Messengers of Spring: Gulf Coast Cobia

by: Steve Layton & Gary Finch, Finch Enterprises
Don't forget to watch Gary Finch Outdoors each Sunday morning at 6:30 AM on WTVY - Channel 4 or visit www.garyfinchoutdoors.com

Capistrano has its swallows, the Mississippi Delta has flocks of waterfowl, and the Northern Gulf of Mexico has the migration of the cobia. Just like clockwork, these various species seem to announce that a new season of the year is being introduced to their respective geographic locations and environments. When it comes to the annual migration of the cobia, there will be plenty of anticipation for this fish’s arrival.

Some of the first beachcombers, who visit Alabama and Florida, will not only be walking the white sands, but will be touring our beaches from a boat tower. The cobia migration will stretch along the Gulf Coast with anglers in Destin, Florida getting some of the first shots at slinging a bait to these fish.  

What began back in early March is the annual westward migration of the cobia. The return of this particular species to gulf waters is a signal that the upcoming saltwater fishing season is just around the corner. It’s the springtime pronouncement that other species like pompano, king mackerel, and dolphin will soon follow the cobia’s lead into warm gulf waters.

Fleets of boats will begin the ritual of slowly patrolling parallel to the beach. The goal is to spot surfacing fish that rise to sun themselves during the mid-day hours. Each boat will have its tower manned with multiple spotters who will strain their eyes to locate these brown-backed fish in shallow water. Experienced captains will tell you that the best tools for this job are keen eyes and quality sunglasses. It doesn’t hurt to have a wide brim hat or visor to block the glare of the sun. This is the ultimate in sight fishing and clear vision is mandatory.

Cobias are found around the world in temperate or tropical seas and are usually spotted beneath floating objects or while traveling with groups of turtles and rays. Since sight is such an important part of Cobia fishing, attention should be placed on anything that may hold a fish or bait. Anchored objects like buoys, boats, and oil rigs are great magnets for traveling cobia. All along their migration route, these fish will seek out any structure for fast-food along the way.

Many times, novice fishermen have spotted the Cobia’s brown colored backs in Gulf waters and mistakenly identified these fish as sharks. In the eyes of an experienced angler, something totally different and exciting is seen.

Cobias rarely exceed 100 pounds but are commonly caught in the 20-40 lb. range. The great thing about fishing for cobia is their appetite. One of their favorites is a live eel pitched in front of their path. They will strike just about any bait that is tossed, including live fish baits and colorful plastic jigs. The only problem is finding exactly which bait a cobia wants on a given day. It pays to have no less than three different baits ready to pitch at all times. While cobias do feed on a variety of baits, they can also be as finicky as a toddler in a high chair. More than one angler has been frustrated by watching a cobia simply turn his face away from a perfectly presented cast. The ability to quickly change an item on the menu can make all the difference in getting a tight-lipped fish to bite.

The bite is actually more like watching a vacuum cleaner in “attack” mode. A hungry cobia will totally engulf the bait and run dead away for a strong line-stripping battle. This fish has a large tail, flat head, and a streamlined torpedo shape that makes swimming an effortless task. It will continue to fight even after being landed, so precautions need to be taken with this powerful fish.

The cobia is one of the most prized fish along the coast and in restaurants. It is also known as cabio, ling, lemon fish, and crab eater. The world record 135 pound cobia was landed in Australia in 1985. 

Early season beach goers will encounter streams of boats gliding slowly east and west during the peak sunlight hours when visibility is best. As the migration declines so will the numbers of boats. For saltwater fishermen, that will signal that spring is officially over and summer has arrived.

Next year, the entire process will begin again. Just as flowers bloom to announce springtime on land, it’s the migration of the cobia that brings spring fishing to the gulf.