There’s a reason so many anglers choose to go Cobia fishing in Florida. Not only are these fish a great target for both novice and expert anglers, but they taste great too. Their widespread availability also makes them a sustainable food choice, so you can feel good about filling up the ice box.
There are plenty of ways to get a Cobia hook up. More often than not, you won’t need a complicated set-up. A medium weight spinning rod does the trick nine out of ten times. If you’re looking for a challenge, try fly fishing for them when they’re inshore and swimming close to the surface.
A good rule of thumb for finding Cobia is seeking out structure. These fish love to eat, preferring blue crab, eel, and pinfish, and structures like bridge pilings and channel markers tend to be where bait fish congregate. They’re preferred diet should also give you a clue about which bait to use!
Florida’s subtropical waters are the ideal habitat for Cobia. You’ll find them in both the Gulf and the Atlantic Coast at different times of year. From March to June, explore the stretch from Daytona Beach to Jacksonville. During the winter months, your best bet is hitting the Keys. And if you’re lucky enough to be fishing the Gulf’s nearshore waters, you can hook Cobia year-round.
