Cobia

Season in Charleston

Peak months: Apr, May, Jun.

SCDNR: the inshore recreational cobia fishery in St. Helena and Port Royal Sounds runs April to June, when estuary water approaches 68 to 70 F and large egg-laden females move in; eggs and larvae were in every May and June sample. SCDNR: nearshore April to October overall, and north of St. Helena Sound cobia are mainly offshore. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Spring cobia come into the sounds south of Charleston: SCDNR documents inshore spawning and the April to June fishery in St. Helena Sound and Port Royal Sound (Beaufort and Hilton Head); north of St. Helena Sound cobia are mainly offshore fish. Hilton Head anglers fish the sound sandbars for them in spring (SCDNR forecast). Mostly a small-boat fishery.

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

• Violent thrashing
• Sharp gill plates

Subdue before handling.

Keep or release

SC uses different cobia rules on each side of 32 deg 31 min N, which falls in the St. Helena Sound area: Charleston is in the northern zone, Beaufort, Port Royal Sound and Hilton Head in the southern zone. See the SC regulations file for each zone.

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 Department of Natural Resources fishing regulations.

Sources

• SCDNR Marine Resources: inshore spawning of cobia in Port Royal and St. Helena Sounds (Official source)
• SCDNR species profile: cobia (Official source)
• 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 Charleston