Where to fish for cobia
823 charters name cobia on their own website, across 208 towns in 2 states.
State records for cobia
The heaviest cobia each state has certified, biggest first.
| State | Weight | Where | Year | Angler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 149.75 lb | Grand Isle Block 69 | 1965 | Garnett Caudellsource |
| Florida | 130.06 lb | Destin | 1997 | Peter McCollestersource |
| Alabama | 117.44 lb | — | 1995 | Benjamin Elberry Faireysource |
| North Carolina | 116.5 lb | Oregon Inlet | 2006 | Billy R. Lucas Jr.source |
| Texas | 108.44 lb | Gulf of Mexico | 1998 | Michael Albanesesource |
| Mississippi | 106.81 lb | — | 1996 | Randy McDanielsource |
| Maryland | 94.6 lb | Little Gull Shoal | 2016 | Emma Zajdelsource |
| South Carolina | 92.62 lb | Hilton Head Island | 2009 | R. Maroudassource |
| New Jersey | 90.38 lb | McCries Shoal | 2019 | Len Andalissource |
| Delaware | 89.2 lb | — | 2022 | Scott Brookssource |
| Georgia | 88.75 lb | — | 1985 | Jeffrey A. Clarksource |
Each from that state's own records page, linked on every row. A location links to its town only where the agency named that town — a record logged to "Gulf of Mexico" or an offshore block belongs to no city. Weights are printed as the agency prints them. Records are certified by the state and can be broken at any time.
How big cobia run
Federal interviewers measured 195 of them on charter trips between 2022–2024. The middle half ran 34.1–46.1 inches, with a median of 38 inches.
Separately, MRIP's catch records for those trips count 381 released against 181 kept — more put back than taken, which is what a closed season or a tight limit looks like. That is a different tally from the fish that were measured, not a breakdown of them.
NOAA Fisheries MRIP dockside interviews, 2022–2024. A sample of the fish boats brought in, not a total, and not a forecast for any one trip.
About the fish
FWC says cobia spawn in spring and early summer.
From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.
Which rules apply to your trip
- The limit is 1 per person or 2 per vessel, whichever is less, so a boat with four anglers can keep two cobia at most.
- FWC lists the same 36-inch fork length minimum and the same bag limit in state and federal waters on both coasts.
Harvest rules
When can you keep one in Florida?
Seasons and limits are set state by state, and these are Florida's. Cobia is caught by charters in 2 states on this page; ask your captain which rules apply where you are fishing.
State waters, both coasts
Gulf and Atlantic state waters.
- All anglersFWC's cobia page lists no season dates.FWC's cobia page gives size, bag and gear but no season dates.
Federal waters, both coasts
Gulf and Atlantic federal waters.
- All anglersFWC's cobia page lists no season dates for federal waters.
Gear rules
Legal gear is spears, gigs, hook and line, seine and cast net.
Questions about cobia
How big does a cobia have to be?
36 inches fork length, in state and federal waters on both coasts.
How many can we keep?
One per person or two per vessel, whichever is less. On a boat with three or four anglers, two is the limit for the boat.
Is there a closed season?
FWC's cobia page lists no open or closed dates, only the size limit, bag limit and legal gear.
Do the rules change offshore?
FWC lists the same 36-inch fork length minimum and the same bag limit (1 per person or 2 per vessel, whichever is less) for state and federal waters.
Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, cobia regulations and FWC, cobia profile in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.