Cobia fishing out of Cortez: the water and the run
Cobia fishing out of Cortez starts at Longboat Pass. Boats leave Sarasota Bay and Anna Maria Sound and reach the Gulf through that pass, between Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island. The Cortez port page covers the harbor and the pass.
Every bearing below is measured from one of two points, the Longboat Pass entrance or the tip of Anna Maria Island, and each reef names its reference point so you can plot it without guessing. The cobia species guide covers the fish itself; this page covers this port.
When cobia are around Cortez
Guidesly lists the season as open all year. Cobia migrate along the Gulf Coast at certain months, so the numbers in any one stretch of water change through the year, and spawning runs April to September. For the wider picture, see cobia across the Gulf of Mexico (see also the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide).
Where boats run and the grounds that hold cobia
Boats run two places for cobia out of Cortez: the Cortez to Anna Maria causeway area, and nearshore structure and debris. The named reefs extend that search from the inside water out to the ledge.
Causeway area and debris
The Cortez to Anna Maria causeway area is the run closest to the harbor. Cobia also hold on nearshore structure and debris. Cruising fish get looked for in both places, and the section on how cobia are fished here covers the method.
Nearshore and artificial reefs
Eight named grounds sit between 0.6 and 14.7 miles out. The table sorts them by run distance and gives the reference point for each bearing.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Distance | Bearing | Reference point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Near Shore Reef | 16 | 0.6 mi | 321° | Longboat Pass |
| 3 Mile South Reef | 30 | 3.5 mi | 270° | Longboat Pass |
| 1 Mile Reef | 25 | 4.3 nm | 320° | Longboat Pass |
| Gucken Reef | 33 | 4.6 mi | 250° | Tip of Anna Maria Island |
| 3 Mile North Reef | 28 | 7.0 mi | 305° | Longboat Pass |
| 7 Mile South Reef | 40 | 8.0 mi | 270° | Longboat Pass |
| 7 Mile North Reef | 40 | 8.2 mi | 270° | NW tip of Anna Maria Island |
| Anna Maria Ledge | 46 | 14.7 mi | 290° | Longboat Pass |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Bearings and chart layers are not for navigation.
Near Shore Reef is the closest ground, at 0.6 miles and 16 ft. Anna Maria Ledge is the farthest and deepest, at 14.7 miles and 46 ft. 7 Mile South and 7 Mile North both sit at 40 ft on a 270° bearing, from different reference points.
Reading conditions
The nearest NOAA station is NDBC station ANMF1, Anna Maria, FL, at 27.538N 82.739W. Its feed can lapse, so do not plan around it alone. Read the NWS Tampa Bay coastal forecast before you run. It gives wind speed, wave height and wave period, which are the three numbers to read.
How cobia are fished here
The local method is sight casting to cruising fish. Cobia fishing out of Cortez is a search along the causeway area and over nearshore structure and debris, then a cast to what you find. For other species and grounds, see the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
Who fishes them here
Two local charters list cobia:
- Florida Fishing Fleet (floridafishingfleet.com) names its vessels as Savage Lady, Kingpin, Florida Man and Little Savage.
- Reel Cortez Charters (reelcortez.com) books through H2O Watersportz.
FAQ about cobia fishing out of Cortez
When are cobia around Cortez?
Cobia are open all year per Guidesly. They migrate along the Gulf Coast at certain months, and spawning runs April to September.
How far is the nearest reef from Longboat Pass?
Near Shore Reef is the shortest run on the list: 16 ft, 0.6 miles at 321° from Longboat Pass.
Which reef is the deepest and farthest out?
Anna Maria Ledge is the deepest and farthest: 46 ft, 14.7 miles at 290° from Longboat Pass. 7 Mile North and 7 Mile South both sit at 40 ft.
How are cobia fished locally?
The local method is sight casting to cruising fish. Boats work the Cortez to Anna Maria causeway area and nearshore structure and debris.
Which Cortez charters list cobia?
Florida Fishing Fleet lists Savage Lady, Kingpin, Florida Man and Little Savage. Reel Cortez Charters books through H2O Watersportz.
Which buoy is nearest to Cortez?
NDBC station ANMF1, Anna Maria, FL, at 27.538N 82.739W. Its feed can lapse, so read the NWS Tampa Bay coastal forecast for wind, wave height and period before you run.
