Cobia
AKA: Ling / Crab Eater / Lemonfish / Bacalao Family: Bastard
| Water: Salt |
Where: Offshore / Surf |
| Size: Most commonly caught at 20-60 pounds. Large fish may reach 80 pounds with the capability of reaching 100 pounds plus. |
| Fight: Very unpredictable. Capable and willing to make monster runs, but also just as likely to play it easy and save its fight for the landing. |
| Deliciousness: Excellent |
| Range: Both Coasts |
Technique: Drifting / Still Fishing / Casting / Trolling |
| Baits: Shrimp / Baitfish / Crab / Lures / Flies |
Tackle: Spinning / Baitcasting / Fly Fishing |
The cobia is characterized by its shark like appearance, with a darker topside fading to a whiteish underside. A dark stripe maybe present running along its flanks leading to a large forked tail. The head is almost flattened and long, tapering to a large jaws, with the lower jetting out. Behind the head and up to the dorsal fin, there are many small sharp finlets.
These fish anre found anywhere from well inland to the open sea, encountered often at deep structure and the surface.
Live baitfish as well as dead shrimp, baitfish and squid are the best natural baits, while spoons, plugs and topwater tube lures are the best artificial bait.
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