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Bield:Fish
Single-species migration calendar

Cobia in Chesapeake Bay (Lower) may fishing.

Rachycentron canadumMigratoryPeak

Cobia run begins — fish following rays into Chesapeake.

Year-round calendar

Each month encodes typical migration status. The current month is outlined in gold. Tap a cell for the month-specific note and water temperature.

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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Absent Wintering off FL. Typical water temp: 44–52°FFeb — Absent Same. Typical water temp: 46–52°FMar — Absent Spring migration not yet here. Typical water temp: 50–58°FApr — Possible Earliest fish at the mouth of the Bay. Typical water temp: 58–64°FPossibleMay — Peak Cobia run begins — fish following rays into Chesapeake. Typical water temp: 64–72°FPeakJun — Peak Peak Chesapeake cobia season — sight fishing on flats and bridge structures. Typical water temp: 72–78°FPeakJul — Good Resident fish through summer. Typical water temp: 76–82°FGoodAug — Good Same — fish on buoys and structure. Typical water temp: 78–82°FGoodSep — Fair Fall departure begins. Typical water temp: 72–78°FFairOct — Possible Most fish gone south. Typical water temp: 64–72°FPossibleNov — Absent Departed. Typical water temp: 56–64°FDec — Absent Wintering south. Typical water temp: 50–56°F

Migration pattern

The Chesapeake cobia run is one of the iconic spring saltwater migrations on the East Coast. Fish arrive following cownose rays into the Bay in May and stay through summer; depart by October.

Best locations

  • Bay Bridge Tunnel structure
  • Mouth of the Potomac
  • Fisherman's Island
  • Buoys 36/42

Top lures

  • Live eels
  • Bucktail jigs
  • Whole crab on bottom
  • Live menhaden
  • Topwater plugs
Verify with current conditions

Migration timing varies year to year. Cross-reference NOAA marine forecasts and a local source the week of your trip.

Cobia in other regions

Get a notification when cobia show up.

Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data and water temperature readings to species arrival windows so you're on the water the day they arrive in Chesapeake Bay (Lower).

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