Family Rachycentridae, COBIA
Rachycentron canadum*

Description: long, slim fish with broad depressed head; lower jaw projects past upper jaw; dark lateral stripe extends through eye to tail; first dorsal fin comprised of 7 to 9 free spines; when young, has conspicuous alternating black and white horizontal stripes.*

Fishing Areas:
Inshore and offshore; cobia are migratory fish and shown up in the west central Florida area in the spring. Larger fish tend to come from offshore, but many large fish have come from the inshore Bayport, Chaz area. When they pass through this area they seem to be just about everywhere.

Baits:
Live baits such as whitebait, pin fish works well.

Tackle:
Rod: A shorter heavy class rod.
Reel: A conventional reel with a heavy drag system (Spin gear used for inshore only)
Line: 40# and up mono or 50#+ braid.
Leader: A 60-100# mono or fluorocarbon leader.
Hooks: Circle hooks 5/0 – 10/0 depending on bait size.

Technique:
Cobia tend to hang around structure, like the Tri-pod, rock piles and wrecks. They are not picky or shy, in fact if you bang on the side of the boat the Cobia will come closer to investigate. Pitch out a live bait and and hold on. These fish are very powerful fighters often wearing out the angler before themselves. Be forewarned, do not boat a green fish (one that has not been exhausted) in to your boat. I have seen a cobia break a consoles loose, snap rods and knock tackle boxed overboard. When boating a cobia, you want to have a cooler or storage area open and ready. The fish comes out of the water and in to the cooler, then shut the lid and lock it down, because round two is about to start. Also be very careful handling the fish, between the base of the head and the dorsal fin (a place that looks like a great place to grab the fish), cobia have spines that are not visible until they raise the dorsal fin. The spines are very sharp and could easily cut you.

Always check the fishing regulations as they have changed several times in the last few years.

Cobia Pictures:
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If you have a picture(s) of cobia we would love to post it here. Please email any pictures and a brief story to zippyjr123 at gmail dot com or send contact us using the Contact Form.

* Identification Information From: myFWC