Cobia Fishing

Cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

Description: In the water, Cobia look almost like sharks. The usual color is brown or dark gray above, and a white bottom, with a dark stripe running from the gill to the tail. The striped appearance is more vivid in juveniles. There are several sharp finlets on the dorsal surface extended from behind the head to the dorsal fin.

Size: They are common from 20 to 50 pounds; sometimes even reach to be 80 pounds plus. World record is 135 pounds, 9 ounces; The Florida record is 130 pounds, 1 ounce.

Food Value: Excellent

Game Qualities: The Cobia is a very strong and high endurance fish, they usually have long, fast runs. The real fight normally don't start until you land them, that is when they are the most unpredictable. There has been few fisherman that own boats learn this the hard way, after spending hundreds of dollars for boat repairs.

Tackle & Baits: Surf tackle can be considered top notch equipment for pier fishing and it usually gets the job done. If Cobia fishing from a pier your ideal tackle should be stout, Cobia are structure loving fish and being on a pier does not give us the best advantage. They tend to find those pillings but with the right tackle, you can easily avoid a break off.

A Little About Cobia

There are many techniques that can be used when Cobia fishing, Cobia are structure loving fish, so when fishing on a pier you want to place a bait or two near the pilings, see when Cobia pass by they normally will circle pilings, marker etc.. In search for food. When pier fishing it is advised that you chum to get the Cobia to surface or come within casting distance.

There are variety of baits that can be used to seduce a Cobia, there favorite being eels. One of the more popular techniques is a pin fish under a cork, it can be set up with a popping cork or just a regular fixed cork rig. Cobia usually swim in small schools or with a partner. They are often seen tailing rays in the shallows, the reason for this is, as the ray swims they kick up the sand and in the sand usually are different sorts of fish and crabs, another words it is an easy meal for the Cobia. If you do hook a Cobia be sure to have a friend or someone ready with another rod because, there is a good chance for a double hook up. Just remember that Cobia must be 33" to the fork in order to keep, be sure to handle the juvenile Cobia with care so it can mature and be caught again. So get the rods out when the water temperature reaches 72* it's time to start Cobia fishing.