The cobia, also known as the "king of the gamefish," is a fascinating and truly wonderful fish that everyone should experience at least once in their life.
Choose right fishing reel for cobia
Cobia (Rachycentron canadus) are one of the most sought-after species among offshore anglers due to their strength, size and fighting prowess. The average cobia is a massive, heavy-bodied fish with a broad head and large mouth filled with sharp teeth. They have an overall dark blue-grey coloration with silver sides, white belly and a tough silvery scaling on top of their heads.
The following is a list of the best reels to use for cobia fishing:
1. Penn Battle II Reels
Penn's Battle II series reels are some of the best medium-sized fishing machines on the market. With their superb construction and design, these reels will work as hard as you do and last you a lifetime. Battle II reels feature a rugged graphite frame with stainless steel sideplates, anti-rust bearings, an infinite anti-reverse bearing, smooth multi-disc drag system and low-friction roller bearings. The Penn Battle II 6030H is a perfect example of the quality behind these reels.
2. Shimano Curado E Reels
Shimano's Curado E Series are built to be both lightweight and powerful with a rugged graphite frame, a corrosion-resistant aluminum spool, an advanced SVS Infinity Brake System and Shimano's exclusive Dyna-Balance system for superior casting performance. The Curado E series of reels is offered in a wide variety from 100 to 400 sizes with five different gear ratios.
3. Penn Fierce II Reels
Penn Fierce II reels are a great example of what Penn does best - simple, reliable fishing machines. The Fierce II series is perfect for an offshore angler looking for a tough workhorse that can stand up to big fish without breaking the bank. These reels are built with heavy-duty aluminum frames and ported graphite sideplates. These reels are also powered by anti-rust, corrosion-resistant components. The Penn Fierce II is available in five sizes with three different gear ratios.
4. Penn Battle Spinning Reels
Another great model that comes from the Battle family of fishing machines is the Penn Battle Spinning reel . This reel has all the qualities of the Battle II series in a spinning, open face design. The Penn Battle Spinning is offered in four gear ratios with four sizes to choose from.
5. Shimano Curado E-Type Reels
The Shimano Curado E-type reels are some of the most durable fishing machines on the market available today. These reels are lightweight with a rugged graphite frame and sideplate construction. The Curado E-type reels feature Shimano's SVS Infinite Brake System, Dyna-Balance system, ported aluminum spool and an infinite anti-reverse bearing. There are five sizes available from 100 to 400 with three gear ratios to choose from.
6. Shimano Sedona FI Reels
Shimano's Sedona reel is a great reel for offshore anglers looking to get a lot of quality features without breaking the bank. The first thing you'll notice about the Sedona reels is their unique, appealing design and color scheme. These reels feature a tough graphite frame with aluminum sideplates and an aluminum spool. The Sedona reels also feature Shimano's SVS infinity brake system, Dyna-balance system, corrosion-resistant components and a smooth multi-disc drag. There are five sizes available from 100 to 400 with three different gear ratios to choose from.
7. Penn Senator Series Reels
The Penn Senator series reels are a favorite among offshore anglers looking for quality and durability. These reels have been around for over 20 years and have become a standard for many anglers. The Penn Senator features a lightweight graphite frame with stainless steel sideplates, an aluminum spool with silica bronze bearings, corrosion-resistant components and high-quality finishes. The Penn Senator is available in four sizes with three different gear ratios.
8. Daiwa Seagate Spinning Reels
Daiwa's Seagate spinning reels are a great example of quality and durability at a reasonable price point. These reels have a strong aluminum frame with stainless steel screws, an aluminum spool, an infinite anti-reverse bearing and a multi-disc drag system. These reels come in three different sizes and three different gear ratios with the capability of holding over 90 yards of 30-pound Test.
9. Shimano Stradic FK Reels
One of the top quality spinning reels on the market is Shimano's Stradic FK reel . This reel features a durable, lightweight graphite frame with aluminum sideplates and high capacity gearing. The Stradic FK reels feature Shimano's Dyna-Balance system, an anti-corrosion finish, SVS infinity braking system and corrosion-resistant components. There are four sizes of this model available with five different gear ratios for all kinds of fishing applications.
10. Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C3 Reels
Abu Garcia's Ambassadeur C3 reels are high-end, high performance reels that are built to last. These reels have a graphite construction with stainless steel components and feature the six roller system for smooth retrieves. The Ambassadeur C3 reels also come loaded with Abu's SVS infinity braking system, corrosion-resistant components and high capacity gearing. There are six different sizes of this model available plus one model that is specifically designed for the left handed angler.
11. Shimano Stradic CI4+ Reels
A new spin on a classic reel is the Shimano Stradic CI4+ , which has been provided with an update to some of its features. These reels still maintain all the great qualities that made this product a crowd favorite, such as its lightweight graphite construction and stainless steel sideplates. The new and improved Stradic CI4+ now comes with an improved gear ratio for more power and better cranking, a new star drag system that has 15% more drag surface, added corrosion resistance and it is also lighter. This model comes in four different sizes with two different gear ratios to choose from.
12. Daiwa Tatula Reels
Daiwa's Tatula line of reels are great reels for all kinds of applications, including offshore fishing for big game. The first thing you'll notice about the Tatula is its unique looks. These reels have a tough graphite frame with aluminum sideplates and an aluminum spool that has cutouts to reduce its weight. There are eight sizes available from 100- to 400-sized reels with three different models to choose from. Daiwa's Tatula reels also come equipped with SVS infinity braking system, a Dyna-Balance system and corrosion-resistant components.
13. Pflueger President Spinning Reels
Pflueger is a well-known manufacturer of quality fishing equipment for both fresh and saltwater fishing applications. The President Spinning reel is just one of several great reels Pflueger has to offer with its quality construction, durable design and affordable price point. The President Spinning reels are also very versatile for all kinds of different fish species that range from bass, trout and panfish to larger saltwater game fish.
