Cobia fishing trips and tips, hard fighting, good eating

Article by: Capt. Rick Bennett

Cobia Fishing Trips and Tips

One of the hardest fighters pound for pound, cobia are also excellent at the dinner table. Cobia have several habits that distinguish themselves from other fishes. They like to follow closely behind a slow moving boat propeller; they pick up a bait and run significant distances before swallowing it; and they typically swim in pairs. At different times of the year cobia can be caught near the beach, at near shore artificial reefs and offshore. They love CRABS!

Generally speaking in May cobia are following schools of menhaden traveling along the coastal beaches of southeastern N.C. Several methods can be utilized to take advantage of this situation. Using a large Hopkins lure, throw it into the school and snag a menhaden. Then put the menhaden on a live bait rig and slow troll along the edge of the school and hold on hard. Another way is to load a DOA Big Fish Lure with Pro Cure and cast it into the school of menhaden. The cobia will single out the “different” looking fish and attack. A third way is to cast a big heavy Hopkins into the school and jig it violently.

Once the cobia is hooked the really hard part of your efforts begin. Expect several short bursts or runs or a long run or two; both are virtually unstoppable. When you get the cobia near the boat, the fight is not over. These fish have been known to circle the boat many times, lunge deeper and just be difficult before getting close enough to gaff.

Speaking of gaffs and gaffing, be sure you have a gaff strong enough for the size and type fish you intend “to stick”. I personally have had a 6’ 4” hook bent and twisted by an estimated 50 pound cobia. Once you have gaffed a cobia, DO NOT let him off the gaff until he is securely in your cooler. This is not a joke. Cobia “slipped” off the gaff have been known to do lots of damage to both the boat and the fishermen on the boat.

Very possibly the most popular area in North Carolina for targeting cobia is the Morehead City and Cape Lookout area. Many a big cobia have been caught from near the Morehead Terminal, from behind Shackleford Banks and “in the hook” of Cape Lookout. In fact they have a cobia tournament every year. But don’t overlook southeastern North Carolina for cobia near inlets and offshore reefs.

Tackle for cobia, depending on size should include a 20-60 pound class rod, 6000 to 8000 class spinning reel or 20-40 pound class conventional reel, and 20 pound line minimum and up to 65 pound. Rigs for fishing anchored are typically Carolina style with a 2 to 4 oz. egg weight, 80 pound leader and a snelled 9/0 or 10/0 hook. For trolling a typical king mackerel rig will work well. Live bait include menhaden, bluefish, eels and spots. Dead bait can be all the just mentioned plus crabs and squid. Favorite artificials are large bucktails and eels. If you are trolling for kings and mahi with live bait, be sure to put a live bait just behind the prop wash. Many cobia have been caught from this positioning.

I hope you are enjoying this series of articles on catching inshore and near shore fishes. Check back often for future articles.

Good Fishing!

Capt. Rick Bennett, Ret.
www.rod-man.com
rodman@rod-man.com

Capt. Rick Bennett

A lifetime fisherman, Capt. Rick Bennett, better known as the Rod-Man,has retired from the day to day activities as a charter boat captain but does offer “ON YOUR BOAT” Guided Fishing Trips. Capt. Rick will show you the when, the where and the how. From rod and reel selection to terminal tackle to bait, Capt. Rick has the know how.