Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
Gaffing prohibited; the former VA cobia permit/mandatory reporting ended in 2023; size raised from 40 to 43 in for 2026.
VMRC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Atlantic sharpnose sharkCobia has no shark tail; swims flat and slow. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Virginia state record
VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Broad flat head, dark lateral stripe, no true dorsal spines — often mistaken for a shark at boatside. More on the cobia page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for cobia in Virginia?
43 in min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many cobia can you keep in Virginia?
1 per person, max 2 per vessel.
When is cobia season in Virginia?
Jun 15 - Sep 20. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is closed.
What is the Virginia record cobia?
109 lb, York Spit (2006).
How current is this Virginia cobia rule?
Source: VMRC 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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