Cobia Fishing
on the Alabama Gulf Coast
Cobia are known by many names, including black kingfish, lemonfish, black salmon and ling. They have long bodies and flat, broad heads. There are teeth in the jaws, on the tongue and in the roof of the mouth of the cobia.
Cobia are dark brown that fades to white on the underbelly. On the flanks, there are very dark brown bands that run horizontally. Cobia have small eyes and an overshot jaw. They can grow to six feet in length and weigh a whopping 150 pounds. The average size is about thirty to forty pounds. These fish are extremely strong and put up a big fight when hooked. Although these large fish are usually solitary in nature unless spawning, they will occasionally congregate around shipwrecks, buoys are reefs. When searching for food, cobia will travel into the mangroves or estuaries. They mostly eat squid, crabs and smaller fish. Cobia will often tag along behind sharks, manta rays and turtles so they can scavenge for scraps after larger predators eat. They are very inquisitive and are not at all frightened by boats. Many captains say that cobia will follow other fish hooked on a line right up to their vessels. 
Tackle and Bait Many anglers prefer to catch cobia by spinning and plug casting. A medium or heavy rod is advisable. Twenty pound line is best for cobia fishing. Cast your lure in front of any fish that you see, reel your line so that your lure crosses the path of the cobia and hope for a hit. Sinking and diving plugs that make a lot of noise and jigs that are brightly colored are good cobia bait. A medium heavy rod is best for trolling and for bottom fishing. Twenty to thirty pound test with a minimum of two hundred yards is necessary. A four ounce egg sinker should be attached to the line close to the swivel. It is advisable to use a forty pound shock leader and a 6/0 hook. Live eels, crabs, bluerunners and pinfish are great live bait for enticing cobia to strike. Once you have hooked a cobia, the fun begins. This is not a guppy you are playing with; this is what a cobia fishing is all about! This fish is strong and will put up a fight like Muhammad Ali. Cobia are capable of damaging boats, injuring anglers and yanking rods from hands.
A Good Cobia RecipeAfter you've been cobia fishing, and successfully landed one of these huge fish, you will certainly be chomping at the bit to have it for dinner. This recipe for grilled cobia fillets is quite simple, takes minimal time and tastes great. You will need: • 4 cobia fillets
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 clove of garlic, chopped
• 1 lemon
• Rosemary
• Salt and pepper
Put the oil into a sauté pan at medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. Sauté until the garlic is cooked thoroughly. Take it off the burner and let it cool in a bowl. Once cooled, dunk the fillets through the oil. Preheat the grill to high and either oil it or spray it with non-stick spray made for grills. Place the fillets on the grill and cook for about five minutes on each side. Continue to use the seasoned oil to brush the fillets for the best flavor. When completely cooked through, transfer to a serving plate and top each fillet with a quartered lemon. The flavor is wonderful.
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