The cobia is one of the most favorite of anglers for putting up a powerful fight and is very known to be one of the heavyweights of the sea. Get to know the cobia down below!
Get to Know the Cobia
The stealthy and powerful cobia, also known as the sergeant fish is an inshore-dwelling saltwater fish. The cobia is characterized by having a brown color and a single dorsal fin. Their young, however, has a distinct and pretty unique color pattern with alternating white and black horizontal stripes with a hint of colors orange, bronze, and green.
The cobia can grow to a length of 6 feet and can grow to a very massive weight of 100 pounds and they can live up to 12 long years. The females can reproduce at age 3 and males at age 2. Cobias are known to be strong and aggressive predators that primarily hunt and feed on crustaceans, fish, and squid.
When and Where to Catch Cobia
Cobias can show up anywhere in Virginia Beach at any time, but cobia anglers prefer the early summertime up until the month of July. Cobias also love warm waters which is the reason they love living in Virginia waters during the summer. They only migrate once they feel the winter coming. The cobia is a stealthy fish and they are known to hover low in the water to surprise several types of prey such as small fish, crabs, or eels.
They are also scavengers who follow some carnivore marine species to take advantage of meat leftovers. So if you want to find some cobia, make sure to go to shoals with a high concentration of cobia prey such as the Eastern Shore shoals, Grandview and Buckroe Beach areas, and near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
How to Catch Cobia
Cobias are known to be stealthily aggressive predators with powerful fighting abilities that can give you thrill in your fishing session. Since cobias are a very heavy fish, you will need heavy-duty equipment to get the job done if you want to use rigs and baits. The fish is also known to have incredible strength and determination, so you will need to master your footwork while you wrestle with this fish.
Catching cobias is a unique experience if you’re new to a fishing method called chumming. Chumming is a type of baiting method, but you use several different prey with several different parts such as bones, fish parts, and their blood. Chumming is the most common catching technique for cobias, as well as sight fishing where you will need to spot the fish with your own eyes. Sight fishing is more difficult than chumming and is not a recommended fishing method for total beginners who want to fish for cobias.
Enjoying Your Cobia
Cobias are large and they are certainly a good seafood choice for those who want to catch them recreationally and enjoy the fish later on. Cobia flesh is also considered by NOAA as a smart seafood choice since it is well regulated by marine protection authorities, so you can be guilt-free with your cobia catch.
You can enjoy your cobia with a lot of different cooking methods, the most common methods are pan-searing, baking, sauteing, pan-frying, roasting, and frying. Eating your cobia catch is also a good culmination of your fishing experience since cobia meat contains many important nutrients and minerals that are essential to the body similar to the mahi-mahi. Cobia flesh is a good source of low-fat protein and is high in nutrients and minerals like vitamin B6, niacin, riboflavin, potassium, magnesium, and selenium.
Overall, you can definitely experiment with your catch, and see what cooking method stands out the best for your taste buds. Enjoy!