Rachycentron canadum
Large pelagic fish often found near buoys and wrecks. Excellent table quality.
Spring migration (March–May) is prime. Follow cownose rays and sharks — cobia travel with them.
Sight-cast live eels, pinfish, or crabs to fish following rays. Also around buoys, wrecks, and channel markers.
33" minimum, 1 fish per day per person, 2 per vessel.
Post up on a bridge or beach in March–April and watch for rays. Sight-cast a live eel to the fish, not the ray.
Curated picks for Cobia fishing in Florida
Large paddle-tail swimbait on a 1oz jig head — cobia can't leave it alone.
Cobia follow rays and sharks — drop this in front of a following fish and hold on.
Heavy bucktail jig that sinks fast and triggers aggressive strikes.
When you spot a cobia on the surface, get a bucktail in front of it immediately.
Big-game inshore reel with 20lb max drag — cobia over 50lb are common.
You might sight-cast to a 60lb cobia on the spring run — be ready.
Heavy fluorocarbon leader — cobia have tough, abrasive mouths.
50lb fluoro is the standard cobia leader; they scrape leader on their skin.
12 spots tracked — click any for tides, weather & local tips
