During our exploratory trip Brian was able to see two cobia cruising side-by-side almost immediately and I was able to idle the boat parallel to the fish without spooking them. Brian already had his Sage X 10940-4 in hand, with line stripped out. This presentation gave him time to place the fly at an optimal angle-swimming away from the predators. A Popovics Hollow Fleye on a RIO Tropical Outbound Short intermediate fly line teamed with a Sage X was the perfect combination for this game.
Flies have to get down at least a few feet to be effective, but the whole package also must be launched without unnecessary false casting. This red and yellow Fleye created a lifelike big fish silhouette with a great swimming motion-but without any added weight. The Hollow Fleye also recasts easily and turns over well with the 20 pound RIO Products Redfish/Seatrout Tapered Leader, even with an added foot of RIO Products Fluoroflex Saltwater Tippet for rough mouths. Brian made the perfect cast and was able to see the fish react to the fly. He was able to change strips accordingly to keep her interested while staying tight to the fly, but he still didn't connect! From above, i watched as the cobia inhaled and immediately spit the fly out-twice! It literally followed the fly to the boat before turning away, pulling a smaller cobia with her.