Downsizing is not a bad thing when cobia fishing
Cobia are big, powerful fish. But a lot of fishermen sight-fish for them with tackle that might not appear heavy enough – because they need a rod tip with enough action for long casts.
“A lot of people use heavy gear for cobia, but I tend not to,” said guide Joe Ward. “You can take a smaller rod — I like to use jigging rods — and you can fish all day and not get tired. I like a 6000 class spinning reel with 50-pound braid on the reel. And I use an 80-pound fluorocarbon leader to throw a 2-ounce bucktail.”
Guide Ken Dempsey fishes a 7-foot Penn Power Stick that’s rated for 15- to 40-pound test He mates it with a Penn 760 Slammer reel spooled with 25-pound monofilament. He finishes it off with an 8-foot shock leader of 40-pound mono.
Ronnie Pruitt of Harkers Island Tackle advises anglers who are bottom-fishing for cobia with bait to use a fish-finder bottom rig. That will allow a cobia to pick up the bait without feeling the sinker. With braided line on the reel, he slides the plastic sleeve of the fish finder rig onto the fluorocarbon leader. He said braided line will cut through the plastic. He said Sea Striker makes a fish-finder rig with a sleeve that’s “braid friendly.”
Cobia love to eat live bait like bluefish
As far as live and cut bait, Pruitt said that a 10- to 12-inch bluefish is as good as it gets. He’ll also use cut mullet or cut bluefish. He hooks them up with an 8/0 circle or J hook.
As far as bucktails are concerned, 2- and 3-ounce baits are preferred for the long casts often needed to reach cruising fish. Guide Ken Dempsey has a backup rod at hand with a smaller bait tied on in case a big cobia turns its nose up at his first offering.
“You have to remember that cobia were not as popular several years ago as they are now,” he said. “I think they’re adapting to the fishing pressure. It used to be you could throw a 2- or 3-ounce bucktail in front of one, and he’d eat it. Not now. You need a backup bait ready. I’ll have a ¾-ounce bucktail tied on. I’ll also sometimes have a 6-inch Gulp! jerkshad on a half-ounce (jig) head ready.”
