Cobia

Cobia Fishing in Florida

Cobia are found in nearshore and inshore waters with inlets and bays, frequently around buoys, pilings and wrecks.

Florida rules from FWC, checked Sep 2026

Check before you keep a fish. Seasons and limits change, sometimes in the middle of a season, and a court or an agency can change them overnight. Everything here was copied from FWC in Sep 2026 and is listed with its source at the bottom of this page. We are not a regulatory authority. Confirm the current rule with your captain or with FWC before you keep a fish.

Florida state record

  • 130.06 lb Destin · March 21, 1997 · Peter McCollester

From FWC Florida Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle), checked Sep 2026. Records are certified by FWC and can be broken at any time.

About the fish

SizeUp to 6 feet and 150 pounds. Common 10 to 50 pounds
Where it livesNearshore and inshore, around buoys, pilings and wrecks
What it eatsCrabs, squid and small 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.

State waters, both coasts: when you can keep one

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.
36 inches fork lengthSize limit
1 per personDaily limit. Or 2 per vessel, whichever is less. On a boat with more than two anglers, the vessel cap is what applies.

Federal waters, both coasts: when you can keep one

Gulf and Atlantic federal waters.

  • All anglersFWC's cobia page lists no season dates for federal waters.
36 inches fork lengthSize limit
1 per personDaily limit. Or 2 per vessel, whichever is less. FWC lists the same limits as state 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.