Cobia limits by state
Check before you keep a fish. These are statewide rules. Lakes, rivers and coastal zones often have their own limits, and rules can change during the year. Each state below has a link to its official rules.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
| State | Where | Size | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Cobia |
Statewide | 36" fork length | 1 | – |
| Official source2 ADCNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Delaware Cobia |
Statewide | 43 in | 2 per angler | All year |
| Secondary source: Delaware Fishing Guide (eRegulations edition) DNREC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Florida Cobia |
Statewide | 36" fork length minimum | 1 | – |
| Official source FWC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Georgia Cobia |
Statewide | 36" fork length | 1 (6 per boat) | March 1 to October 31 |
| Official source Georgia DNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Louisiana Cobia |
State waters | 36" fork length | 1; 2 per vessel | Year-round |
| Official source LDWF official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Maryland Cobia |
Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries | 43" total length | 1 per person; 2 per boat with 2 or more people | June 15 to September 20 |
| Catch and release only outside the season. Secondary source: Maryland fishing guide 2026 (eRegulations) Maryland DNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Mississippi Cobia |
Statewide | 36" fork length | 2 | – |
| Official source MDWFP official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| New Jersey Cobia |
Marine waters | 43" minimum | 1 | All year |
| Secondary source: NJ Fish & Wildlife saltwater regulations 2026 (eRegulations) NJ Fish & Wildlife official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| New York Cobia |
Marine district | 43" minimum | 1 | All year |
| Official source NYSDEC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| North Carolina Cobia |
Set each year: check here. Set by DMF proclamation each year. Check DMF before fishing. | |||
| South Carolina Cobia |
State waters south of 32°31.0' N | 36" fork length | 1 | Closed May 1 to 31 |
| South Carolina | Federal waters and northern state waters | 36" fork length | 1 | – |
| Secondary source: South Carolina hunting and fishing regulations 2026-27 (eRegulations) SCDNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Texas Cobia |
Statewide | 40" minimum | 1 | – |
| Official source TPWD official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Virginia Cobia |
Set each year: check here. Season, size and bag (and any reporting rules) are set by VMRC. Check VMRC before fishing. | |||