MOREHEAD CITY – The recreational cobia season begins May 1, and the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding anglers that the regulations have changed.
The recreational cobia season will run May 1 to Dec. 31 with a minimum size limit of 36 inches fork length (tip of the snout to the fork in the tail) and a possession limit of one fish per person per day.
For private boats, from May 1 to May 31, the maximum limit will be one fish per person per day, not to exceed two fish per vessel per day, regardless of the number of anglers on board.
For private boats, from June 1 to Dec.31, the maximum vessel limit will be one fish per vessel per day, regardless of the number of anglers on board.
For for-hire operations (charter boats, head boats, guide boats), from May 1 to Dec. 31, the vessel limit will be four fish per vessel per day, or one fish per person per day if fewer than four people are on board.
Anglers must return all cobia not meeting the harvest requirements to the water in a manner that ensures the highest likelihood of survival.
For more information, contact Steve Poland, cobia species lead with the Division of Marine Fisheries, at 252-808-8159 or [email protected].
2018 VIRGINIA COBIA REGULATIONS
From VMRC Website
The 2018 Virginia recreational cobia regulations are as follows:
40-inch, total length, minimum size limit; 1-fish daily possession limit or 3-fish-daily vessel limit, whichever is more restrictive; only one fish per vessel per day may be greater than 50 inches in total length; an open season of June 1 through September 30; and gaffing is now allowed to land a cobia while fishing recreationally.
All anglers, captains, and guides fishing for cobia must obtain a Recreational Cobia Permit from the Commission and report all harvest and cobia fishing activity.
Permits can be obtained online here or at an MRC Licensing Agent. Reporting can be done online through the Saltwater Journal or using forms provided by the VMRC.
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