Cobia regulations in Virginia

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? The cobia season is closed today. It is open June 15 – September 20.

Cobia size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Virginia marine waters	June 15 – September 20	43 inch minimum	1 per person, 2 per vessel (whichever is more restrictive)

Notes

A 2026-10-31 check against the official source found a discrepancy in this species' notes. Read the official wording before keeping the fish: https://webapps.mrc.virginia.gov/public/reports/FinfishRegCardMay2026.pdf
Gaffing is prohibited.

Exact Virginia Marine Resources Commission wording

Season: June 15 through Sept 20
Size: Minimum Size Limit: 43 inches total length
Limit: 1 per person, 2 per vessel; whichever is more restrictive
statewide — as printed: “COBIA Minimum Size Limit: 43 inches total length Possession Limit: 1 per person, 2 per vessel; whichever is more restrictive Season: June 15 through Sept 20”

Source: Virginia Marine Resources Commission, captured 2026-09-21 (2026 season).

Check your cobia in seconds

Say it, snap a photo, or type the length. SlotGauge answers KEEP or RELEASE using today's Virginia rules.

Open SlotGauge for Cobia

Alewife Amberjack American Eel Black Drum Black Sea Bass Blueback Herring Bluefish Atlantic Croaker

About the cobia

Species of ray-finned fish

The cobia is a species of marine carangiform ray-finned fish, the only extant representative of the genus Rachycentron and the family Rachycentridae. Its other common names include black kingfish, black salmon, ling, lemonfish, crabeater, prodigal son, codfish, and black bonito.

Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Cobia in Virginia?

43 inch minimum in Virginia state waters.

How many Cobia can you keep per day in Virginia?

1 per person, 2 per vessel (whichever is more restrictive).

When is Cobia season in Virginia?

June 15 – September 20.

Is my Cobia a keeper today?

The cobia season is closed today. It is open June 15 – September 20.