[dropcap]D[/dropcap]ivers on the Treasure Coast may notice the return of cobia in large numbers to area waters in February as Valentine’s Day marks the unofficial start of the yearly migration. Many spearfishermen target the prized species but care should be taken when hunting these big game fish since they usually provide escort for much larger animals.
Divers targeting cobia should be prepared for quite a struggle since fish over 50-pounds are common this time of year. Basic safety precautions are advisable. If one diver shoots a fish the others should offer assistance in landing it before taking another. This reduces the chances of entanglement and provides a better chance of a successful outcome. Freedivers should consider rigging break away shafts with floatline and buoys in order to minimize the chances of becoming entangled in line also. Scuba divers may consider sending speared fish to the surface on a lift bag in order to reduce the chances of losing a catch or provoking an encounter with another predator
Cobia tend to follow sharks and rays around, making them an early indicator that something larger is in the area. This relationship is well known by many spearfishermen and in recent years a controversial hunting strategy has been developed to take advantage of this connection. Dive sites such as the Sand Pile in Stuart or the Deep Ledge in Jupiter tend to have higher concentrations of bullsharks along with their accompanying cobia this time of year. Known as ‘the running of the bulls’ by some, the technique involves intentionally attracting the bullsharks with bait or noise to within shooting range and spearing cobia as they swim by. Success is not guaranteed and it is common for a group of divers to lose three out of five fish to the sharks when using this technique. If successful, experienced hunters have reported 70-pound-plus fish caught during these events. .
Despite the obvious hazards, more divers are participating in these activities every year. Spearfishing in general is serious business and attracting sharks in order to shoot a huge fish is about as risky as it gets. Divers are wise to pay attention to their surroundings and make safety the top priority on the next trip offshore.