Cobia

[South FLA]

I fish for Cobia during the summer months and this thing is HUGE!

 

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/excursions/post/enormous-cobia-speared-off-brazil-is-nearly-30-pounds-heavier-than-world-record/

[BassinLou]

That fish was a freak!!! 

[00 mod]

That is an absolute BEAST of a cobia!

 

Jeff

[Darren.]

Good gravy, man! That's an amazing specimen!

[Teal]

Omg! I've seen them in the Chesapeake bay around buoys and have targeted them with bucktails and or fly rods ect...I've caugh my fair share

Simply put, I'm no stranger to cobia, but if I came across one that big I would probably poop on my self.

[flyfisher]

that thing is ridiculous.

[A-Jay]

That's pretty crazy.

 

Here's another shot.

 

A-Jay

 

[SirSnookalot]

I didn't think Cobia got that big.  I do my share of Cobia fishing, most of the time they are fairly shallow 10-80 fow. We look for Cobia trailing Rays, bucktail tipped with squid.  I caught this one when I was young man with fresh water spinning tackle.  Caught in Key West and sold it to a restaurant chef.

[00 mod]

Omg! I've seen them in the Chesapeake bay around buoys and have targeted them with bucktails and or fly rods ect...I've caugh my fair share

Simply put, I'm no stranger to cobia, but if I came across one that big I would probably poop on my self.

 

 

We used to slow down and cruise by every marker buoy on the way out into the gulf looking for "lemonfish"  Very fun way to target them!

 

Jeff

[SirSnookalot]

The reason to spot Rays is that when they move their "wings" in shallow water, they kick up crustaceans off the bottom, cobia love to trail the rays to feed.

[fishingman88]

Definitely a beast of a cobia.  It completely crushes the current world record.  Largest cobia I've seen in person is 80lbs and that new world record makes it look like a dwarf. 

[sgeggie]

I'll be fishing off Siesta Key in March and don't know much about saltwater fishing.    I plan on using my Musky rig (St. Croix, 8' H/F, Shimano Calcutta D400, 80 lb braid, 100lb Flouro Leader).   

 

What types of baits and techniques do you recommend for the Gulf?

[SirSnookalot]

I'll be fishing off Siesta Key in March and don't know much about saltwater fishing.    I plan on using my Musky rig (St. Croix, 8' H/F, Shimano Calcutta D400, 80 lb braid, 100lb Flouro Leader).   

 

What types of baits and techniques do you recommend for the Gulf?

Not enough information.  What's your target species, are planning on casting lures, trolling, drifting with live or cut bait, boat (private or public and size), beach or seawalls?  

First of all an 8' rod if you are fishing a center console boat, bimini top can get in the way if you are casting a lot bigger boat may be ok.  Even many cabin cruisers the fishing area in the back is limited, I think the rod is too long. 

Had to look it up, but that reel holds only 140 yds of 80# braid, not enough line IMO and 100 lb leader, overkill unless you are targeting something like yellowfin tuna, then your reel is underpowered with an insufficient amount of line.  The reel has 2 little cranking knobs, not 1 larger power knob like just about every pure saltwater reel I can think of. Your reel is fine for muskie, but you aren't fishing for muskie here, the unexpected can happen at anytime, it's different ballgame, it's using your drag with line capacity here.

If I were making my first trip to the salt, sure I'd take it, but fishing in saltwater for 30 some odd years I recommend you leave it at home, just trying to save you from some trouble, just seen it happen too many times.  As I stated it's all about the target fish, water and style of fishing, your outfit IMO is just not a deep water outfit, it would be ok in the back country.  Believe me a 100 tarpon can easily strip out more than 150 yds of line, I think your line is too heavy and not enough of it.

[sgeggie]

Not enough information.  What's your target species, are planning on casting lures, trolling, drifting with live or cut bait, boat (private or public and size), beach or seawalls?  

First of all an 8' rod if you are fishing a center console boat, bimini top can get in the way if you are casting a lot bigger boat may be ok.  Even many cabin cruisers the fishing area in the back is limited, I think the rod is too long. 

Had to look it up, but that reel holds only 140 yds of 80# braid, not enough line IMO and 100 lb leader, overkill unless you are targeting something like yellowfin tuna, then your reel is underpowered with an insufficient amount of line.  The reel has 2 little cranking knobs, not 1 larger power knob like just about every pure saltwater reel I can think of. Your reel is fine for muskie, but you aren't fishing for muskie here, the unexpected can happen at anytime, it's different ballgame, it's using your drag with line capacity here.

