Cobia

The cobia is a highly rated, hard-hitting game fish that is prone to long, powerful, determined runs and occasional leaps.

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY A COBIA

It is the only known member of the family Rachycentridae. It has a long, broad, depressed head. The overall appearance of the fish is similar to that of a small shark, given the shape of the body, the powerful tail fin, and the elevated anterior portion of the second dorsal fin. Even more striking is its resemblance to the remora. The most noticeable difference between these two species is the suction pad on the remoras head. The cobia is known to swim with sharks and other large species as the remora does.The cobia’s coloration and markings are distinctive. The back is dark chocolate brown while the sides are lighter with alternate horizontal stripes of brown and silver or bronze and white. The markings on smaller specimens are more vivid; the black and dark stripes are blacker, making the lighter areas stand out more.

 

WHERE TO CATCH COBIA

Cobia are found worldwide in tropical and warm, temperate waters both offshore and inshore. Adult cobia seem to prefer shallow continental shelf waters. They particularly like buoys, pilings, wrecks, anchored boats, flotsam, etc., and will sometimes congregate around these objects. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

 

COASTAL WATERS                                         REEFS, WRECKS, AND SHOALS

FLOATING FOAM AND DEBRIS

 

 

HOW TO CATCH COBIA

Preferred fishing methods are trolling with lures or baits, bottom fishing, jigging, chumming, and spin casting. They can be caught on crustaceans (which is why they are nicknamed crab-eaters in Australia) as well as on smaller fishes. Good baits are squid, crabs, small live baits, cut baits, and strip baits. Spoons, plugs, and weighted feathers can also be used. They rate high as table fare. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

 

DRIFT FISHING                           STILL FISHING                  BOTTOM BOUNCING

SALTWATER JIGGING

 

COBIA LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:

 

CUT BAIT                         PLUGS                             SHRIMP

JIGS                                SALTWATER LIVE BAIT                SQUID