Fish guide
Cobia
Rachycentron canadum.
Showing the fish for Florida Panhandle, Panama City to Pensacola.
Season in Panhandle
Peak months: Apr.
Destin-area pier calendar: cobia March to May. LSU tagging: spring migration north along the Florida Gulf coast, then west along Alabama. (Our inference)
Season by region
| Myrtle Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
|---|---|
| Long Island | JFMAMJJASOND |
| North Jersey | JFMAMJJASOND |
| South Jersey | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Delmarva | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Virginia Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Outer Banks | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southern NC | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Charleston | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Northeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Space Coast | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Florida Keys | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southwest Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Tampa Bay | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Big Bend | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Panhandle | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Alabama | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Mississippi | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Louisiana | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Upper Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Middle Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Lower Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
Where to find them
Sight-cast from the pier ends and boats as fish run west along the beaches in March to May (Fishing Destin Guide; LSU). The Florida record, 130 lb 1 oz, came from near Destin (FWC).
Cruising near the surface, often around rays or structure.
What to look for
A brown shark-like shape cruising near the surface.
What to throw
Bait
Live eel, Live menhaden, Crab. Heavy fish-finder or free-line, circle hook required at 4/0 and up.
Leader
50 to 80 lb.
Common mistakes
- Landing an unsubdued cobia; they thrash violently
Landing
Wear it out before landing.
Handling
- Violent thrashing
- Sharp gill plates
Subdue before handling.
Keep or release
Very good eating (LSU). Florida rules apply.
Typical: About 30 in, 15 lb. Large: 40 lb and up. SC record 92 lb 10 oz (2009).
Limits
FishOS has not checked the FL limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you keep a fish.
Sources
- Fishing Destin Guide (local angler site, 2014): pier fishing calendar for seven piers from Panama City to Gulf State Park (Angler knowledge)
- LSU / Louisiana Sea Grant, Louisiana Fisheries: cobia (with Gulf Coast Research Laboratory tagging results) (Official source)
- Florida Museum of Natural History, Discover Fishes: Cobia (Official source)
- FAO Cultured Aquatic Species Information: Rachycentron canadum (cobia) (Official source)
- SCDNR species profile: cobia (Official source)
Is cobia worth it today?
The planner rates it for your exact time with the live tide, weather and water temperature.
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