If you’re new to sport fishing on the Gulf Coast, fishing for Cobia can be quite difficult.

Cobia is a strong, hard-hitting fighter that can take your line off faster than you think.

They are also known for continuing the fight in the boat, if you don’t have the time to do so on the line.

If not you’ll be fighting an angry fish with a legal limit of 33 inches fork length.

You can expect serious sport fishing action considering that cobia fish can often be found up to 50 lbs.

Cobia are also a delicious fish, so make sure to include them in your Gulf Coast Fishing trip.

Experts are a great resource for anyone planning a Gulf Coast fishing trip to cobia. Gulf Coast fishing guides can even take you to the mouth of the Mississippi River and also have the knowledge, tackle, licenses, and right boat to make your fishing trip productive and enjoyable.

Some Cobia Facts

Cobia are also known as lemon fish, ling, cabio and crabeater. This is due to its predisposition towards crab, which is one the most popular baits to catch them.

This is one of the most table-friendly Gulf Coast fish that has a medium-firm texture and a mild flavor. 

Cobia are long, slim, with a distinctive shovel-shaped nose, a protruding jaw, and a slim body. Their color is dark brown with a slight white underbelly. They have a visible darker strip running the length of their bodies from their eyes to their tail. A dorsal fin is also present, with a few smaller ones ahead.

Cobia’s unique feature is their tendency to hold their pectoral fins horizontally. The Cobia can often be mistaken for a shark. With its coloring, a lemon shark is usually what comes to mind. This species is fast-growing and can be found along the Gulf Coast, not too far from the New Orleans area. Within two years, fish can grow to 33 inches in length. Cobia are usually caught weighing between 15 and 50 pounds.

Sometimes Cobia over 100 pounds are occasionally caught. These are usually females, which are the largest of the species. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has cited the State Record for a cobia fish of 130 pounds and 1 ounce.

Fishing For Cobia

Crabs, shrimp, and bait fish attract cobia fish to structures where they can congregate. The best places to fish for cobia in the Gulf Coast are grass flats, reefs, wrecks, and over-floating debris.

Cobia fishing is very popular, especially when you are using fly fishing or lighter tackle. One of the most important techniques for cobia fishing is sight-fishing. Cast out just a few feet in front. Next, use lots of action on retrieving by making sure to draw them to the bait.

Cobia fishing lures that make noise are the best, although plastic eels can also be very effective. It is important to set the hook in a way that the eel can swim straight through the water. The hook should be inserted into the mouth, with the tip of the hook positioned further back.