Cobia fishing in Florida

Cobia are big, brown, shark-shaped fish that migrate along both Florida coasts in spring, and the Panhandle's Gulf piers and beaches are famous for sight-casting to them as they cruise the sandbars from March into May. They also hang around pier pilings, buoys, jetties, channel markers and large rays through the warm months, and some return south in the fall. Calm, clear water and bright sun are key, because most shore-caught cobia are spotted first; pier anglers post up on the end and wait for a fish to swim past. Cast a heavy bucktail or cobia jig, a live pinfish or a live eel-style bait just ahead of the fish and let it turn on it. Tackle is heavy: 30 to 50 lb braid, 50 to 60 lb fluorocarbon leader and 5/0 to 8/0 hooks, and a big landing net or pier gaff is needed. Cobia often go wild beside the pier or on the beach, so keep clear of the tail and head. They are superb eating; check current FWC rules before keeping one.