Fall Regulars
When I fi rst met Rutland
during an SWS seminar in
nearby Fairhope, he told
me about the predictable
trek of ling (as cobia are
called locally) every fall. The
spring run along Florida and
Alabama beaches is a rite
of passage and draws large,
fanatical crowds every year.
The opposite season—which
typically runs from mid-
August until mid- October,
depending on water tem-
peratures—sees less fi shing
pressure, with mild weather
and cooperative fi sh.
Rutland always starts the
hunt by collecting frisky
live pogies along the bay’s
eastern shore.
“The ideal baits are 6 to
8 inches,” he told me while
steering the trolling motor
across the shallow fl ats.
Flipping menhaden and
diving pelicans surrounded
us as Rutland readied his cast
net. “I think all this bait near
the mouth of the bay is why
the cobia are here. I’ll bet if
you have the right amount
of structure, you could
fi nd ’em from Pensacola to
Pascagoula to Texas during
the fall.”
There is certainly no
shortage of structure in
Mobile Bay. A dozen or more
commercial ships, waiting
to enter the port, were an-
chored just beyond the chan-
nel entrance. Several miles
of buoys and range markers
provide more layover spots,
and the numerous gas rigs
in 30 feet of water or less
add more feeding stations.
Rutland focuses on the ships
before moving inside to take
advantage of the better visi-
bility from the midday sun.
“The ships that are an-
chored for several days are
always more productive
than the new arrivals,” he
explained. “The bait gath-
ers and the cobia show up. I
don’t usually fi nd them along
the hull sides, though. Most
often they are in the shad-
ows underneath the stern
around the rudder or off the
bow near the anchor chain.
Empty ships are the best be-
cause they sit higher in thewater with the running gear
exposed. My electronics real-
ly help to pinpoint where the
fi sh are holding.”Down to It
When fi shing around the
commercial vessels, Rutland
either free-lines baits or
drops them to the bottom
60 feet below. Seven-foot
medium- heavy jigging rods
(30- to 60-pound class) with
limber tips are matched
with smaller conventional
reels loaded with 65-pound
braid and a 50-pound mono
top shot connected with an
improved Albright knot.
Eight-ounce egg sinkers
slide on the main line with
a barrel-swivel stop. A shortlength of up to 60-pound fl u-
orocarbon leader with a 4/0
to 5/0 circle hook completes
the rig. Rutland uses palomar
knots for his terminal tackle.
“You’ve got to be able to
put serious pressure on these
fi sh to get them away from
the anchor chain, buoy chain
or ship propeller,” he says.
Rutland’s GPS-guided
trolling motor is invaluable
for this style of fi shing.
Using the remote-control
fob, he guides the boat close
to the ship and uses the
anchor-lock function to soak
the baits.
“I usually give it several
casts or drops at each spot,
but I don’t stay too long,”
he says. “If they’re there, itSEPTEMBER 2019 SALTWATERSPORTSMAN.COM 51WHAT
Cobia
WHEN
Mid-August through
mid-October
WHERE
Anchored ships, buoy and
channel markers, and gas
rigs in Mobile Bay, Alabama,accessible from ramps
on Dauphin Island or
Fort Morgan
WHO
Access to cobia is seldom
limited by boat size. This is
a perfect DIY fi shery.
The following pros stand
ready to help you dial in the
particulars of strategy.Capt. Richard Rutland
coldbloodedfi shing.com
251-459-5077
Capt. Bobby Abruscato
ateamfi shing.com
251-454-9867
Capt. Patric Garmason
uglyfi shing.com
251-747-1554Gulf of Mexico
CobiaSWS
Planner