How Do I Catch a Cobia?

Post by **tallarob** » July 2nd, 2005, 8:56 pm

Any sugestions as to how to catch a cobia? What kind of rig do you use and what type bait? Any suggestions as to where to look. I understand that they are on the flats and a good place to go is bird rack. I'm not looking to do any deep water fishing although could go as far as the St. Mark's reef.

Post by **Eerman** » July 2nd, 2005, 9:05 pm

Don't need to be in deep water. They hang out a good bit on the flats. Look for big rays. Cobia follow them around alot. Even if you don't see them, throw ahead of the ray anyway. I'm no expert so all my knowledge is from the rest of the guys on here. I think live pinfish work well. I also know cobia like eel-type lures. Some others on here can give you advice about bringing "green" cobia onboard...right db

Post by **T Smith** » July 3rd, 2005, 9:27 am

Whenever. I'm on the flats drifting I always make sure I'm towing a pinfish out the back. In the past year or so I have hooked up with two that way an one was pretty big, it broke the rod and line as soon as the gaff touched it. I use a small bottom fishing rod with 20#. A good spinning combo would work well also. Cobia love pinfish. I rig it wilh a circle hook and a popping cork. I give the pinfish about 3 or 4' of line and hook it in the top of the back. There are many ways to rig it, I like to use a cork so that the pinfish is always trying to get back down into the grass but the cork stops it a few feet above. Seems to work good, it also cathes a bunch of small sharks though.

FindingNemo · Post by **FindingNemo** » July 3rd, 2005, 8:17 pm

I have yet to catch a cobia although I have hooked one and lost it...which is pretty exciting in and of itself. The last time I hooked up I was freelining a live pinfish at the birdrack. I was with a fishing buddy who hooked up and lost one at the 1st stake (first stake east of the birdrack) and another friend hooked up and lost one at the 1st stake last Friday. I used 30lb Cajun red line and was still broken off when Mr. Cobia did a deep dive into the channel and away from the bird rack. I am still learning but I am thinking that live pinfish, a large circle hook and patience may be the key. Friends have told me that cobia will often circle their boat but not take anything they throw at them. Good luck.

Post by **Tom Keels** » July 3rd, 2005, 9:34 pm

There is a great article in this month's GAFF magazine written by Capt. Ken Roy on the subject.

I'll give you a 4 letter hint....

CHUM

dave7 · Post by **dave7** » July 4th, 2005, 11:37 pm

Thanks for the good question and answers - It wasn't even my question -but I learned a good bit! Haven't hooked onto one yet, but sure am gonna try.

Post by **Aucilla** » July 5th, 2005, 9:23 am

I know most of y'all have probably already read this, but if you haven't you gotta read dbplug's report of his great cobia confrontation. The story was the last of several-day series of reports from his vacation, including a number of fish that got away, as I recall, because he didn't give them enough time before he set the hook...

It happened a year ago today!

When you read this, be sure to page back into the thread to read his update to his report.

http://bigbendfishing.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=4174

Here's a direct link to his "addendum:"

http://bigbendfishing.net/phpbb/viewtop ... highlight=