Cobia are a staple angling prey along the Gulf coast whether it be Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama or Florida. These deep water lovers migrate along the Gulf coast each year from mid-March to late April or early May. Once the hot weather of summer arrives they take to holes & deeper water. During this migration one may catch these fish, also called Ling Cod, easily. The best bait is eels but they are hard to hookup correctly. Using circle hooks makes this a much easier prospect than most realize. Through the lips on a larger live eel then a long cast in front of a surface cruising cobia will usually net results. I like to use fingerling mullet as well. I have also used my own artificial eels made from strips of bicycle inner tube.
I cut the inner tube into strips about 1 ½” wide and 28” long. I point both ends then fold the inner tube strip in the middle. I use a ½” diameter button obtained from any fabric shop & run some leader wire through the button for about 5”. On the end of the leader wire I attach a large swivel snap for the hook. On the opposite end of the leader wire I attach another large barrel swivel. Not a pretty lure but it results in some great cobia action!
In hot weather cobia hang out in deeper water or in inshore holes. One great cobia hole may be found in the mouth of Tampa Bay just adjacent to Egmont Key. There are others but since I was a kid this hole has consistently provided me with good cobia catches. I have caught cobia on live pinfish & mullet minnows as well.
Cobia will fight, they are wily & they taste good when cooked! One of my favorite fish to catch. I prefer the smaller cobia to the monsters. Smaller cobia run from 20-45 lbs, big cobia from 45 to 80 lbs & monsters from 80 to 120 lbs. All are fun to catch, all are wily & all are tasty!
Copyright © 2006 - 2008 Donald R Houston, PhD. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the author's consent.
