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It is a rough and tumble fight when a cobia smashes your bait.
It heads for the bottom and will antagonize you with rapid direction changes,
sharp turns, and very strong runs, which will pull you, rod and reel,
towards the sea if your concentration slacks off.
Try to keep clear of other lines, the bait tank, and prevent the cobia
fouling up on the anchor rope and out board engine. These are some of the
things to keep you busy during an exhausting fight. Many times after bringing a
three and a half-foot giant to the boat, you will moan;"Oh no,
not again"
as that so called pacified striped torpedo streaks out with another 50 yards
of line and then has the audacity to streak back towards the anchor rope or
opposite side of the boat.
Finally, after landing that monstrosity,
 you find
that all the exercise you and the fish have expended has shrunk the cobia by half an inch
and you have to return the beauty to the sea. Thirty-three inches from its nose to the fork
of the tail is the magic number to be legal as of 3/97.
A favorite spot for cobia is around markers or any large objects.
Many species of fish congregate near these markers and provide a desirable menu for a
hungry fish.
Cobia also congregate near reefs, small islands, and follow sharks and stingrays.
 The Gulf of Mexico
and the Florida coast cannot be rivaled for the migratory run of cobia. Tarpon Springs and
Anclote Key coastal areas begin to get the advance assault of these fish in late February or
early March while the Northern tip of Florida waits eagerly for the big bruisers to arrive
in late March. Pompano, mackerel, dolphin, and cobia are all migratory fish and seem to announce
each other for their migratory runs. This, of course, depends on the location as you move up the
coastline.
The most popular baits are sardines, shrimp, and crabs. Use a
ten pound line, thirty pound leader, and a 2/0 offset hook for a worthwhile fight. If you
are not familiar with cobia, by all means hire a guide to show you the methods to get them
to come near your boat when they are running. Cobia have reached about one hundred and thirty
pounds as a record, but normally the sizes usually caught are in the range of 20 to 40 pounds.
A distinct marking on the cobia is a broad black stripe from its tail up and through its eyes.
Their body is dark and shows off a white belly. Familiar names for this fish are ling, crabeater,
cabio, and
 lemon fish.
If the sea hands you a 33" lemon, make lemonade and enjoy!
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