Bottom fishing for cobia

Being born and raised in south fl I was brought up bottom fishing from piers and jetties. Its just what you do. The corners of the T are full of big heavy bottom rods with 40-60lbs line 8oz's of lead with a big bait. You cast out 3 rods, turn your clickers on and cast lures to waste time. That type of fishing is burned into my brain. That's not at all how I fish when I fish the GSP. I live bait, snob and fish a single rod all day. But......... there is a part of me that can't help but think that a blue crab, live eel or a blue runner head on a bog bottom rod near the pilings would produce a cobia or big bull red that cant be seen from above. Anyone ever fish this way from GSP? Any luck? Just trying to decide if I should spool up my botton rig and bring it down next month

I have caught several cobia from the pier while bottom fishing. If you cut open a cobia's stomach, the contents often reveal hardhead catfish and crabs, which indicates that they spend a lot of time feeding on the bottom. During the spring run, I believe that these fish run the bottom in the early mornings while the surface is still cool. About mid-day is when they come to the surface. If you bring your bottom rod during October, you are more likely to catch a bull red. Use cut mullet for best results. And I would recommend casting out from the pier, not just dropping down by the pilings.

You'll see it a good bit during the winter months once the mackerel are gone.