Two weeks before Hobie premiered the revamped Pro Angler, I sat down with James McBeath, director of marketing, to get answers to a few pressing questions.
Hobie Drops the 2025 Pro Angler
Question number one: what took so long! McBeath laughs and points to a bunch of pandemic-related hurdles. “We have some catching up to do,” he says.
Next question: why did you make the changes? Hobie’s first priority is to revamp the ultra-popular Pro Angler series to answer customer requests and give the market what it wants. According to Hobie’s research, the market wants motors. So the new PA is ready to accept a trolling motor in the bow and an electric outboard in the stern.
But they didn’t just slap a motor onto a PA and send it out the door. McBeath says their engineers worked on reinforcing the boat for strength and durability. The new models have been tested in the lab and on the water. “If we are going to accommodate motors, the boat must handle the speed and torque,” he says.
Design Updates Beyond Motorization
To complete the motor-readiness, the new Pro Angler has dedicated space for batteries and removable plates to run wires and controls. There are even spaces for dual Power Pole anchor systems. “That’s what people want,” McBeath admits. The design team responded to the most popular rigging trends to eliminate the need for aftermarket mounts and brackets.
In addition to prepping the PA for motor power, the design team also looked at a few critiques of the current PA. For example, they re-engineered the middle hatch and rod holders to prevent leaks.
The new and improved Pro Angler carries on the boat’s tradition as the premier full-feature, full-size tournament-ready fishing kayak. McBeath explains, “It’s the Pro Angler in all its legacy format with strength to accommodate new power systems.”
Last question, what’s next? According to McBeath, the ProAngler remodel is the tip of the iceberg.
“We have great plans for 2026 with new models and more improvements,” McBeath says. We’ll see more of the new Pro Angler as photos and stories trickle out of a big pro-staff event in Florida. And, stand by for a full review of the new Hobie Pro Angler in the next issue of Kayak Angler magazine.
Introducing the motor-ready 2025 Hobie Pro Angler. | Feature photo: Hobie
