulsion and smooth and efficient cruising through the water. Rudder Control provides intuitive and effortless fingertip steering of the rudder that easily deploys and stows. The additional length supports a host of angling situations, while extra width provides additional stability while both sitting and standing. The boat is H-Bar-ready, with two forward recesses that provide precise placement for simple H-Bar setup.
The Hobie engineering team also built in loads of storage options, including an 8” Twist and Seal Hatch directly in front of the seat, while the bow offers a generous cavity with Bungee® and optional Twist and Seal Hatch for below-deck storage. There are additional recesses with Bungee closures to keep tackle boxes or other items close at hand in front, and two built-in rod caddies keep rods within easy reach just behind the seat.
Accessorizing the new Passport 12 couldn’t be easier. Accessory H-Track Mounts allow for infinite mounting options for your phone, GoPro, or similar items; a forward mount stands ready to accept the Hobie Mirage Sail Kit or Bimini Sunshade; and it’s electronics-ready, with a handy transducer cavity and mounting plate, making it easy for anglers to add their favored sonar/GPS. It even comes equipped with a recessed mounting pad to quickly install a Power-Pole® anchor system.
Easy to transport and store, every Passport 12 comes complete with an aluminum two-piece paddle to negotiate beaches and rocky inlets. Convenient carry handles are provided at the bow and stern.
The new Hobie Mirage Passport 12 can be purchased at Hobie authorized dealers beginning in late November, 2019, at an introductory MSRP of $1,599 (excluding taxes and shipping). Learn more at www.hobie.com/kayaks/mirage-passport-12.
This article first appeared in the Year End Issue (Nov/Dec) 2019 of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.
tags: Canoes & Kayaks, Fishing, Inland Boating
