PATTERNS

SPRING

• During the spring months, cobia begin their northward migration along the East Coast, following warming water temperatures and baitfish migrations. Target them in nearshore and offshore waters using live bait such as eels, menhaden, or croaker, as well as artificial lures such as bucktail jigs, soft plastics, and swimbaits. Look for them around structures such as buoys, wrecks, and artificial reefs, as well as along the coast and in the mouths of rivers and bays.

  
  

SUMMER

• In the summer, cobia are abundant in nearshore and offshore waters off the Mid-Atlantic coast, particularly around structures such as buoys, wrecks, and artificial reefs. Target them using live bait or artificial lures, as well as sight-fishing techniques such as casting to fish spotted on the surface. Focus on areas with strong currents, upwellings, and temperature breaks where cobia are likely to congregate and feed on baitfish schools.

FALL

• As temperatures begin to cool in the fall, cobia may still be present in nearshore and offshore waters off the Mid-Atlantic coast, especially in the southern reaches of their range. Target them using similar techniques as in the summer, focusing on areas with concentrations of baitfish and other prey species. Look for them around structures such as buoys, wrecks, and artificial reefs, as well as along the coast and in the mouths of rivers and bays.

WINTER

• During the winter months, cobia migrate southward to warmer waters, such as the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, where they spend the colder months feeding and spawning. While cobia may be less abundant in nearshore and offshore waters off the Mid-Atlantic coast during the winter, anglers can still target other species such as striped bass, bluefish, and black sea bass using a variety of techniques and baits.