When it comes to cobia fishing, having the right reel can make all the difference. With so many different reels on the market, it can be tough to figure out which one is best for you. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best reels for cobia fishing and give you a few tips on how to choose the right one for you. So whether you’re just getting started or you’re looking for an upgrade, read on for the best reel advice.
How To Choose Fishing Reel For Cobia
Reel Size
Determining the size of the reel for cobia fishing is just as difficult as finding an effective bait or lure, but fortunately, this article should answer some of your questions. On average, you will need a reel that can hold from 200 to 400 yards of 50-pound braid and another 100 yards of 80-pound mono. However, finding the “right-sized” reel for cobia fishing is the most important factor in your success.
When it comes to selecting a size, there are several things that help determine what you need. If you are fishing with live or dead bait (e.g., blue runners), then you will need more line which means a larger reel. If you are fishing with large spoons or bucktails, then a smaller size will work. In my experience, I’ve always preferred to use live bait and the smallest reel that would hold enough line for me was a 4000 size for using 80-pound mono and 300 yards of 50-pound braid.
Spinning
It is important to realize that a spinning reel cannot be used for cobia when using live or dead bait. A spinning reel will not hold enough line when using large spoons, bucktails, or live baits. There are also different styles of reels for cobia fishing. There are the “round body reels” and the “square body reels.”
Round Body Reel: The round body reel is a good choice when using large spoons or dead baits, but I would not recommend this style for live bait as it does not hold as much line as a square body reel. When using live or dead baits, I recommend a square body reel.
Square Body Reel: The square body reels are good choices when fishing with live bait and large spoons and bucktails. Cobia can be very rough on equipment and the round body reels will not do well in this type of environment. If you fish cobia regularly, I would recommend a square body reel.
Baitcasting
A baitcasting reel can also be used for cobia and dead baits (e.g., blue runners). There is one exception: when using large spoons or bucktails; we strongly recommend that you use a spinning reel. Again, a new angler should use the smallest reel that will suit their needs. For example, if you are using a 50-pound braid or less, then a 2500 size is suitable. If you are using 80-pound mono plus 50-pound braid on those heavy gear days, then a 4000 size will suffice.
In my opinion, the biggest advantage of using a baitcasting reel is that you can use the heavier line. This is an important factor when fishing with big spoons and bucktails.
Reel For Cobia Spinning & Baitcasting Combo
If you are new to cobia fishing or just want to stay simple, then I would recommend combining both styles of reels. Some people have had success with using spinning gear for live bait and switching to a baitcasting reel when using large spoons or bucktails. The major drawback with this is that you will need two different types of rods, one for each type of reel. When switching between the two types, you will have to change the reel’s spool and attach the appropriate rod.
It is important to remember that when using live or dead bait (e.g., blue runners), then a spinning reel will not hold as much line as a baitcasting reel. Although, it still depends on the type of fish you are targeting and what you can afford. It all comes down to personal preference, but either way, you should have the right equipment for your next cobia fishing trip!
Best Fishing Reel For Cobia
The cobia is a very powerful marine fish. They can grow to huge sizes and are mostly found in tropical zones. Cobia fishing has really picked up in recent years, much because of how much fun these fishes are to catch on a reel. There are five best reels for cobia fishing that are currently available in the market.
Here is a list of 5 best reels for cobia fishing.
1. Penn Battle II Spinning Reel
The Penn Battle II spinning reel has the ability to hold up to 30 pounds of drag pressure; this makes it ideal for handling medium-sized fish like cobias. Another great feature that makes it perfect for fishing cobia is its speed spool lip. The speed spool lip is great for providing better casts and retrieves with low running line friction. Since it’s an extremely durable reel, there is no question of using it in harsh environments with high fishing pressure.
2. Shimano Curado
This reel was made in Japan and the construction is very durable. It’s perfect for anglers who want to use conventional tackle, but also want a reel with a lot of power. It has a high-speed gearing system and is very smooth with its multi-disc drag. If you are going to be battling larger fish for many hours, then this is the right product for you as it can produce up to 28 pounds of pressure on the line.
3. Abu Garcia Revo Toro
The Abu Garcia Revo Toro is a very powerful and heavy-duty reel. It has a huge gearbox that allows it to hold up to 55 pounds of drag pressure. This makes it perfect for anglers who like fishing in deep waters with high fishing pressure. A unique feature of this reel is its line speed system, which provides the angler with an enhanced power ratio. The Abu Garcia Revo Toro is also very durable, which makes it perfect for heavy-duty fishing methods.
4. Penn Slammer III
The Penn Slammer III reel has a gearbox that can hold up to 35 pounds of drag pressure, which makes it ideal for handling medium-sized fish like cobia. Another great feature of this reel is its new oscillation system, which provides an enhanced castability. It has a high speed retrieve ratio of 6.2:1 and the ability to hold up to 175 yards of line off its spool. The grooved spool on this reel also makes it great for fishing in choppy waters without the line getting entangled with other lines. It is a very well-rounded and versatile reel for both saltwater and freshwater fishing.
5. Shimano Baitrunner D
The Shimano Baitrunner D has the ability to hold up to 14 pounds of drag pressure, which makes it perfect for cobia fishing in extremely deep waters with extremely heavy fishing pressure. Although this reel is not as powerful as the other reels mentioned above, it is much lighter and smaller. This makes it perfect for fishing in tight spaces where bigger reels will cause problems. It also has a very strong gearbox to tackle big fishes like cobias with minimum damage to either fish or reel.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a beginner or experienced fisherman, we’ve put together some of the best reels for cobia fishing. We know that there are many different types and brands to choose from when it comes to choosing your reel, so we wanted to help narrow down the search process by providing three top picks in each category. These choices come with our guarantee because we stand behind them as being some of the best on the market today!