| Among the largest game fish of the USA, cobia | | | | anglers will encounter cobia on the surface that |
| are highly sought after when they migrate into | | | | will follow a lure but refuse to bite. A few basic |
| the waters of Chesapeake Bay. Each spring, large | | | | lures, presented correctly will sometimes incite a |
| numbers of these beautiful fish enter the lower | | | | strike from an otherwise un-interested fish. |
| Chesapeake, providing a challenge to anglers from | | | | These include surface poppers, soft bodied jigs |
| Virginia ports. | | | | and other lifelike lures. The action and presentation |
| Cobia are striking fish, with striped flanks, large | | | | of lures can be critical, with experience being a |
| pectoral fins and a deeply forked tail. The fish | | | | key asset for fishermen. As with rods and reels, |
| have brown backs with a black stripe along the | | | | lures and terminal tackle need to be sturdy built |
| lateral line and white undersides. They have a wide | | | | to handle the stresses of these brutal fish. |
| blunt head and large mouth. Although most fish | | | | Saltwater fly fishing anglers also target cobia in |
| are 15 to 30 pounds, they can reach weights of | | | | the lower Chesapeake. Fly casters seek out fish |
| 100 pounds or more and lengths approaching 6 | | | | that are cruising the surface, orienting to structure |
| feet. | | | | or drawn to chum slicks. Fly rods and reels must |
| Cobia fishermen use a variety of outfits, | | | | be high quality saltwater versions, capable of |
| depending on the type of fishing. Some anglers | | | | withstanding the powerful runs of cobia. Large |
| may choose light outfits, while others employ | | | | saltwater flies that mimic local baitfish are often |
| stronger gear as these fish can reach weights of | | | | the best choice. |
| 100 lbs. For sight casting baits or lures, most | | | | Anglers that catch cobia must choose to release |
| anglers use a spinning or bait casting outfit in the | | | | the fish unharmed, or harvest it for the table. |
| 20-30 lb range. | | | | Harvested fish are kept on ice and cleaned as |
| Other situations such as chumming require similar | | | | soon as possible. The meat of cobia is white, |
| or slightly heavier conventional reels. Because of | | | | flaky and very mild tasting. |
| the cobia's size and searing runs, a smooth drag | | | | A single large fish will yield enough steaks to feed |
| and fresh, durable line is essential. | | | | several families. Fortunately, cobia is very easy to |
| Anglers fish for cobia with live bait such as spot, | | | | fillet and the meat freezes well. Cobia steaks are |
| croaker, perch, menhaden, striped mullet, eels, | | | | easily adapted to most recipes that call for a |
| shrimp, crabs and other baits. Top baits vary with | | | | white, mild tasting fish. |
| season, location, availability and personal | | | | While some anglers elect to harvest cobia for the |
| preference. Some anglers obtain live baits in local | | | | table, many are released. Catch and release |
| tackle shops while others choose to catch their | | | | anglers enjoy seeing a trophy fish swim away |
| own with cast nets, hook and line, seines or traps. | | | | unharmed and often commemorate the catch |
| Rather than fish with baits, some anglers prefer | | | | with the purchase of fish artwork or other |
| lures for cobia even though the fish have a | | | | collectibles. |
| reputation for being finicky towards them. Often, | | | | |