Cobia

Cobia Description: Cobia are hard fighting, heavy fish that never seem to give up the battle even after they're boated. Average size of this fish seems to be over 25 lbs with 35-40 lbs not uncommon. Brown to black colored with no teeth, short spikes on their backs and plenty of "BIG FISH" attitude. Cobia are often mistaken by anglers for sharks and can be seen freely swimming near the surface near floatsome or structure. For the most part cobia are dark brown but can have some color fluctuation due to genetics or habitat.

Where Cobia Are Found: Both INSHORE and NEARSHORE inhabiting inlets, bays, and among mangroves; frequently seen around bouys, pilings, and wrecks. During the spring and fall migrations they can often be seen free swimming along the coastline.
We often find cobia swimming near the surface near floating sargassum seaweed or floatsome. Prior to the 1980's cobia would frequent navigation aids but this has become less of a habit due to angling pressure.
One of the preferred ways to catch cobia consistantly is to simply bottom fish near wrecks and structure. Cobia respond well to live bait and find comfort and food source near large bottom structure.
As a note you should always look around large marinelife for swimming cobia. Large sharks, manta rays, whales and turtles can often hold cobia that relate to them as traveling companions or hitchhikers.

Florida Record Cobia: 103 lbs., 12 ozs.

Remarks: spawns in spring and early summer; feeds on crabs, squid, and small fish. Target this fish in early spring or late winter (feb-april). Cobia are often seasonal so make you reservations during this time of year.

Cobia Fishing Information & Photos

• Port Canaveral Cobia
• Family Cobia Fishing
• Cobia with Manta Rays
• Offshore Cobia
• Schooling Cobia Offshore
• Site Fishing Cobia
• Captain Gina's Largest Cobia

Florida Cobia Regulations: Minimum size 33" to fork 1 per harvester or 6 per vessel per day, whichever is less.