Cobia
Cobia Fishing in South Carolina
A large, powerful fish most abundant from Virginia through the Gulf, often found near buoys, wrecks, sharks, and rays. Cobia move north and inshore in summer, and anglers sight cast to them or fish live crabs and small fish.
- Waters
- 1
- State
- South Carolina
- Water
- Saltwater
- Methods
- Fly, Spin & Bait
Prime Months in South Carolina: No Agency Season Found
Spawning in South Carolina: May to Aug, per SCDNR (when the fish spawn, not a fishing season)
What to Use for Cobia
Cobia
No agency season found
Fly
9 ft 10 to 12 wt rod, intermediate or floating line, 50 to 60 lb bite leader, large eel and baitfish flies.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodOrvis Clearwater 9 ft 12 wt Fly RodCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 10 to 12 weightCheck Price
- LineRIO Elite Tropical OutBound Short Fly Line · WF10I, intermediateCheck Price
Tie On in November
No flies listed for this fish here yet.
Spin / Cast
7 to 7.5 ft heavy spinning rod, 6000 to 8000 reel, 30 to 50 lb braid with a 50 to 60 lb fluorocarbon leader, bucktail jigs or live bait.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodUgly Stik Bigwater Spinning Rod · 7 ft medium heavy, 20 to 40 lb, 1 pieceCheck Price
- ReelPenn Battle IV Spinning Reel · 6000 or 8000Check Price
- LinePowerPro Spectra Braided Line · 30 lb, 40 lb or 50 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
Typical picks from October, our closest listed month. Ask a local shop what is working in November.
- Lure for October · 1/4 to 2 ozBucktail JigCast to sighted fish.See Options
- Bait for October · 3 to 6 inLive Pinfish and Mullet
- Bait for October · Silver dollar sizeLive Crabs
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Licenses & Regulations
Most anglers need a South Carolina fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.
