Cobia (also known as Ling, Lemonfish, Crabeater) in Virginia. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit — verified against the VMRC guide, 2026.
In Virginia, the minimum legal size for Cobia is 43 in and the daily bag limit is 1 per person, 2 per vessel. Season note: Open seasons and these size and bag limits are reviewed at least annually and can change in-season — always confirm the current Virginia rules before keeping fish.
Open seasons and these size and bag limits are reviewed at least annually and can change in-season — always confirm the current Virginia rules before keeping fish.
Same statewide. STATE WATERS. 43 in total length minimum, 1 per person and 2 per vessel. Federal (EEZ) cobia rules and season can differ.
These limits are pulled from the VMRC recreational saltwater fishing regulations. Last verified June 2026.
Always check the official guide before keeping any fish. Regulations change. Virginia Marine Resources Commission updates its guide annually and occasionally mid-year. Fines for over-bag or undersized fish are significant.
Virginia requires a saltwater fishing licence for anglers aged 16–64 in tidal waters; unlicensed anglers aged 16+ must instead register free with the Fisherman Identification Program (FIP). Virginia saltwater licences.
Olli-Mikael Vaittinen has fished his whole life. Fifteen years of fly fishing, guiding seasons on Norway's Lakselva — his favourite Atlantic salmon river — and a blue marlin landed in Vava'u, Tonga. Founder of Fishare — the app that puts the data behind the decisions every angler makes on the water.
Fishare tracks your home spots and pings you when the next 3-hour peak window opens. Log catches and blanks to teach the model your local patterns. Free forever for everyone who joins now.
Open Fishare