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Want a breather from serious fishing? Try a family outing on the water for simple but exciting cobia and mackerel action.
By MIKE SCARANTINO
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 4, 2002
Cobia are running along Florida's coastline, so are Spanish mackerel.
Both species make great fun for all who care to stretch their fishing string.
There are anglers who chase nothing but large, specifically targeted species such as snook, tarpon, redfish, etc. Then there are anglers who just want to anchor up, spending hours catching whatever comes along.
Cobia and mackerel are perfect for this kind of easy-going excursion. Nothing special is needed for them other than a boat that is safe and can handle a little choppy water.
Rig a couple of moderately strong rods with reels that have smooth drag systems. A few inexpensive hooks and just about any decently fresh line and leader will top off the list of tackle and gear.
Add a couple of bags of chum and a few live baits (shrimp, pinfish, scaled sardines, pigfish, lizard fish, blue runners, or small crabs) and you have the makings of a fun day.
Cobia and mackerel are highly migratory fish and will linger along this part of the coast until weather patterns turn chilly. Both species follow water temperatures and their favorite forage. Just about any kind of bait fish schools entice them to follow.
There are a few basic differences between the two fish.
Mackerel are speedy predators that strike ferociously, turn, and run with their prey. Cobia tend to be relaxed until they know they're hooked, then the fish become devilish brutes. Cobia will circle a bait, testing it before consuming it. Many are seen in pairs and small schools or pods. If one fish sees another about to strike a bait, they may compete for the food. But other than that, cobia appear lazy. Many hitchhike behind big rays and feed as the ray's swinging wings uncover small crabs and crustaceans on the bottom. The cobia is known as a crab eater, though it enjoys forage fish. This kind of easy-going fun is perfect for a day when the family is onboard.
My sons, Michael and Anthony, spent a day fishing with me and Tom Yarborough of Hudson aboard his 22-foot catamaran. Joining us were Captain Tom Post and his sons, Marty and Donald. Both are accomplished anglers, snorkelers and outdoor adventurers.
Having two boats working the same pattern in different areas makes for a productive and fun experience. When one boat gets on fish, its anglers can call in the other vessel. This kind of fishing is done best in near-shore waters 15 feet deep or less.
Cell phones are great for tag-teaming fish. Using a VHF radio to broadcast hot spots would only bring hordes of inquiring anglers.
Onboard were two types of rig.
One was a stout spinning rod in the 20-pound class. The reel held 20-pound test tied to 50-pound leader material. The hooks were number 4/0. The other rigs were seven-foot spinning rods carrying 8-pound test tied to 20-pound leader with a short length of 50-pound leader up front. Hooks 4/0 finished them off.
We carried no chum, but were cutting up dead sardines and pinfish with scissors and tossing the bits into the current. It worked well enough to land 4-5 small cobia and six good mackerel. We lost a number of fish, but when fun is the goal, who cares? The 50-pound leader allowed us to catch both fish without worry of being cut off.
Mackerel have razor-like teeth that can make fast work out of most monofilament. Cobia have sharply pointed, pencil-like spikes along their dorsal ridge. If a fish rolls over and tangles the line on one of those spikes, your relationship with that species may be over in an instant.
Fifty-pound test leader reduces those odds, but may lower the number of hook-ups you receive.
Both fish must be fought before they're in the boat.
Having a large, feisty mackerel or cobia aboard can be dangerous, especially if barefoot. A thrashing cobia with those sharp dorsal spikes could be lethal to the lower legs. Having a fresh mackerel flipping on the deck with their gnashing teeth is equally unsettling.
While both make good table fare, we brought home only a few of the mackerel for eating. All of the cobia we caught were undersized -- but no less fun to reel in -- and had to be returned to the water. The mackerel wound up being smoked, which makes them quite tasty.
Simple but exciting action is the byproduct of a day lying in wait for whatever comes along.
-- If you have a question or comment, call Capt. Mike Scarantino, (352) 683-4868.