Cobia

     Rachycentron canadum, or Cobia, is a long slim fish with black stripes that alternate all over its body. By no means is Cobia a small fish. Cobia commonly weigh 30 pounds. The record catch for Cobia came in weighing 103 pounds and 12 ounces. 
     There are two main methods to catching Cobia, plugging and casting. Both plugging and casting work effectively to catch Cobia. When trolling for Cobia you should use live baits such as grunts, eels, pinfish, and crab. When casting for Cobia you use a method called site fishing. Site fishing is when you wait until you see the fish to cast for it. Once you see the Cobia cast ahead of it so when your reeling in the lure it will cross paths with the Cobia. When site casting you should always use bright lures, never use live bait. 
      Cobia are a warm water fish and migrate according to water temperature. During the winter and fall Cobia will be down south near Florida. As the water starts to warm up they will start to migrate north. Cobia are commonly found near wrecks and reefs in the ocean. During the spring time when the water is clear you can easily site cast for Cobia. What you do is try and find a big shadow in the water. This shadow indicates that there is a stingray. Cobia are known for swimming with rays, therefore if you see the ray you most likely are near Cobia. 
     Cobia is one of the highest rated fish in terms of taste and texture. Here is a recipe courtesy of "Epicurious"


Ingredients 


2 Cobia (or other fish) steaks or filets

For the sweet potato bed:
1 large sweet potato
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

For sweet/hot sauce:
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup white wine
1/3 cup diced onion
1/3 cup diced bell pepper
1/3 cup diced carrot
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon habenero hot sauce (or to taste)
1 teaspoon dried thyme


Instructions


Cook sweet potatoes your favorite way until tender (bake, boil or steam). Mash with the remaining sweet potato bed ingredients.

While potatoes are cooking, combine first 6 ingredients for the sauce. Reduce until the sauce is about 1/3 its original volume, then add hot sauce, thyme and butter and simmer for 2 minutes.

Salt and pepper fish and grill until just done.

To serve, spread the sweet potatoes on the plate, place grilled fish on top, then spoon on a generous amount of the sweet/hot sauce. 

Works Cited

"Carribean Cobia Recipe at Epicurious.com." Epicurious.com: Recipes, Menus, Cooking Articles & Food Guides. Web. 15 Oct. 2010. <http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/CARRIBEAN-COBIA-1220618>.

"Cobia (ling), Fish Identification." Indian River County, Florida - Home Page. Web. 15 Oct. 2010. <http://indian-river.fl.us/fishing/fish/cobia.html>.

Dunaway,      , By Vic. "Cobia Fishing, Habitat, Bait and Fishing Tackle Used to Catch Cobia." Florida Fishing and Boating, Fishing Reports, Tournaments, Knots, Classifieds, Fishing Knives, Fishing Books, Gifts And... Web. 15 Oct. 2010. <http://www.fish4fun.com/cobia.htm>.