Cobia
The Cobia, (Rachycentron canadus) commonly known as "Ling", is in a family by
itself with no close relatives to clutter the picture.
Wherever you catch him, the Cobia is one of the best
gamefish to be found in southern waters. Ling are very inquisitive fish coming right to
the boat as if to say "what's up?" One thing for certain, it is a fish that
refuses to follow the rules. One day you will find him lolling near the surface close to a
patch of sea grass or timber. You can cast your arm off with every artificial and natural
bait you have, and he will refuse to give your offerings a glance. The next day he will
savagely attack anything you offer the second it touches the water. At other times he will
be sulking in deep water practically on the bottom.
Favorite hangouts for Ling are under or around floating
clumps of seaweed, large pieces of driftwood, buoys, sunken wrecks, and offshore
structures.
Small live baitfish are the best baits, although they
will eat shrimp, cutbait, and blue crabs. I have heard of that live hardhead catfish are
deadly baits, imagine that, a hardhead is good for something. Artificials work good also.
The main thing to remember is, that there are times when they are extremely choosy about
what kind of bait they will accept.
