cobia
Species Facts

Science Name: Rachycentron canadum
Other Names: ling, lemonfish, crab eater, bacalo
World Record: 135 lbs. Australia
Environment: offshore
Techniques: medium tackle, trolling

 

Description

Long, slim fish with broad depressed head; lower jaw projects past upper jaw; dark lateral stripe extends through eye to tail; first dorsal fin comprised of 7 to 9 free spines; when young, has conspicuous alternating black and white horizontal stripes.

Habitat
Cobias prefer the shallow waters (less than 60 feet deep) of the Southeastern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. They are commonly found near natural or manmade structures such as reefs, wrecks, floating, objects, buoys and shelves. Little information is confirmed regarding their migratory patterns, although it is known that they move from inshore to offshore environs throughout the year. They will spwan offshore in the late spring (April and May) and the larvae will move shoreward. Young cobias will form large schools, evenually becoming more solitary as they mature.

Feeding Habits
Although cobia eat fishes such as mackerels and eels, the bulk of the diet is crustaceans-shrimps and crabs. Thus the common name, crab eater.

Tips for Fishing

The three most popular ways in the bay are chumming, structure fishing, and trolling.