UTERCobia fishing in The Everglades
In The Everglades, cobia peak November–March and are around October–April, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Winter grounds: cobia follow rays and sharks on the outside bars and in Florida Bay.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Cobia in The Everglades, month by month
- JanuaryPeakWinter grounds: cobia follow rays and sharks on the outside bars and in Florida Bay.
- FebruaryPeakStill on the Florida Bay banks and the Cape Sable bars.
- MarchPeakFish start north.
- AprilAroundTarpon on the outside; snook stage on the beaches and passes. Tarpon along the outside beaches and in the big bays; snook staging at the passes for the spawn (harvest closes the 30th). Permit on the outside wrecks.
- MayNot here
- JuneNot here
- JulyNot here
- AugustNot here
- SeptemberNot here
- OctoberAround
- NovemberPeakBack from the north for the winter.
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish cobia near Marco Island, Everglades City, Chokoloskee
Mangrove islands, tidal creeks, oyster bars and the outside beaches from Marco south to Cape Sable, then Florida Bay's shallow basins and banks. Almost none of it developed. The most tide-driven water in the state.
Fish Scouter charts 170 marker / buoy, 49 artificial reef, 48 wreck, 30 beach / surf spots in the The Ten Thousand Islands & Everglades map area — the kinds cobia hold on.
What to use for cobia
- Live eelsHooked through the lips on a 5/0 to 7/0 circle hook and sight-cast to a cobia or dropped to a cobia on a ray — the eel is the cobia bait.
- PinfishHooked through the back ahead of the dorsal on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook; the small ones free-lined, the big ones on a fish-finder rig.
- Blue crabsWhole and small for permit and tarpon; halved or quartered on the bottom for black drum, redfish and cobia.
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.
- Leader50–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook5/0–7/0
- Jig head1–1 1/4 oz
- Braid30–50 lb
Feeds in 66–84°F water, best at 68–78°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch cobia in The Everglades?
Peak season is November–March. Cobia are in The Everglades October–April. January: Winter grounds: cobia follow rays and sharks on the outside bars and in Florida Bay.
Where do cobia hold in The Everglades?
Look on beach / surf — around Marco Island, Everglades City, Chokoloskee, Flamingo.
What is the best bait for cobia in The Everglades?
Live bait: live eels, pinfish, blue crabs, blue runners (hardtails). Live eels: Hooked through the lips on a 5/0 to 7/0 circle hook and sight-cast to a cobia or dropped to a cobia on a ray — the eel is the cobia bait. Tackle: leader 50–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 5/0–7/0, jig head 1–1 1/4 oz, braid 30–50 lb.
What are the rules for cobia in The Everglades?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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