Is cobia open in the Gulf?
Live status for · rules verified 2026-08-14
Know the fish
Long, brown, shark-like fish with a broad flat head and white lateral stripe; often mistaken for a shark or remora at the surface. Galveston fish commonly 20–50 lb, with 60–80+ lb possible.
When they bite
Spring through fall as water warms; a classic sight-fishing target on calm, clear days. Best midday with good light to spot them cruising the surface near rigs and floating objects. Historical catch records along the Texas coast peak in Jun, Jul, Aug (GBIF occurrence data, coastwide).
Where & how
Where: Nearshore and offshore rigs, buoys, wrecks, weedlines, and around large surface objects and rays/turtles; also platforms and anchor lines from ~5–40 nm. They cruise near the surface around structure.
How: Sight-cast to fish spotted at rigs/buoys and surface objects with jigs or live bait, or drop/freeline live bait around structure. Keep a rigged pitch rod ready at every rig — cobia often rise to inspect the boat.
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