If I were making my first trip to the salt, sure I'd take it, but fishing in saltwater for 30 some odd years I recommend you leave it at home, just trying to save you from some trouble, just seen it happen too many times.  As I stated it's all about the target fish, water and style of fishing, your outfit IMO is just not a deep water outfit, it would be ok in the back country.  Believe me a 100 tarpon can easily strip out more than 150 yds of line, I think your line is too heavy and not enough of it.

 

Thanks for the good information.   I usually go in March each year.   We will fish both on the inter-coastal (redfish, speckled trout, snook, sheepshead) and we will go into the gulf about 5-10 miles.   (We have caught pompano, reds, sheepshead.....and I'd like to try for grouper, snapper, or cobia).

 

I was really impressed (and remain impressed) with the power of the Calcutta D 400 reel.   In fact, I watched Larry Dahlberg catch a 200 lb tarpon on one in Trinidad.  (using ribbonfish as bait).     I do see your point about line.

 

I noticed that some kayak enthusiasts use outfits similar to what I've described for tarpon..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmS1Ee1trV4

 

and cobia,,,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcErt0ywmE4

 

 

 

 

 

What would your ideal outfit be for casting from a dual console boat (deep v) for grouper, snapper, cobia, and tarpon?

[SirSnookalot]

Thanks for the good information.   I usually go in March each year.   We will fish both on the inter-coastal (redfish, speckled trout, snook, sheepshead) and we will go into the gulf about 5-10 miles.   (We have caught pompano, reds, sheepshead.....and I'd like to try for grouper, snapper, or cobia).

 

I was really impressed (and remain impressed) with the power of the Calcutta D 400 reel.   In fact, I watched Larry Dahlberg catch a 200 lb tarpon on one in Trinidad.  (using ribbonfish as bait).     I do see your point about line.

 

I noticed that some kayak enthusiasts use outfits similar to what I've described for tarpon..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmS1Ee1trV4

 

and cobia,,,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcErt0ywmE4

 

 

 

 

 

What would your ideal outfit be for casting from a dual console boat (deep v) for grouper, snapper, cobia, and tarpon?

Firstly just because a celebrity fisherman catches a nice fish using a certain reel doesn't make it the best choice and we never knew how many fish were lost before viewing the final take.  If you have ever seen tarpon tournaments on tv you may notice that they are using reels that do not have level winds and most have lever drags.  I have heard the commentators mention that they use 50 lb braid with drags set about 15 lb.  Most of those fish caught are 100-175#.  Not that a fish that size can't be caught on lighter gear but that's what the professional tarpon fishermen use.

 

You have described different types of fish and different areas to catch them.  In bass fishing it's not uncommon to have a number of combos tailored for lure types, techniques and so on.  The case is the same in saltwater but amplified much more, unlike bass fishing the fish out there can run from 1 # to well over a 100#, different species when hooked fight differently.  Some run on the surface jumping like billfish, others like amberjack don't jump and run deep.  There really isn't a 1 combo fits all.  

 

 

All that said, your present combo will work fine in the ICW, it's usable offshore I would put on 50 lb braid so at least you'll have line capacity and 60 lb leader should be enough.  I'm still not excited about it for offshore, or would I be with any level wind reel, but use what you have.  I'm a spinning user for the most part, 1 of my combos that I always have with me offshore is a 7' 40# rod, 7000 Penn reel (never set that tight but has 32# of drag) with about 300 yds of 30# braid, I use 40# leaders.  Have caught everyone of the fish on your wish list with it.

[sgeggie]

Firstly just because a celebrity fisherman catches a nice fish using a certain reel doesn't make it the best choice and we never knew how many fish were lost before viewing the final take.  If you have ever seen tarpon tournaments on tv you may notice that they are using reels that do not have level winds and most have lever drags.  I have heard the commentators mention that they use 50 lb braid with drags set about 15 lb.  Most of those fish caught are 100-175#.  Not that a fish that size can't be caught on lighter gear but that's what the professional tarpon fishermen use.

