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Fly Fishing for Cobia
Fly Fishing For Cobia In The Ocean
Monday April 23, 2018
An exciting offshore and nearshore fish on Florida's east coast is the popular and often plentiful cobia which can be sightfished off and on throughout the year during temperate seasonal temperature changes. Cobia require a 10 weight or better flyrod and are looking for larger flies and offerings than smaller inshore species.
Often sought on offshore structure over reefs, wrecks and rubble, the cobia will also follow and relate to large marine animals like manta rays and sharks. Look for cobia around floatsome, bouys and other structure too. It's not uncommon to look back and see cobia following a slow trolling boat, they truly can show up anywhere and are a pleasant surprise for the preparred and startling for many as they resemble sharks to the untrained eye.
Cobia like jigs and brightly colored flies that have a larger profile than standard streamers. Ray Norman has developed a fly I use almost exclusivley and it just simply works. Cobia will also take poppers and can be teased to the boatside to take a variety of streamers and crab patterns.
Cobia are hard fighting, heavy fish that never seem to give up the battle even after they're boated. Average size of this fish seems to be over 25 lbs with 35-40 lbs not uncommon. Brown to black colored with no teeth, short spikes on their backs and plenty of "BIG FISH" attitude. Cobia are often mistaken by anglers for sharks and can be seen freely swimming near the surface near flotsam or structure. For the most part cobia are dark brown but can have some color fluctuation due to genetics or habitat.
Both INSHORE and NEARSHORE inhabiting inlets, bays, and among mangroves; frequently seen around buoys, pilings, and wrecks. During the spring and fall migrations they can often be seen free swimming along the coastline.
We often find cobia swimming near the surface near floating sargassum seaweed or flotsam. Prior to the 1980's cobia would frequent navigation aids but this has become less of a habit due to angling pressure.
One of the preferred ways to catch cobia consistently is to simply bottom fish near wrecks and structure. Cobia respond well to live bait and find comfort and food source near large bottom structure.
As a note you should always look around large marinelife for swimming cobia. Large sharks, manta rays, whales and turtles can often hold cobia that relate to them as traveling companions or hitchhikers.
Remarks
spawns in spring and early summer; feeds on crabs, squid, and small fish. Target this fish in early spring or late winter (feb-april). Cobia are often seasonal so make your reservations during this time of year.
Cobia Fishing Information & Photos
Port Canaveral Cobia Family Cobia Fishing Cobia with Manta Rays Offshore Cobia Schooling Cobia Offshore Site Fishing Cobia Inshore Cobia Fishing Central Florida Cobia Cobia Captain Charters Cobia Fishing
Regulations
Minimum size 33" to fork 1 per harvester or 6 per vessel per day, whichever is less.
State Record
103 lbs., 12 ozs.
Fly Fishing For Cobia
Reviewed by Captain Richard Bradley on Last modified: November 08 2016 11:48:24.
Published by: Captain Richard Bradley of Lagooner Fishing Guides©
Fishing Reports
April - 2018 Fishing Report
Fishing Forecast
April - 2018 Fishing Forecast
April of 2018 should be a great spring for fishing in both inshore and offshore coastal waters of Central Florida. Look to the Mosquito Lagoon and Banana Rivers to produce redfish and sea trout consistently and then look toward the ocean and depending on the water temps, clear skies and wind the cobia will be on their way north and migrating past Canaveral towards their northern grounds on the mid-Atlantic seaboard. Central Florida's weather during the spring is usually no less than spectacular as the college spring breakers are winding up the end of their vacation and heading back to campus to finish up before summer break. Daytona Beach host several spring events from NASCAR Races, Bike Week and Spring Break activities while Cocoa Beach and it's Space Coast offer a much less crowded alternative for vacationers to seek a more secluded and restful Holiday. The temperatures are rising and the fishing should be heating up too in East Central Florida's Cocoa Beach.
Lagooner Fishing Guides
Cocoa Beach's premier saltwater fishing guide with over 25 years of charter fishing experience in his native waters.
Telephone: 321-868-4953
Website: www.lagooner.com
Cocoa Beach, FL
USA
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Lagooner Fishing Guides Review / Trip Advisor
Inshore and Offshore Charter Fishing near Orlando and Cocoa Beach, Florida. Catch redfish, sea trout, tarpon, snook and many other saltwater gamefish aboard the world famous Lagooner flats fishing boat with renowned Captain Richard Bradley.
Great day with a great Captain! - No matter your skill level....Richard does an awesome job of putting you on fish! He is professional, courteous and always a ton of fun and laughter! If you are looking for a fun day on the water....a family outing....or serious fishing....Richard is your guy!
Written by: Troy M about Lagooner Fishing Charters on
January 20, 2015
5 / 5 stars 