UTERCobia fishing in Florida's Big Bend
In Florida's Big Bend, cobia peak April–May and are around March–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Cobia on the shallow rocks and channel markers off Steinhatchee and Cedar Key; look under the rays.
The fall run back south.
Cobia in Florida's Big Bend, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchArrivingFirst fish on the markers and rock piles.
- AprilPeakCobia on the shallow rocks and channel markers off Steinhatchee and Cedar Key; look under the rays.
- MayPeakStill good on the rocks and the markers.
- JuneAroundGag season opens on the shallow rocks; snapper and trout at dawn. Troll big plugs over the shallow rock piles for gags; live pinfish on the ledges for snapper. Trout before eight, then it's a scallop day.
- JulyAroundScallop season — and grouper, snapper, reds on the same rocks. Anchor on the rock piles: gags and snapper below, and the reds cruise the same limestone at high water. Tripletail on the crab floats.
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberLeavingThe fall run back south.
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish cobia near Steinhatchee, Cedar Key, Crystal River
A hundred miles of undeveloped coast: vast turtle-grass flats, limestone rock piles and ledges in ten feet of clear water, spring-fed rivers, oyster bars and salt marsh. No passes, no barrier islands — the Gulf just starts.
Fish Scouter charts 336 artificial reef, 230 marker / buoy, 211 wreck, 2 beach / surf spots in the The Big Bend & Nature Coast 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 Florida's Big Bend?
Peak season is April–May. Cobia are in Florida's Big Bend March–October. April: Cobia on the shallow rocks and channel markers off Steinhatchee and Cedar Key; look under the rays.
Where do cobia hold in Florida's Big Bend?
Look on artificial reef — around Steinhatchee, Cedar Key, Crystal River, Homosassa.
What is the best bait for cobia in Florida's Big Bend?
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 Florida's Big Bend?
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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