 

You have described different types of fish and different areas to catch them.  In bass fishing it's not uncommon to have a number of combos tailored for lure types, techniques and so on.  The case is the same in saltwater but amplified much more, unlike bass fishing the fish out there can run from 1 # to well over a 100#, different species when hooked fight differently.  Some run on the surface jumping like billfish, others like amberjack don't jump and run deep.  There really isn't a 1 combo fits all.  

 

 

All that said, your present combo will work fine in the ICW, it's usable offshore I would put on 50 lb braid so at least you'll have line capacity and 60 lb leader should be enough.  I'm still not excited about it for offshore, or would I be with any level wind reel, but use what you have.  I'm a spinning user for the most part, 1 of my combos that I always have with me offshore is a 7' 40# rod, 7000 Penn reel (never set that tight but has 32# of drag) with about 300 yds of 30# braid, I use 40# leaders.  Have caught everyone of the fish on your wish list with it.

 

I think I may make some saltwater investments.   Thanks for your help.  

[NEjitterbugger]

I saw that!! Absolutely INSANE!

[SirSnookalot]

I think I may make some saltwater investments.   Thanks for your help.  

Unless you plan on making repeated trips I wouldn't invest too much money, although changing your line I think is the way to go and that isn't too expensive and it's useful where ever you'll be fishing.  My intent was purely meant to save your reel from being damaged, it's a nice reel for what you use it for.  

[sgeggie]

Firstly just because a celebrity fisherman catches a nice fish using a certain reel doesn't make it the best choice and we never knew how many fish were lost before viewing the final take.  If you have ever seen tarpon tournaments on tv you may notice that they are using reels that do not have level winds and most have lever drags.  I have heard the commentators mention that they use 50 lb braid with drags set about 15 lb.  Most of those fish caught are 100-175#.  Not that a fish that size can't be caught on lighter gear but that's what the professional tarpon fishermen use.

 

You have described different types of fish and different areas to catch them.  In bass fishing it's not uncommon to have a number of combos tailored for lure types, techniques and so on.  The case is the same in saltwater but amplified much more, unlike bass fishing the fish out there can run from 1 # to well over a 100#, different species when hooked fight differently.  Some run on the surface jumping like billfish, others like amberjack don't jump and run deep.  There really isn't a 1 combo fits all.  

 

 

All that said, your present combo will work fine in the ICW, it's usable offshore I would put on 50 lb braid so at least you'll have line capacity and 60 lb leader should be enough.  I'm still not excited about it for offshore, or would I be with any level wind reel, but use what you have.  I'm a spinning user for the most part, 1 of my combos that I always have with me offshore is a 7' 40# rod, 7000 Penn reel (never set that tight but has 32# of drag) with about 300 yds of 30# braid, I use 40# leaders.  Have caught everyone of the fish on your wish list with it.

 

 

What do you think of this for cobia, tarpon, in Siesta Key....

 

 

St. Croix, 8' H/F,

Shimano Calcutta D400

30 lb braid  (I want to make sure I have plenty of line)

8' 40 lb Mono shock leader

18"  80lb fluorocarbon leader

 

 

[SirSnookalot]

What do you think of this for cobia, tarpon, in Siesta Key....

 

 

St. Croix, 8' H/F,

Shimano Calcutta D400

30 lb braid  (I want to make sure I have plenty of line)

8' 40 lb Mono shock leader

18"  80lb fluorocarbon leader

 

 

Trying to be objective, the set up will work just fine, as I've stated before it's something I wouldn't use but I realize that you own the equipment already.

Make no mistake, a cobia is one tuff hombre, if you land one watch the spines behind the neck.  I think 30# braid is good, I probably would go with 40-60# leader mono or F/C 4-8' (real leader, not cut from a mono spool), I would forgo the 80lb don't see the need for it or another connecting knot.

I don't know what kind of bait you will be using, cobia will hit frozen sardine, live bait fish, bucktail jig tipped with squid is a real good choice, bear in mind smaller fish will go nuts on the squid too.  One of the keys to cobia is fishing in 10-20' looking for big rays, they kick up crustaceans and cobia like to trail them, then sight cast.

 

I do not fish for large tarpon, I enjoy the juveniles up to about 40# strictly using artificials and spinning gear.  I think your setup will work just fine for them.  I've had success using bucktail jigs, jerk shad on jig head, hard lures like an xrap, storm wild eyed shads.  You don't need a big bait for a tarpon, I go anywhere from a 1/4 oz to an ounce.