Here in Florida we eat cobia (previously called ling) of any size...they're all good.
Largest ever caught on my boat (not by me) was a 76 pounder, longer than the guy that hooked it. He was flat-lining (Trolling) and only had about 15 feet of line out. It was a big challenge for us to gaff a fish that was not the least bit tired...not fought/played to the stern.
They big ones have been compared with pork-chop in the eating department, but nothing beats smoking them.
Ling is what they call them around Sheeps Head Bay, out from NYC.
Only bad fishing trip I ever took in my life. Friend said let’s go out on a party boat, use their gear. Must have been close to thirty on the wretched vessel. Shoulder to shoulder, lines getting tangled and what not. Just I was ready to pack in and just drink, felt a tug on the line, clearly nothing big but what the heck. Reeled in a 3lb or so ling. Turns out with the tangle of lines, the fish had wound itself up on my line and basically almost strangled itself himself. I just took to drinking beer after that for the rest of the trip. Swore off NYC party boats.
:: but nothing beats smoking them ::
Mwah ha ha. Don’t forget to twist the ends tightly before lighting them
-Tommy Chong