Cobia

Cobia: Rachycentron canadum

Florida Regulations: 

Gear Requirements:

• Legal Gear: spears, gigs, hook and line, seine, cast net

State Waters Harvest Seasons:   Gulf of Mexico      Atlantic

Habitat and Fishing Tips:

Cobia is a favorite sport fish for many shoreline and off-shore anglers because it is one of the few species that are found throughout Florida’s marine environment. Like many of the pelagic species, cobia are highly mobile but also attracted to buoys, channel markers and other floating objects where they feed on fish, crabs, shrimp and squid. Cobia prefer water temperatures above 68 degrees and migrate to the south in October to avoid cold water temperatures in the northern parts of the state. Anglers often target them visually around buoys, over grass flats and along sandy beaches. This visual targeting, and the subsequent chase, often results in “spooked” cobia that can be difficult to catch. While a hungry and “un-spooked” cobia will take almost anything, live eels, pinfish or blue runners have proven to be irresistible to even the most finicky cobia. A wide range of tackle can be used depending on the location and bait. Spinning or bait-casting tackle with 15 to 30 pound test is commonly used.         

State Record:

130 lb 1 oz, caught near Destin

Florida Rule                                              

Gulf Federal Waters Rules

Atlantic Federal Waters Rules

Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles