Sight-casting for cobia can be exciting, especially multiple fish and some trophy sized individuals are hovering at close range. But when fish are aggressive and ready to eat anything that hits the water, an angler can be disappointed when a 20-pounder takes the bait a few yards away from an 80-pounder fish.
J Baisch of Fishfull Thinking Guide Service catches his fair share of trophy-sized cobia, and he has learned from decades of experience to be strategic with his casts.
“You must pick and choose where to cast your lure or pitch your live bait,” said Baisch. “Essentially, you are playing keep-away from the smaller fish, but they are the fastest to get to the bait, and if you want to catch the big one, you have to put it in the right spot.”
At the end of the day, even a 20-pound cobia will make good fillets and memories. But if anglers want to catch the elder statesman in the group, a carefully-placed cast must be deployed.
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