Nature Coast, Capt William Toney

A good run of cobia have started up the Nature Coast for most near shore anglers. Ours this past week was caught on a light G-Loomis rod meant for catching trout and redfish. After a long battle the 40lb cobia was brought boat side with a D.O.A. 1/8th oz. jig head and MirrOlure LIL John in it’s mouth. How I wished that I would have packed a heavier spinning rod. The cobia that we landed that day I would have to say it was dumb luck. We were west of the Bird Rack in 10 feet of water and two cobia were following a logger head turtle, one broke away from the turtle to eat a foul hooked pig fish. After that they disappeared. I said sometimes they will hang out beneath the boat and I dropped my jig just off the gunnel. They were both under the boat and the big one ate the jig. To catch a cobia I recommend using medium to heavy spinning tackle with 30lb. braid and 40lb. leader. To look for cobia the best areas are the Chassahowitzka  tri-pod, marker #2 in Homosassa channel, 5&6 markers in Crystal River, the Spoil Banks and Barge Canal Markers. Chumming will increase your odds, mine have always been dumb luck. Best baits are D.O.A. Bait Busters , Hogy’s and live pinfish.

The rocks west of the Bird Rack are producing trout, spanish mackerel, blue fish, flounder, sea bass, lady fish and small gag grouper. Dark colored soft plastics on a red jig head fished near the bottom will get the strike. The red fishing west of Ozello has been O.K. with most fish being caught on cut pinfish. Look for a full moon incoming high tide around mid morning. Capt. William Toney