Fish guide
Cobia
Rachycentron canadum.
Showing the fish for Long Island, NY.
Season in Long Island
The Fisherman (2019): cobia have become more frequent visitors over the past decade, most summers, around the Meadowbrook and Wantagh bridges and Montauk's Fort Pond Bay. Only summer reports were found; mostly a boat fish. (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
Uncommon summer visitor, more frequent over the past decade: bay bridges such as the Meadowbrook and Wantagh, and Montauk's Fort Pond Bay. Mostly a boat fish.
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
Check the New York rules before keeping one.
Typical: unknown. Large: unknown. No NY record set yet (NYSDEC requires at least 50 lb).
New York (marine waters) limits
- Minimum: 43 in TL
- Maximum: none
- Bag: 1 per angler
- Boat: Fishing from a vessel: maximum 2 per vessel
- Season: All year
- Shore anglers: 1 per angler
Last checked 2026-10-17. A summary, not legal advice; the official rules win. New York State DEC fishing regulations.
Sources
- The Fisherman: Southern Visitors Arrive on LI (2019) (Angler knowledge)
- 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)
- NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records Program (Official source)
- NYSDEC Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations: size, possession limits and seasons (fish table last changed May 12, 2026; shark table last changed Aug 27, 2025) (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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