UTERCobia fishing in The Florida Keys
In The Florida Keys, cobia peak December–March and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: The Keys are the winter mixing ground for both stocks — fish on the Gulf-side wrecks and following rays in the backcountry; reef wrecks on the oceanside.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Cobia in The Florida Keys, month by month
- JanuaryPeakThe Keys are the winter mixing ground for both stocks — fish on the Gulf-side wrecks and following rays in the backcountry; reef wrecks on the oceanside.
- FebruaryPeakStill on the wrecks and under rays on the Gulf side.
- MarchPeakFish start leaving north up both coasts.
- AprilLeavingTarpon month begins — bridges, channels and the oceanside. Tarpon at Bahia Honda, Seven Mile and every channel bridge on the tide change; permit on the flats and the wrecks. Yellowtail on the reef at night.
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberArrivingThe winter fish arrive.
- DecemberPeakOn the wrecks and in the chum slick behind the shrimp boats on the Gulf side.
Where to fish cobia near Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon
Oceanside flats and patch reefs inside the reef line, the reef itself, then the Gulf-side banks and basins of Florida Bay and the backcountry. Bridges and channels connect the two. The clearest, warmest water in the state.
Fish Scouter charts 695 artificial reef, 565 marker / buoy, 340 wreck, 43 beach / surf spots in the The Florida Keys 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 Florida Keys?
Peak season is December–March. Cobia are here year-round. January: The Keys are the winter mixing ground for both stocks — fish on the Gulf-side wrecks and following rays in the backcountry; reef wrecks on the oceanside.
Where do cobia hold in The Florida Keys?
Look on wreck, artificial reef, marker / buoy — around Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine, Key West.
What is the best bait for cobia in The Florida Keys?
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 Florida Keys?
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/.
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