[dropcap]M[/dropcap]arch will be the month that the cobia will start coming back through the Fort Pierce area heading north. These fish will be close to the beaches out to a couple miles. The cobia will be either following manta rays or with bait schools. On days with westerly winds or if there are days with light to no wind, you will be able to sight fish cobia. Find the rays or turtles and cast behind them to see if there are any cobia following them. It will be possible to find cobia hanging around structure too. I recommend having someone stand at the highest point on the boat (that is safe) to be your lookout for these fish. I prefer to have some live bait if possible in the water as I am searching for the manta rays, as there could always be a chance for a cobia to be away from the rays and find your bait to his preference. When sight fishing for these fish they will sometimes look like sharks swimming on the surface but always check it out, it can sometimes pay off.
I suggest trolling live baits such as pilchards, greenies or sardines slowly. You should have at least one pitch rod ready to go, with a large grub, eel like lure or even a big bass worm to cast at a sighted cobia. Eels are one of cobias favorite food sources.
When you catch a cobia and get it boat side, if you are not sure that it is legal size of 33-inches to the fork of the tail, it is best to use a net to land it so you can release the fish unharmed if it is too short. Also, if at all possible to use a net to land a legal fish, it will be just a little bit calmer when landed.
Be careful after landing these fish because they are so powerful, they can destroy anything and everything in the cockpit. The best bet is to get them on ice in the cooler or fishbox and the lid locked down as soon as possible. Also be careful of the spines on a cobia’s back between the heads and dorsal fin. They are very sharp and covered with bacteria from the slime and can cause a painful puncture through your skin.
I would definitely not pass up the opportunity to target and catch these fish as they migrate through the Treasure Coast water for the next couple of months. Not only are they a great fight but also one of the best tasting fish in the sea.