Once considered a rare catch north of the Carolinas, cobia have become a more common summer visitor over the last decade in New England waters. One of the most recent encounters with this high-octane species often found tailing rays and sharks may have landed its bewildered captor in the Connecticut state record book!
John Bertolasio of Chicopee, Massachusetts, was drifting a dead eel along the edge of Long Sand Shoal off of Old Saybrook when a hard-running fish engulfed the bait. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) said John battled the fish for nearly 90 minutes before its brown body surfaced near the boat. John assumed he was dealing with a shark when he saw its elongated shape and its nearly 5-foot length.
As the fish neared his vessel, it made one last deep dive, snapping Bertolasio’s rod in the process, somehow, he still managed to land the fish. The 56-inch, 43-pound cobia was indeed a rare catch for Connecticut waters and officials say that it will likely stand as the new Connecticut state record. DEEP officials said that as water and air temperatures continue to rise as a result of climate change, anglers will continue to see new and rare species (for local waters) from the south. Cobia can reach weights in excess of 100 pounds and achieve lengths of more than 6 feet. Some readers might remember that the Rhode Island state record cobia was landed by angler Matthew Perry in August of 2020 and weighed, 56.42 pounds.
