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Cobia

Cobia

Fish ID
Name: 
Cobia
Other Names: 
Black Kingfish
Black Salmon
Ling
Lemonfish
Crabeaters
Aruan Tasek
Scientific Name: 
Rachycentron canadum
Fish Habits: 

Cobia feed primarily on crabs, squid, and other fish. Cobia will follow larger animals such as sharks, turtles and manta rays in hope of scavenging a meal. Cobia are intensely curious fish and show no fear of boats. Their predators are not well documented, but the dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) is known to feed on immature Cobia. Shortfin mako sharks are known to feed on adult Cobia and have been seen by fishermen following Cobia during their annual springtime migration in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Fishing Tactics: 

Cobia are powerful fish popular among sport fishermen, and a prized table fare. Cobia are primarily sought by sight casting small Chartreuse jigs to migrating fish, or to fish following turtles or manta rays. They are a bycatch taken by commercial fishermen trolling for king mackerel, or by live menhaden slow-trolled near reefs and wrecks.

Cobia are hard fighting fish that demand a sturdy rod and reel setup. Your rod should be at least 7 feet in length with a medium-fast action tip. Since cobia are known for long runs that seem never to end, ensure that your drag system is well maintained and working properly. Conventional and spinning reels are favored for cobia. On average, line size should be in the 15-20 pound class with your leader doubling your line size. This obviously changes if you are fishing around heavy structure.

Surf and pier fishermen opt to use a 9-11 ft rod with 20-30 lb line spooled on at approx 200 yards. Fly fishermen opt for 8½–9½ 8-10 weight rod and line; weight forward, floating line with 200 yards of 20# Dacron backing

Distribution: 

Cobia are pelagic and are normally solitary except for annual spawning aggregations; however they will congregate at reefs, wrecks, harbors, buoys and other structural oases. They may also enter estuaries and mangroves in search of prey.

Cobia make seasonal migrations along the coasts in search of water in their preferred temperature range. Wintering in the Gulf of Mexico, they migrate north as far as Maryland in the Summer, passing East Central Florida in March.
They are found in areas of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans where water temperatures average 24 °C or greater. The largest taken on rod & reel was taken from Shark Bay, Australia weighing 60 kg (135 lb).