Headed out today for my first cobia hunt. Set up 500 yds off the HRBT and started the 2 chum bags. First, second, and third hits were all small sharks. Then on the 4th he hit, and ran. Lucky me he ran towards the front of the boat and i was able to get him in within about 5 minutes. The next 10 fish were sharks too..
anyone know of a way to avoid catching sharks???? Hope to head out again soon. He only measured out to be 42in, but for my first cobia, she was beautiful.

Thanks for the report. Off the HRBT huh?

To think I have been running up to the IMG and Blue Fish Rock and they are hanging out in my own back yard.

We released about a 65 pounder at the spit on the 4th. Water was rough -- was the only action we saw, but made the day. You earned your stripes down at the HRBT with the rough water didn't you?

yeah it was pretty rough. you guys have problems with the sharks too??

sharks, rays and blues arejust part of the game when you are cobia fishing. there have many days ive been cobia fishing and been glad to catch one just because the cobia werent doing anything. not suprised to hear that you caught him so close to the hrbt because a few were seen wandering around on the hampton bar checking out the crab pots

Every year I intend to chase mr. Brown but this year I mean it. I need to know where to get the chum bags, what size hooks and what bait to use. I plan to take whatever list I get and head out there Saturday to the IMG. From what I've read, that seems to be the most productive location.

R/Lcypher

R/Lcypher,

Im def. not the cobia expert but i used store bought frozen chum and cut the frozen Menhaden into 2inch pieces. I did have a big problem with the 40lb leaders breaking. Must likely they were sharks so i switched to 80lb. I used circle hooks but not even sure what size they were. I know the tackle shop on north hampton and the one on shore near 13 has chum. good luck, let us know how it goes. i hear that around the oceanview pier has been productive.

Pretty Work. So what side of the HRBT were you on.... OV or Hampton.. Nice to hear you got one there....

I was on the OV side in about 11 ft of water.

just for the record I will never use a circle hook for cobia again and for cobia bait there are plenty of tiny bluefish out there just my opinion\