Fish guide
Cobia
Rachycentron canadum.
Showing the fish for Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand, SC.
Season in Myrtle Beach
SCDNR: nearshore April to October, peak late spring, arrives around the third week of May. (Our inference)
Season by region
| Myrtle Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
|---|---|
| Long Island | JFMAMJJASOND |
| North Jersey | JFMAMJJASOND |
| South Jersey | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Delmarva | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Virginia Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Outer Banks | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southern NC | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Charleston | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Northeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Space Coast | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Florida Keys | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southwest Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Tampa Bay | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Big Bend | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Panhandle | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Alabama | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Mississippi | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Louisiana | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Upper Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Middle Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Lower Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
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
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
36 in fork-length minimum, 1 per person per day north of 32 deg 31 min N.
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 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)
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