Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) is a favorite winter and spring time gamester in all of the waters around Key West. They are prized by many of the sushi bars around south Florida for their firm white meat. They are also prized by sportfishermen because of their size, cooperative nature and fighting ability.
Cobia are very inquisitive and will often swim right up to the boat where they will frequently consume most any offering of live or dead bait as well as a variety of lures. They will take most surface popping lures which makes them a first class fly rod fish. We have two great I.G.F.A. world records, one being the largest Cobia ever taken on a fly rod, a giant 83 pounder taken by Jim Anson. The second record is the third oldest fly rod world record in the I.G.F.A. record book, a 69 pounder taken back in 1967 on 12 pound tippet by, then a young man, Ralph Delph.
They also make an annual, northward migration along the edge of the Gulfstream during April and early May where those fishing for Sailfish and other pelagics often see them cruising the surface along the color change. These fish are consistently large fish ranging in size from 40 to 60 plus pounds. Live bait or chugging lures should be presented at a distance for best results. Although Cobia will sometimes jump, they will usually dive deep and test the anglers stamina and tackle to it’s limits.
Cobia is a very tasty fish and is a prized sushi species. Recipes for cooking Cobia as well as other types of fish can be found on our Weekly Recipes page.
Cobia Photo Gallery
Cobia Fishing Locations
Dry Tortugas
The Dry Tortugas is the last, great vestige of sportfishing in the northern hemisphere. This remote group of islands are surrounded by more than ten thousand square miles of fishing resources that have remained relatively untapped due to the time that it would take to cover this vast and remote area.
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico, for our purposes, begins at the North side of the flats, along the lower Florida Keys and includes a portion of the Florida Bay, continuing to the West and North of the Dry Tortugas, encompassing more than 5000 square miles of fishable water within range of our hi-tech, offshore boats.
Key West
Key West offers the sportfishing enthusiast the largest variety of gamefish in the world. Other locations will argue that they are the sportfishing capital of the world, or the best for this species or that particular fish. There are more “I.G.F.A. World Records” from the waters of Key West than the next closest, several locations combined.
Marquesas
Marquesas is a magical word that conjures thoughts of tropical breezes, emerald green water surrounding a tropical island paradise. A ring of islands surrounded by acres and acres of pristine water and shallow flats where giant Tarpon, Permit, Bonefish, Mutton Snappers, great Barracudas and monster Sharks of all kinds prowl the flats.
