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View Full Version : Panama City-Mar 18, 2011.....COBIA!


chumhead
03-20-2011, 09:19 PM
Things have been very busy here since the start of the new year, so I thought I would have to pick Capt Jim up off the floor when I called him and said "Lets go fishing".....first time in 2 months!

We headed out with the intent of trying for some pompano and keeping an eye out for a passing cobia. We fished for about 30 minutes and caught 1 whiting, when we decided to head a little further up the beach. No sooner than we got turned to the east Jim spots a cobia. He gives me a couple of casts at it with a large swim bait, but the cobia was not interested. Jim tosses a Hogie eel and it immediately gets slurped up. Fish on!

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e66/chumhead/PICT0282.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e66/chumhead/PICT0285.jpg

Wish I could have gotten a shot of it when it breached....was an amazing sight!

I don't know who was shaking more, Jim fighting his first cobia, or me about to gaff Jim's first cobia (unless I screw up, lol). The fish behaved very well, and presented a nice "gaff profile" so I didn't end up having to jump overboard with Jim slashing at me with his fishing pole. The fish didn't even put up much of boat thrashing you hear so much about when bringing them aboard. He went into the fish bag and on ice until he was a bit easier to handle for a pic. 40 lbs + on the scale.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e66/chumhead/PICT0286.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e66/chumhead/PICT0288.jpg

We ended up seeing at least a dozen, with a couple so large (100+ lbs) that we didn't even throw at them thinking they were sharks.....until we got a positive ID. They were all very shy, we saw many boats spot and cast at fish, but did not see another one hooked or boated all day, so we were happy with the one. We did make several turn and follow our Hogie Eels (yeah, I switched baits after that), but just couldn't get a firm commitment.

I will give you three guesses where I will be Tuesday......and the second two don't count. *rod*

chumhead
Beckcl
03-20-2011, 09:28 PM
Thats awesome! I have been hearing that they have showed up, and thats the proof.

......and if you miss one with the gaff, you can remind Jim that the first time I went fishing with yall he gaffed my line and not my Cobia! Ha!;D

I would love to make a run down and give them a try!
CFISHN
03-21-2011, 01:31 AM
DAMMMM , FLORIDA IS BEAUTIFUL !


Great fish ! fishingsmilie*
Dave
03-22-2011, 06:12 AM
I will give you three guesses where I will be Tuesday......and the second two don't count. *rod*

chumhead


I heard dat rotflmao......... and if weather patterns remain the same, fish should be right there 4 hours later (at the same tide phase) *thumbsup* Hook 'em up, Buddy *rod*

That's a perfect eatin' size cobia boys, and it good to see you and Jim back out there together again Craig... and posting up your reports here ;D *Cheers*
redneckredfishr
03-22-2011, 06:22 AM
Nice cobia. Can't wait til May rolls around.

Redneckredfishr
CharlieT
03-22-2011, 03:31 PM
Nice fish!!!

I can't stand it. With water like that you could fly fish for them.

Ya'll need to get a BIG calcutta cane pole and rig one of those eels to 20 ft of 100 lb mono as see who wins the tug-of-war!!!!

WAR EAGLE!!!
Gunnar
03-22-2011, 03:46 PM
*018**018**018*

That's just awesome !

Way to go guys *Cheers*

Gregg
lesgeaux
03-22-2011, 07:54 PM
DAMMMM , FLORIDA IS BEAUTIFUL !


Great fish ! fishingsmilie*

I second that. Great looking water. I'm used to brown waters, semi clear at best.
DWood
03-22-2011, 09:26 PM
Nice cobia. Can't wait til May rolls around.

Redneckredfishr

They're off our NC coast right now, but you have to run about 50+ mile out to get one! We got one last Thursday jigging for them in 180 feet of water (out of Carolina Beach inlet). Ours was only 35 pounds, but eats good just the same. Also caught a 25 pound blackfin tuna, 4 large red grouper which we had to throw back, then we got into the AJ's!!! Must have caught 20 of them in the 25 to 50 pound range. A long run, but worth every bounce!!*rod* Let's hope they get in close by the first of May. Got a week booked at Atlantic Beach May 9-16 to go looking for them up at the hook!!
Hope to see some of you guys then.*Cheers*
MartyJ16
03-22-2011, 09:33 PM
Dammit Chum and Jim you guys kill me!!
Serious, great job, cobia don't come easy!
Dave
03-23-2011, 07:58 AM
They're off our NC coast right now, but you have to run about 50+ mile out to get one! We got one last Thursday jigging for them in 180 feet of water (out of Carolina Beach inlet). Ours was only 35 pounds, but eats good just the same. Also caught a 25 pound blackfin tuna, 4 large red grouper which we had to throw back, then we got into the AJ's!!! Must have caught 20 of them in the 25 to 50 pound range. A long run, but worth every bounce!!*rod* Let's hope they get in close by the first of May. Got a week booked at Atlantic Beach May 9-16 to go looking for them up at the hook!!
Hope to see some of you guys then.*Cheers*

Sounds like a cabin fever bustin' trip Dan! That's good to hear about the cobia... as I recall the reports were about the same last year before our record cobia season began (HOOT). I'm planning to start my recon for cobia middle to late April... soon as the first citing in this area I hear about. Will keep you posted with reports if I find the pattern *Cheers*
chumhead
03-27-2011, 07:55 PM
Sorry I've been away, guess things haven't slowed down as much as I had hoped, lol...

Capt Jim went out with Rich from MAD on Monday and got another 55 lb'er. We hit the water again on Tuesday and it was just as clear, but south winds had it a little chopped up and more difficult to see. We spotted 3, and I had one chase the heck out of my Hogy Eel to about 6 feet from the boat, but couldn't get a take. Th.is weekend was blowing 20+, so my girlfriend, son and I hit the island for a little camping instead of fishing. Saw a lot of boats looking, but nobody casting to or catching. Conditions made spotting them pretty difficult again. Maybe I will get a shot at redemption later this week.....I think I'm on strike 19 about now with the cobia! *kickrock*

chumhead
Dave
03-28-2011, 03:46 PM
*rod* Just what I needed to hear... another great looking line of baits I just gotta have rotflmao

Say "Hey" to Rich for me, will ya, and keep at it Pal, you'll get one on soon *thumbsup* ... I'm sure of it *Cheers*