Physical description:

Often mistaken for a shark or shark sucker, the cobia species is dark brown with a single dorsal fin and occasionally found tagging along with sharks, rays, and turtles. Young cobia are more active than adults and are colored conspicuously with alternating black and white horizontal stripes with splotches of bronze, orange and green.

Biological description:

Cobia have a circumtropical distribution, and in the United States are found from Virginia to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. They may be seen migrating in the late spring through coastal waters and bays. Cobia are known to live up to 10 years and reach a length of 6 feet and a weight exceeding 100 pounds. Females are usually larger than males, and reach sexual maturity when they are 36 inches long. A male will reach sexual maturity at 24 inches. The spawning season extends from late June to mid-August along the southeastern United States and from late summer to early fall in the Gulf of Mexico. Cobia eat some fishes, although the bulk of the diet is crustaceans (thus the common name "Crab Eater").

Additional reference material:

Cobia Research Being Conducted in SC - Management Implications along Southeastern US  (M.Denson, W.Jenkins, T.Darden - SC DNR) Presentation at SAFMC Council Meeting, Mackerel Committee 9/15/09.

South Atlantic Federal Regulations

(For areas three-200 miles off the coasts of NC, SC, GA, and East Florida)

Commercial:

• Drift gillnets are prohibited.
• Must be landed with heads and fins intact.
• Minimum size limit=33" FL; Daily possession limit=2 per person. 
• Authorized gear includes automatic reel, bandit gear, hand line, rod & reel, and pelagic long-line.

Recreational:

• Drift gillnets are prohibited.
• Must be landed with head and fins intact.
• Minimum size limit=33" Fork Length; Daily possession limit =2 per person. (note: Florida state regulations allow only 1 per person/day or 6 per/vessel per day, which ever is less.)
• One day possession limit.
• Charter/headboats require a permit for Coastal Migratory Pelagics.