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Just a heads up, the minimum was increased from 33” to 36”( fork length) on March 25, 2020. Go get em, don’t get popped w a short

https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/cobia/

Thanx, I hadn't heard that. Heading out to self-isolate offshore tomorrow

Quick question. The website I found that mentions the March 2020 increase to 36" for cobia lists it as a change for federal waters, and shows state waters still at 33". Can anyone clarify what's the limit if I stay in state waters?

geofish wrote:Quick question. The website I found that mentions the March 2020 increase to 36" for cobia lists it as a change for federal waters, and shows state waters still at 33". Can anyone clarify what's the limit if I stay in state waters?

It's still 33" in Florida's Big Bend. If you don't have the app, Fish Rules, get it.

State waters still 33” to the fork, but 2 max per vessel is new I believe. I used to use fish rules, but there was a problem with them updating regs. I doubt a fwc officer would take what fish rules says over the fwc website, but I could be wrong.

Just spoke to an FWC officer on this matter and he confirmed that state water regulations remained at 33" for cobia.

( not legal advice! )

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Srbenda wrote:Just spoke to an FWC officer on this matter and he confirmed that state water regulations remained at 33" for cobia.

( not legal advice! )

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Thanks for helping clear this up.


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Have tagged and released WAY more than I've kept AND have released quite a few tagged keepers so asking this just for clarity sake regarding what seems like rather convoluted rulings...

If I'm reading the latest regs right FL's state water limit is still 33" AND ONE fish per person (max 2 per vessel). But the federal limit is now 36" (in the gulf) with only a specified limit of 2 per person (don't see a vessel limit for federal waters).

So... let's say that I go out with a party of 3 guys (self included) and we stop in state waters first and put TWO 35" keepers on ice. We then run out to Federal waters and land 4 more cobia that are 36"+. As long as we don't stop running when headed in, and assuming the fish caught were legitimately split with each of has having caught two of the keepers we'd be legal to have all 6 cobia on the boat if stopped right?

And will plead / warn in advance, out of concern for the fishery I personally WOULD NOT do it anyway... back when limits were even more open I only generally kept one if the freezer was empty and limited what we'd keep on the boat to 3 fish for the entire vessel regardless the number of folks fishing.

Just asking to ensure I understand what the legal limits truly are.

big bend gyrene wrote:Have tagged and released WAY more than I've kept AND have released quite a few tagged keepers so asking this just for clarity sake regarding what seems like rather convoluted rulings...

If I'm reading the latest regs right FL's state water limit is still 33" AND ONE fish per person (max 2 per vessel). But the federal limit is now 36" (in the gulf) with only a specified limit of 2 per person (don't see a vessel limit for federal waters).

So... let's say that I go out with a party of 3 guys (self included) and we stop in state waters first and put TWO 35" keepers on ice. We then run out to Federal waters and land 4 more cobia that are 36"+. As long as we don't stop running when headed in, and assuming the fish caught were legitimately split with each of has having caught two of the keepers we'd be legal to have all 6 cobia on the boat if stopped right?

And will plead / warn in advance, out of concern for the fishery I personally WOULD NOT do it anyway... back when limits were even more open I only generally kept one if the freezer was empty and limited what we'd keep on the boat to 3 fish for the entire vessel regardless the number of folks fishing.

Just asking to ensure I understand what the legal limits truly are.

The way I understand it, if you enter fed waters w 2 35” fish, you are in violation. Similar to state and fed gags. If you catch one in fed waters and it’s closed on state, you have to run in without stopping. If you stop to fish or swim, your in violation.

Salty Gator wrote: The way I understand it, if you enter fed waters w 2 35” fish, you are in violation. Similar to state and fed gags. I’d you catch one in fed waters and it’s closed on state, you have to run in without stopping. If you stop to fish or swim, your in violation.

This is correct.

Anyone else spotted any cobia of late?

I spotted one (not a keeper) swimming with a big ray in three foot while fishing a grass flat. I had to be around thirty yards from the hill.

I pitched the swim bait I had but it spooked the ray... they gone.

Was a welcomed surprise.


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Red Beard wrote:Anyone else spotted any cobia of late?

I spotted one (not a keeper) swimming with a big ray in three foot while fishing a grass flat. I had to be around thirty yards from the hill.

I pitched the swim bait I had but it spooked the ray... they gone.

Was a welcomed surprise.


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I saw one in 4” on Friday. He was probably right at keeper size

Salty Gator wrote:

Red Beard wrote:Anyone else spotted any cobia of late?

I spotted one (not a keeper) swimming with a big ray in three foot while fishing a grass flat. I had to be around thirty yards from the hill.

I pitched the swim bait I had but it spooked the ray... they gone.

Was a welcomed surprise.


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I saw one in 4” on Friday. He was probably right at keeper size

Nice. Looking to get tight on one soon.


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