COBIA
No kayak fishing last week, so to keep these posts rolling, I have dug up a photo of my first – Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) AKA black kingfish, black salmon, ling, lemonfish, crabeater, prodigal son, codfish, and black bonito. They grow to be up to 172lbs, but a nice one is anyone that’s a keeper (33” long or bigger) in SE Florida. I have seen some giants off Yemen while anchored on a ship, but locally anything over 40lbs is considered a monster.
Cobias are notorious for coming alongside the vessel before they are played out, and then going crazy when gaffed. There are many stories about the Cobia that got away at the kayak. Including the one in the photo above.
Once onboard brain spikes are prudent to make sure it does not flop out of one’s hands during a photo.
In many areas of Florida, they are found by looking for turtles, rays or sharks which Cobia like to swim and feed shallow with along beaches. They are often taken by sight casting a jig head. Had my buddy been nearby a cast with a jighead might have taken the follower in the above photo.
Off Ft. Lauderdale Cobia are not that commonly found compared to other areas of Florida, the Gulf, and up the East Coast. The ones I have taken have all been deepwater surprise catches on live goggle eyes or vertical jigs.
Cobia has a texture similar to chicken and is excellent for eating. Some commercially farmed Ecuadorian Cobia escaped and have been sighted off Panama where they are considered an invasive species – look out SoCal!