Cobia

Season

SCDNR: nearshore April to October, peak late spring, arrives around the third week of May. (Our inference)

Where to find them

Rare from shore here; usually a boat fish.

Cruising near the surface, often around rays or structure.

What to look for

A brown shark-like shape cruising near the surface.

What to throw

Bucktail or jighead with a 4 to 5 in paddle tail1/2 to 1 oz, 4 to 5 in tail. Slow hops along the bottom: lift, drop, let it touch, repeat.

Bait

Live eel, Live menhaden, Crab. Heavy fish-finder or free-line, circle hook required at 4/0 and up.

Leader

50 to 80 lb.

Common mistakes

• Landing an unsubdued cobia; they thrash violently

Landing

Wear it out before landing.

Handling and safety

• Violent thrashing
• Sharp gill plates

Subdue before handling.

Keep or release

36 in fork-length minimum, 1 per person per day north of 32 deg 31 min N.

Recipes for cobia

Typical: About 30 in, 15 lb. Large: 40 lb and up. SC record 92 lb 10 oz (2009).

South Carolina limits

• Minimum: 36 in FL
• Maximum: none
• Bag: 1 per person per day
• Boat: 6 per boat per day
• Season: North of 32 deg 31.0 min N (includes Myrtle Beach): no May closure
• Rod and reel and gig only in state waters
• Gamefish: cannot be sold
• Circle hook required with natural bait at 4/0 and up

Last checked 2026-10-11. A summary, not legal advice; the official rules win. SC DNR fishing regulations.

Sources

• SCDNR species profile: cobia (Official source)
• Gregg Holshouser Grand Strand fishing reports, 2019-2020 (mirror) (Angler knowledge)
• Florida Museum of Natural History, Discover Fishes: Cobia (Official source)
• FAO Cultured Aquatic Species Information: Rachycentron canadum (cobia) (Official source)
• SC finfish size and catch limits 2026-2027 (eRegulations, linked from SCDNR), last updated Aug 11, 2026 (Official source)
• SC saltwater general information: license, circle hooks, gamefish, Horry pier buffer, last updated Aug 11, 2026 (Official source)

All the fish of Myrtle Beach