Cobia? We all think of the manta rays when this fish comes to mind and that's what is happening out side the port, in march!! Manta rays are showing up and if your out there on the right day with warm temps and the sun is out, chances are if you spend enough time searching you'll find one. Make sure when you do, be as quiet as possible approaching a ray as to not spook him. Reports are good right now with most rays holding 10-15 cobia seeking shade from their friends. A one ounce red and white bucktail jig with a long plastic tail attatched will do the trick to hook one of the grey ghosts. Most fish are in the 20 pound range with a few slobberknockers in the mix.
Redfishing in the Mosquito Lagoon remains solid with very low water making the schools pretty easy to find. If it's warm enough in the early morning, tailers are a sure bet for some great sight fishing action. Stealth, slow presentation, and smaller baits are the ticket. Rip Tide jerk baits in darker colors have been the best artificial while jumbo shrimp continue to be the live bait of choice. Deeper drop offs are also holding schooled up fish if you can just stay out of the "rat reds". Nothing at all wrong with the rats, as this is a very good sign on just how healthy our redfish population is.
Book quick as days are filling all the way through summer and fall!
-Capt. Jeff