Good Information - New VA Cobia Regs

[RavensDfense]

I know only a few people on this forum target cobia from a kayak, but for those that do, Virginia passed new regulations yesterday in response to the federal closure that is happening (in federal waters more than 3 miles out) on June 20th. VA was expected to follow suit with the feds, but in a 5-4 vote, they voted to keep the recreational fishery open until August 30th. This is a big victory for the recreational angler. Below are the new regulations beginning June 1st.

•1 cobia per angler 40 inches or greater total length.
•Maximum of 2 cobia per vessel for all vessels, private, charter, and inspected vessels (head boats).
•Only 1 of the 2 fish may be over 50 inches. (note you can have 2 fish between 40 and 50 inches)
•Pier and surf fisherman 1 fish per person 40 inches or better.
•Gaffing of cobia is prohibited.
•Federal waters close June 20 (3 miles from shore).
•Catch and release remains open and unlimited. Release citation may still be registered all year.
•Season closes August 30.
•Landing permits will be required for everyone that comes with mandatory reporting. If you fail to report or submit did not fish reports you risk not getting a permit the following year. If you don’t have a cobia permit and land a cobia while targeting other species (like flounder) you must obtain one online (for free) before bringing that cobia home.

[Shady]

I saw this and wondered if the no gaffing rule would be tough for kayakers

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[RavensDfense]

I think it would. I had made a spear gaff and I can honestly say that if I hook into a 50 inch fish, its now getting hammer to the head. I am not about to bring that on board a alive. With that said, I would have to absolutely know its a keeper before I killed it.

[ronaultmtd]

Not really Ryan- the last thing I would want is to be beaten by my own gaff handle- using a Boga grip might be tough, too but it would get my vote over a gaff- Cobia are well known "nut so" fish going crazy when you put them in the boat- I would prefer to use a short rope through the gills tied to the side than bringing one on board my Outback- you know pretty quickly if you have a 40 inch fish or not- most Cobia I have caught are much bigger and average in the 50-60# range- rare to catch a small one- the main thing is don't try to land a green fish- In my opinion Cobia, the Brown Bomber- is the best tasting saltwater fish that swims...better than dolphin, speckled trout, flounder...just the best...and has anyone heard if they have showed up inside the Bay? This is the time of year for them to show- Might be time to head to Wallace's...

[RavensDfense]

They've been in the tidewater VA area for about two weeks. Black drum fisherman have been catching them on Latimer using peeler. Hopefully they are up even further by now. I'm going either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

[ronaultmtd]

Gonna be crazy this weekend- I think I'll go from Dandy Point mid week and see what's going on

[AbuMasgouf]

•Landing permits will be required for everyone that comes with mandatory reporting. If you fail to report or submit did not fish reports you risk not getting a permit the following year. If you don’t have a cobia permit and land a cobia while targeting other species (like flounder) you must obtain one online (for free) before bringing that cobia home.

Thanks for the info bro. I don't follow the last bullet point. So everyone who targets cobia must register or is this obligated to charters etc?

Thanks


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[RavensDfense]

I am assuming it applies to everyone. I did a quick search and could not find a link to obtain a landing permit. The new regs do not take effect until June 1st, so maybe in the next couple of days they will post a link. Ill look a little more thoroughly later and if I find something, I'll post it up.

[AbuMasgouf]

Yeah my search didn't turn anything up either. Thanks bro

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[Slobber Bob]

I'd assume it applies to everybody too. It sounds similar to the Spring Trophy permit everybody needs for stripers the first two weeks of May in VA; which also requires mandatory catch (or no catch) reporting.

[ronaultmtd]

Just got my cobia permit from VMRC website- for us kayak anglers we use the beach/pier permit...I had my old VMRC number but had to call them to get my address changed in their database- back in the day I had a VMRC permit for bluefin tuna over 300 pounds...you can register on the fishing forum to report your catches on-line...

[Slobber Bob]

I got my the other day too, but got the vessel one. I just put 'kayak' where it asked for vessel id number and it worked. Whatever...

I read it's voluntary this year and its encouraged to report catches.