COBIA R RUNNING!!!
just had the phone call!!!!!
"Where the rays go in northeast Florida, so go the cobia." -
http://www.floridasportsman.com/sportfish/cobia/SR_9904_Working/
"Cobia fever hits hard in the Panhandle each year. The fish seem to spend the winter almost hibernating around offshore reefs in 180 to 250 feet of water. Before the spring run inshore begins, there are often reports of cobia being caught by grouper fishermen on the deepwater reefs." -
http://www.floridasportsman.com/sportfish/cobia/S_9903_Wads/
"Cobia are usually first sighted off Destin. Then, within days, or even hours, sightings are reported from Panama City to Pensacola. Within the week, they are being sighted around Mexico Beach and Apalachicola. As the temperature warms, the fever intensifies. Several prestigious tournaments take place each year, and 'Class Act' was entered in a pair of month-long events based in Destin." -
http://www.floridasportsman.com/sportfish/cobia/S_9903_Wads/
TACKLE
Since this is basically open-water fishing, casting-style tackle is preferable over bottom-fishing gear or the heavy boat rods that are often associated with cobia. A suitable outfit can be made up of either spinning or bait-casting-type gear. The rod should be in the 6- to 6 1/2-foot range with plenty of butt-section strength and a quick tip for the short and accurate casts that are regularly required. The reel should have a good drag and capacity for around 200 yards of 20-pound-test monofilament line, though lighter line can be used in a pinch. In fact, one May morning trip took an interesting turn when a 45-pound cobia appeared near an inshore rip during an outing for speckled trout. We ended up taking that fish on a popping outfit and 14-pound line. That's a bit extreme, but it illustrates what is possible in a pinch.
To complete the rig, a 3-foot length of 50-pound fluorocarbon makes a good leader. Tie it directly to the line with an Albright knot. Finish out with a 1/2-ounce jighead featuring a stout 2/0 or 3/0 hook. Tip the hook with a cigar minnow, a 4- to 6-inch menhaden, or a similar-sized soft-plastic imitation.
JOINING THE BATTLE
Cast the setup about three feet ahead of the cobia and immediately begin a fairly rapid retrieve with short pumps, and it is a good bet you will get a bite!
In fact, you will likely see the fish take the bait. But do not try to set the hook based on what you are seeing. Rather, keep reeling until you feel the fish's weight and then give it two or three short sharp jabs. After that, just try to hold on!
If everything goes in your favor, the cobia eventually comes alongside the boat. Here it is paramount to be careful with the fish. These brown fish are quite prone to playing possum. Fall for that trick and bring a still "green" cobia into the boat and he surely will make a shambles out of the contents of your vessel, and may even injure you or your crew!
Unless you can turn the fish handily with firm sideways pressure of the rod, he is still green. Be patient -- a lot of these fish are lost at this point by anglers attempting to gaff or net them prematurely. It is always best to drop the fish directly into an open ice chest, which should then be quickly closed. It is not a bad idea to then sit on the lid to prevent the fish from escaping the box.
The largest certified cobia to be caught in the northern Gulf of Mexico weighed 130 pounds, 1 ounce. Peter McCollester, who was fishing out of a marina in the Florida Panhandle, took the fish on March 21, 1997.
"-
http://www.gameandfishmag.com/fishing/saltwater-fishing/RA_0505_04/index1.html
my kind o fish!
prepare to get out of the way on friday night!