UTERCobia fishing in Mississippi & Alabama Coast
In Mississippi & Alabama Coast, cobia peak April–June and are around March–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Peak of the run along Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and the Mississippi islands.
A few fall fish on the reefs before they head south.
Cobia in Mississippi & Alabama Coast, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchArrivingThe spring run arrives from Florida when the beach water hits 68; tower boats sight-cast along the Alabama beaches.
- AprilPeakPeak of the run along Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and the Mississippi islands.
- MayPeakFish settle on the nearshore reefs, buoys and gas rigs.
- JunePeakRigs and the reef zone; the run is over.
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberLeavingA few fall fish on the reefs before they head south.
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish cobia near Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi
The Mississippi Sound behind Cat, Ship, Horn and Petit Bois islands, the Biloxi Marsh to the west, Mobile Bay and the Mobile–Tensaw Delta, the Dauphin Island bridge and causeway, Perdido Bay and the Alabama beaches — with the world's biggest artificial-reef zone just offshore of Orange Beach.
Fish Scouter charts 1,918 artificial reef, 502 wreck, 3 marker / buoy spots in the Mississippi Sound & Mobile Bay 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 Mississippi & Alabama Coast?
Peak season is April–June. Cobia are in Mississippi & Alabama Coast March–October. April: Peak of the run along Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and the Mississippi islands.
Where do cobia hold in Mississippi & Alabama Coast?
Look on wreck, artificial reef, marker / buoy, beach / surf — around Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, Dauphin Island.
What is the best bait for cobia in Mississippi & Alabama Coast?
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.
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All about cobia · Mississippi Sound & Mobile Bay, the whole year