Rachycentron canadum
Elongated, torpedo-shaped body that is dark brown on top with a prominent dark black lateral stripe. Two lighter stripes run above and below. Flat, wide head with a protruding lower jaw. Small eyes. White belly. First dorsal fin is a series of 7-9 short, stiff spines. Overall shape resembles a remora (sharksuckers), a close relative.
Females grow considerably larger than males. Most cobia over 50 lbs are female. Males rarely exceed 60 lbs. Both sexes look identical aside from size difference.
Average catch is 20-35 lbs. Quality cobia run 40-60 lbs. Trophy fish exceed 70 lbs and 5+ feet in length. The world record is 135 lbs 9 oz, caught in Shark Bay, Western Australia in 1985. In U.S. waters, fish over 80 lbs are exceptional.
Sight-casting to cobia following rays or cruising near buoys is the premier technique — throw a live eel, large live crab, or large jig directly in front of a cruising fish. Live eels are the #1 bait. Large jigs (1-2 oz) in brown, white, or chartreuse bounced near structure work well. Chumming with cut baitfish over wrecks and reefs draws cobia up from the bottom. During the spring migration, anchoring near channel markers and buoys with live bait (pinfish, crabs) catches fish as they migrate along the coast.
Medium-heavy spinning or conventional rod (7 ft), 5000-6000 reel, 20-30 lb braid, 40-60 lb fluorocarbon leader, 5/0-7/0 circle hooks. Cobia make blistering initial runs — make sure your drag is set properly.
Minimum size limit is typically 33-36 inches fork length (varies by state). Bag limit of 1-2 fish per person per day. Some states have seasonal closures during spawning.
Regulations change frequently. Always verify current rules with your charter captain or state wildlife agency before fishing.
Florida · Northeast
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
South Carolina · Lowcountry
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
Mississippi · Gulf Coast
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Virginia · Eastern Shore
North Carolina · Cape Fear
Florida · Nature Coast
South Carolina · Lowcountry
Maryland · Chesapeake Bay
Florida · Tampa Bay
Florida · Space Coast
Louisiana · Cajun Coast
Texas · Lower Coast
Florida · Nature Coast
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Alabama · Gulf Coast
Florida · Panhandle
Puerto Rico · San Juan Metro
Florida · Northeast
Florida · Southeast
Alabama · Mobile Bay
Florida · Southwest
Florida · Panhandle
Texas · Upper Coast
Texas · Upper Coast
South Carolina · Grand Strand
Louisiana · Southeast Louisiana
Alabama · Gulf Coast
Mississippi · Gulf Coast
North Carolina · Outer Banks
South Carolina · Lowcountry
Florida · Nature Coast
Florida · Keys
Florida · Northeast
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Florida · Keys
Florida · Keys
South Carolina · Lowcountry
North Carolina · Outer Banks
Florida · Keys
Florida · Southwest
Florida · Space Coast
Florida · Southeast
Alabama · Mobile Bay
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
South Carolina · Grand Strand
South Carolina · Grand Strand
North Carolina · Outer Banks
Florida · Southwest
Florida · Space Coast
Virginia · Hampton Roads
South Carolina · Grand Strand
Alabama · Gulf Coast
North Carolina · Outer Banks
Florida · Panhandle
South Carolina · Grand Strand
Florida · Panhandle
Texas · Mid Coast
Louisiana · Cajun Coast
Texas · Mid Coast
Florida · Southwest
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Florida · Space Coast
Maryland · Chesapeake Bay
North Carolina · Cape Fear
Florida · Northeast
Florida · Tampa Bay
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Florida · Nature Coast
Florida · Southeast
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
Florida · Tampa Bay
Florida · Tampa Bay
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Louisiana · Southeast Louisiana
Virginia · Hampton Roads
Florida · Southeast
North Carolina · Cape Fear
North Carolina · Cape Fear
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