Fish guide
Cobia
Rachycentron canadum.
Showing the fish for Mississippi Gulf Coast, MS.
Season in Mississippi
Peak months: May.
Mississippi Sportsman: cobia in April around sand bars, rigs, wrecks, reefs and channel markers; July lists cobia offshore. LSU: migration west toward Mississippi and Louisiana. (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
Ship channel buoys, channel markers, rigs and barrier-island sand bars in April (Mississippi Sportsman).
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). Mississippi 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 MS limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources before you keep a fish.
Sources
- Mississippi Sportsman, Bobby Cleveland, Jan 1, 2018: 2018 Mississippi saltwater calendar (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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