Cobia Fishing On The Flats Of Key West, Fl

Report Date: February 4, 2004

So the weather is finally changed for the better. The last few days we have had a southeast wind @ 12 knots with lots of blue sky and a daytime temp. @ 78degrees.
Lots of fish around, take your pick. Permit, Barracuda, Shark, a few Tarpon and even some Cobia.

Cobia?

A Cobia is a scavenger fish. Generally found in deeper water on wrecks and or rock piles in the Gulf of Mexico and or the Atlantic Ocean. At first appearance they look like a Shark. This time of year they will often adventure onto the flats in search of food and warmer water. Often the Cobia are traveling on the back of a sting Ray looking for by catch, in the mud the Rays create while they themselves are searching for food.

The other days we caught a couple on a buck tale jigs while searching for Tarpon in a creek just off the edge of the Flat. Then today while Permit fishing we caught one on a barracuda tube. These fish often jump and put up a heck of a fight on the flat. As do all of these fish on light tackle on the flats. The fish have nowhere to run but away from the boat. Instead of surging to deeper water they run and often jump in sheer panic to find deeper water. An added bonus to catching a Cobia is that they make for good eating. They have a firm white meat, almost steak like, however, very mild in flavor.

Hey maybe you may be lucky enough to catch one of these bad boys on your next or first adventure down here in the Keys.

 

Back to Main Fishing Report Page