Species guide · South Carolina

Cobia fishing in South Carolina

Rachycentron canadum, a nearshore species also called ling, lemonfish and crabeater. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Shoulder season, about 2 more weeks.

Right now it scores best in Charleston Harbor at 54, one of 4 South Carolina bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Shoulder season

Where it's scoring now All South Carolina waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

South Atlantic

Shoulder season, about 2 more weeks

Jan: Off season
Feb: Off season
Mar: Shoulder season
Apr: Peak season
May: Peak season
Jun: Peak season
Jul: Shoulder season
Aug: Shoulder season
Sep: Shoulder season
Oct: Off season
Nov: Off season
Dec: Off season

Peak: Apr to Jun. In season (shoulder or peak): Mar to Sep.

Research notes, South Atlantic region

Fish pass Florida's east coast in spring, fill Port Royal and St. Helena sounds in South Carolina to spawn April through June, and reach North Carolina inlets in May and June. SCDNR has closed state waters south of Jeremy Inlet during May; check current rules.

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 4

South Carolina bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's cobia score this hour.

54Good

Charleston Harbor

Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (56) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 PM (66) · 37 named spots

54Good

Coastal waters from Murrells Inlet to South Santee River SC out 20 NM

Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (54) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 PM (65) · 6 named spots

52Good

Coastal waters from Edisto Beach SC to Savannah GA out 20 NM

Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (57) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 6 PM (65) · 28 named spots

51Good

Coastal waters from Little River Inlet to Murrells Inlet SC out 20 NM

Best window today 8-11 PM (51) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 9 AM (59) · 1 named spot

How and where it feeds

Water temperature: Feeds from 66°F to 86°F, best between 68°F and 80°F.
Water depth: 3 to 120 ft of water.
Structure: Inlet, wreck, pier, beach, reef, bay and open water, in that order of preference.
Tide and current: Prefers incoming tide and moving water, with moderate current.Inshore fish in sounds, inlets and the Chesapeake feed on a moving tide, and anglers chumming at inlets usually favor the incoming. Sight-casting along beaches depends more on calm, clear water and high sun than on tide stage.
Light: Little tied to dawn and dusk.
Pressure: Little response to pressure changes.
Wind and sea limits: 18 kt of wind and 3 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Cobia cruise inlets, beaches, buoys, wrecks and the backs of rays in 5 to 100 feet of water. On calm, sunny days sight-cast bucktails or live eels to fish near the surface. Otherwise anchor up-current of structure, chum, and fish live eels, crabs or menhaden near the bottom.

Methods: sight casting, anchoring and chumming, bottom fishing with live bait, drifting, jigging
Lures: bucktail jigs, soft plastic eels, jigs tipped with plastic tails, large spoons
Bait: live eels, live crabs, menhaden, pinfish, croaker, squid, shrimp

Regulations

SCDNR saltwater regulations Buy a South Carolina fishing license License types

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Synced with SCDNR Sep 16, 2026.

No reviewed cobia rule for South Carolina is on file yet. Check with SCDNR before you keep one.