Species
Cobia
Rachycentron canadum
Tier 3Eating9/10medium tackleNSWQLDWANT
36 waypoints80–130 cm (max 200 cm) typical
Regulations
NSWbag 2QLD75 cm min · bag 2
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | — | 2 |
| QLD | 75 cm min | 2 |
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about cobia
Hard-fighting pelagic prowler of northern NSW, QLD and northern Australia — often shadows rays, sharks and FADs. Targeted by sight-casting big soft plastics, jigs and live baits. Excellent eating and a serious adversary on spin gear.
Biology: Cobia size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Inshore, Offshore, Pelagic, Reef
- Typical size
- 80–130 cm (max 200 cm)
- Weight
- 8–25 kg (max 60 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–60 m
- Diet
- crabs, squid, baitfish
- Most active
- diurnal
- Global range
- Pantropical and subtropical
How to target: Cobia angling strategies
Generally fished with medium tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- live mullet or yakkas around isolated reefs, beacons and FADs
- soft plastics and stickbaits cast at sighted fish on shallow reef
- large bucktail jigs dropped on offshore wrecks
Safety & handling
Ciguatera risk: lowAvoid eating large specimens from tropical reefs. Risk varies by region and individual fish — when in doubt, release.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught cobia
No cobia catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: cobia fishing spots in Australia
Queensland28
- 10 mile North endReef · QLD-26.60°
- 18 mile MiddleReef · QLD-26.57°
- 18 mile NorthReef · QLD-26.53°
- 18 mile SouthReef · QLD-26.58°
- 21 mile edge of the Barwon Banks in MiddleReef · QLD-26.55°
- 85m Ridge of the Barwon BanksReef · QLD-26.47°
- Caloundra Wide Northern endReef · QLD-26.70°
- Caloundra Wide South Western endReef · QLD-26.85°
- Cape Moreton Bait markBait Ground · QLD-27.05°
- Capricorn Coast FADBait Ground · QLD-23.15°
- Chardons Reef off NoosaReef · QLD-26.43°
- Hutchison Shoal off Cape MoretonShoal · QLD-26.93°
- Murphys ReefReef · QLD-26.68°
- Noosa Bait spot North of Sunshine ReefBait Ground · QLD-26.33°
- North of Hutchison ShoalsShoal · QLD-26.92°
- Northern Little ShipsReef · QLD-26.25°
- Rooneys PointHeadland · QLD-24.83°
- Smiths RockReef · QLD-26.98°
- Sothern end of Barwon banksReef · QLD-26.71°
- Southern Little Ships MarksReef · QLD-26.38°
- Spot X bait spot west of Murphy'sBait Ground · QLD-26.70°
- Tiger Kelly wreckWreck · QLD-26.60°
- Top of the Barwon Banks Northern endReef · QLD-26.47°
- Western end of the TrenchReef · QLD-26.88°
- Wide Bay Artificial ReefReef · QLD-25.90°
- Wreck 11 miles East of MooloolabaWreck · QLD-26.70°
- Wreck of the Centaur/Kyogle off Cape MoretonWreck · QLD-27.00°
- Wreck of the JodieWreck · QLD-26.73°
New South Wales7
Western Australia1
More information: cobia references & sources
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