Steinhatchee Cobia

[Cannonj2323]

Hey guys I'm new to this forum and fairly new to flats fishing period. Just bought a boat and gonna take it out for the first time this week out of Steinhatchee. I have always wanted to hook into a big Cobia, anybody have any tips on how and where are the best places out of Steinhatchee to catch one. I had a friend tell me that the Spanish and trout were killing everything he threw at them last week so hopefully me and the family can get into some action either way. Thanks in advance for the help and good fishing.

[Flint River Pirate]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new boat. I might be wrong but it is a little early for cobia. We always start catching them when the water is a little warmer, like around May. I heard they have just started catching them in PCB from a friend of mine who guides there. Cobia like structure and live bait. I don't fish Steinhatchee enough to offer you any numbers. In past seasons I have caught several at Econfina around the bird racks on pin fish. The biggest Cobia were generally in late May. Good luck!

[big bend gyrene]

Cannonj2323, cobia are a topic that's been well-covered on the site in the past... links below will share some good scoop for you.

As for specific spots, most folks don't want to give up cobia holes but birdracks, articifical reefs, rocky areas all provide the structure cobia love. Tagging along on what Flint River Pirate said, might not want to sacrifice a super hot inshore bite right now for cobia just beginning to migrate in. As one of the links shares, inshore one of the best ways to hook up is to always have a pinfish floating back behind the boat under a cajun thunder between the months of April and October -- they ARE here pretty thick ALL summer long. Not likely going to catch one every trip but WILL have good odds of having one hit during a season if you do it without fail. Other option is to go to deeper nearshore birdrack waters or to artificial reefs and anchor fish the structures... I do this often but it's much more a game of patience than is inshore fishing, and as such I'll usually target trout & reds until late April before shifting heavier attention to cobes, though still float that cajun thunder with a pinfish behind me inshore almost all the time.

http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpBB3/vi ... 6&p=178097

http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpBB3/vi ... 3&p=212497

[silverking]

Some very good advice already offered, but I'll add a vote for Al Gag's Whip-it Eels. I've had cobia spin on their tails to eat these life-like lures and the plastic is impregnated with real eels for scent. Swim like the real thing and the jig heads add even more realism.

My favorite is the natural color (olive/cream), but in stained or deeper water, the flow green and blood red are good choices, too. I've been using the 6-inch version with either the 1/2-ounce or 3/4-ounce head.

Shields Marina in St. Marks or Kevin's in Tallahassee sells them. Or you can order on-line through Al's web site.

algagsfishinglures.com

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[Cannonj2323]

Thanks guys. That's a lot of help.Llike I said I'm fairly new to flats fishing and looking for any help I can get. Now if I could just figure out a way to fish and not have to work.

[big bend gyrene]

Now if I could just figure out a way to fish and not have to work.

LORD knows I wish I could help you with that one!!! Haven't yet figured out how to crack that nut, but somehow board owner Barry Bevis has... maybe he can share his secret(s).

[Flint River Pirate]

Barry won the Powerball and hasn't told anyone yet.

[Cannonj2323]

Barry won the Powerball and hasn't told anyone yet.

That would be nice. But I guess you have to play to win.