Is there a cobia season in Florida?

Is there a cobia season in Florida?

Cobia migrate seasonally, and can be found in the northern Gulf from March to October and in the southern Gulf and south Florida from November to March.

How do you catch cobia in North Florida?

TACKLE AND BAITS Surf tackle is the best bet for pier fishing and for boat fishing when long casts with heavy lures are called for. Since cobia are notorious for wrapping lines around buoys and wreck structure, most anglers use 30-pound-test line or heavier.

What is the best bait for cobia?

Another important thing that every Cobia fisherman needs to know is the proper live bait for Cobia. There are many different live baits that can be used but the best we believe are Eels and Croaker. These two live baits are strong so they stay alive best.

What lures do cobia like?

Best Cobia Bucktails/Bucktail Jigs Let them hit the bottom and bounce them off of it repeatedly. Try to match the lure to the bait minnows in your area as this will give the best success. This means matching the size and the color. Some baitfish that Cobia love are pinfish, mullet, spot, cigar minnows, and croaker.

What’s the best bait for cobia?

Is there a season for cobia?

Cobia spawn in coastal bays and estuaries several times throughout their spawning season, which lasts from late June to mid-August in the Southeast and from late summer to early fall in the Gulf of Mexico.

How big do cobia have to be in Florida?

The final rule for Framework Amendment 7 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region will increase the recreational and commercial minimum size limit for cobia in the Gulf Zone (see map) from 33 inches fork length to 36 inches fork length.

Where is the best cobia fishing?

Found on Florida’s Emerald Coast, the city of Destin is one of the top places for Cobia fishing in the world. Cobia can be found inshore in Destin particularly in the city’s bays, inlets, and mangroves, and also nearshore around stationary and floating objects like pilings, beacons, markers buoys, and wrecks.

What lb leader is cobia?

Cobia lures Lures should be rigged on 60lb leader about 18 inches long with a 150lb swivel.

How big do cobia have to be?

Cobia must be a minimum size to be harvested, and must be landed with their heads and fins intact. Current minimum size limit is 33 inches fork length. Amendment 7 will be increasing the minimum size limit to 36 inches fork length.

Where to catch cobia in Florida?

Though usually caught deep sea fishing, there are plenty of tales of cobia being caught in the passes and backwaters of the southwest coast. In North Florida, anglers without boats can fish for cobia off the piers that stretch into the Gulf of Mexico .

What does cobia taste like?

Cobia fish is a saltwater fish that was originally from the Gulf of Mexico. It has a mild, sweet taste and it’s not too fatty. It can be served in many ways including raw, fried, or ceviche. The cobia are often caught with longlines and purse seine nets which makes it an inexpensive choice for fishermen.

How to fish for cobia?

The best way to catch Cobia is sight fishing using eel or crab as bait. Cobia are known to congregate heavily in 15 feet to 50 feet of water, often following rays, turtles, and sharks . Bottom fishing and sight fishing are the most popular methods to target Cobia; let’s dive into the details.

What size hook for cobia?

The best hooks for Cobia fish are size 5/0 to 9/0 circle hooks. Get the strong ones (Owner, Gamakatsu, Mustad , to minimize hook bends. Some excellent Mustad Hooks are here. Recommendation – simply the best.