Cobia in Florida
Limits, records, best waters and stocking for cobia.
- 130.06 lbrecord
Photo: Stefanie Tellex. (talk) (Uploads), Public domain
Florida Cobia basics
Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) is managed by FWC as a saltwater species. The Florida record cobia weighed 130.06 pounds (Destin, 1997).
cobia biology
Where to find cobia
“Cobia are found in nearshore and inshore waters with inlets and bays.”
“Cobia are frequently found around buoys, pilings and wrecks in these areas.”
Life cycle of cobia
“They spawn in spring and early summer.”
“Feeds on crabs, squid and small fishes.”
Quoted from the FWC species profile.
Florida cobia limits
| Where | Bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 1 a day | 36 in minimum | Open year round |
1 per person or 2 per vessel, whichever is less. Same in Gulf and Atlantic state and federal waters.
FWC saltwater regulations, checked October 2026. All Florida limits.
Florida record cobia
| Category | Weight (lb) | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| All tackle | 130.06 | Destin | 1997 |
| Fly | 83.25 | Key West | 1986 |
| Youth | 27.6 | Panama City | 2026 |
FWC freshwater state records and Catch a Florida Memory saltwater records. Angler names left out.
Reef counties for cobia
Counties with the most reefs, where cobia hold.
- Bay County615 reef deployments
- Escambia County496 reef deployments
- Okaloosa County488 reef deployments
- Pinellas County367 reef deployments
- Miami-Dade County277 reef deployments
- Sarasota County261 reef deployments
- Volusia County191 reef deployments
- Palm Beach County154 reef deployments
- Lee County136 reef deployments
- Broward County128 reef deployments
- Collier County121 reef deployments
- Martin County121 reef deployments
- Duval County107 reef deployments
- Manatee County106 reef deployments
- St. Lucie County92 reef deployments
Other Florida saltwater fish
cobia questions and answers
Is there a size limit on cobia in Florida?
1 a day (Statewide), size: 36 in minimum.
What is the biggest cobia caught in Florida?
The record weighed 130.06 pounds (1997).
Where do I catch cobia in Florida?
Use the bay and county lists above to find cobia.
Does FWC stock cobia?
Not in the 2021-22 to 2023-24 reports for cobia.
What qualifies a cobia as a Big Catch?
cobia are not in the Big Catch program.
What species name do cobia go by?
Rachycentron canadum.
Which license do I need for cobia?
You need the Florida saltwater license at 16 and older.
When is cobia season closed?
cobia are open all year.
Where does this cobia information come from?
The FWC profile, rule pages and record lists.