Cobia not selective about bait

Now is the time to gear up, attend seminars and get the latest prognosis for the coming season. These torpedo-shaped heavyweights are what many anglers wait for all year. And with their arrival comes fishermen and boats of all shapes and sizes. Consisting of tackle more tuned to larger offshore species, many will be complimented with huge rods and Goliath reels while the majority will be smaller vessels sporting a variety of inshore boat rods and more conventional tackle. Anglers will jockey for the best drops and use all at their disposal for favor. Arguments will rise as to the best baits, preferred leaders and better fishing drops and during it all one thought will prevail -- When do we fish?

I seldom fish for Cobia anymore, preferring more to surrender to the more refined confusion of lesser vertebrae. But on occasion and with proper coaxing or the occasional houseguest, I can be found among the multitudes. One thing I have learned from my exploits regardless of what others may testify -- Cobia are seldom selective in their food source as long as it is presented in a fresh natural state. They will take offerings of live, dead, artificial or seldom seen lures and care little how it got there.

Fishermen with little experience pursuing this bruiser will come to know their strength and fury if boated too soon. They have broken rods and bones, stripped gears and caused havoc among the seasoned as well as the novice. A result of choice by those in pursuit which surely will continue as part of the game. Cobia are opportunist and care little for the fluff and glitter which the angler may generate. They come for one purpose and have little regard for what the angler expects during the confrontation.

ON THE MOVE

Mullet are beginning to show in good numbers along the creeks adjacent to deep water structures. High on the list of food favorites and with many species returning to inshore waters later this month to replenish lost body fats, their presence will not go unnoticed.

Both Trout and Bass will be in search of shallow areas that provide peak warming periods. Fish are rejuvenated during these warming trends along the flats with the common factor being clear moving water and a rapid escape route from predators. Your approach and bait presentation will be critical for success as unnatural sounds will easily spook them to deeper waters. Look for areas which contain grass croppings and points showing oyster and mud banks. The areas are best fished on the down current or backside where the light tackle fisherman will be favored. Much of your time will be occupied with the antics of ladyfish as their numbers seem to have arrived a bit early.

As you approach a likely spot remember, although a good many baitfish are showing, artificials continue to return good numbers. Now is not the best time to be chunking bobbers, better returns have been taken free lining artificials. A good many species can't seem to resist soft plastic jerk baits with Gulp minnow imitations and DOA shrimp. The experienced fly fisherman will have an assortment of Clouser minnow patterns in their arsenal and will gain favor using chartreuse colors during periods of low tide just before the turn.

LESSON

While on Hilton Head this past week, I came across Terry Whatson cleaning his boat. Terry was all smiles as he showed me his catch. It seems while cleaning his boat and putting away his gear he noticed a good many large sheepshead holding close to the pilings. The next hour proved you never know what to expect. Terry landed three large sheepshead over five pounds, lost two others and released a number of smaller fish. Growing more excited in his story, he said they were not as hard to hook and his only bait was from a stale box of frozen shrimp found in a cooler on board. In closing, Terry quoted a precise statement often shared by many fishermen, " You never know when the opportunity will come or what they will hit."

With this is mind don't overlook deep drops around bridge and pier reaches. Sheepshead have congregated close to these structures as well as rock formations and are eager to test your reflexes. These deeper holes continue to credit anglers with an occasional Black Drum as well.

BEST RIVER BETS

The upper Savannah has shown outstanding returns for Largemouth Bass, while the Edisto has got an early start on returns of slab-sided black Crappie. The Ashepoo has produced some good stringers of panfish while the Combahee River has produced large catfish along the banks of the old fish camps. One dominant species called "Grenlin," has caused a good bit of colorful language among anglers. Reducing favorite lures to a mess of mauled wire and broken hooks and causing those professional over-runs known as backlashes to be more commonplace, "Mudfish" are returning in great numbers. Many of the waters are presently lower than normal with swift currents which make them hazardous. Be careful in your runs and watch for smaller boats along the shorelines.

REMINDER

File a float plan, take inventory before leaving the dock or landing and by all means make sure your fishing partner abides by the same rules. Take nothing for granted. Do not assume that things are as they should be. Above all else, be aware that if things go wrong, you can't walk back.

Till next week

Good fishin'

Lee