UTERCobia fishing in Indian River Lagoon
In Indian River Lagoon, cobia peak March–April and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. March: Spring run off Canaveral: fish on the buoys, rays and turtles. Sight-cast a bucktail.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Cobia in Indian River Lagoon, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryArrivingThe first migrants moving north with the rays.
- MarchPeakSpring run off Canaveral: fish on the buoys, rays and turtles. Sight-cast a bucktail.
- AprilPeakPeak at Canaveral and off the beaches.
- MayLeavingThe tail of the run.
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish cobia near Melbourne, Cocoa, Titusville
Mosquito Lagoon, the Banana River and the northern Indian River Lagoon — shallow, clear, grass-and-sand flats famous for sight-fishing tailing redfish and giant trout — plus Port Canaveral and Ponce Inlet, the beaches, and the nearshore reefs.
Fish Scouter charts 489 marker / buoy, 118 wreck, 85 artificial reef, 11 beach / surf spots in the The Space Coast Lagoons 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 Indian River Lagoon?
Peak season is March–April. Cobia are here year-round. March: Spring run off Canaveral: fish on the buoys, rays and turtles. Sight-cast a bucktail.
Where do cobia hold in Indian River Lagoon?
Look on wreck, artificial reef, beach / surf — around Melbourne, Cocoa, Titusville, Port Canaveral, New Smyrna Beach.
What is the best bait for cobia in Indian River Lagoon?
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 Indian River Lagoon?
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
Fish Scouter scores cobia for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
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All about cobia · The Space Coast Lagoons, the whole year