Georgia · Georgia Coast
COBIA FISHING
IN TYBEE ISLAND
Tybee Island is an excellent destination for cobia fishing, with peak season in April, May and good catches in June. Book a charter and target cobia with local experts.
About Cobia Fishing in Tybee Island
A powerful, curious fish often found near buoys, rays, and structure. Excellent eating and hard fighters.
Cobia are powerful, unique gamefish that look like nothing else in the ocean — a flat, broad head, single dorsal fin, and dark brown coloring with a distinctive black lateral stripe running from head to tail, with lighter stripes above and below. They are often found near buoys, rays, sea turtles, and other large objects, using them as shade and ambush cover. Cobia are curious fish that will approach boats, and sight-casting to cruising cobia is one of the most exciting experiences in inshore/nearshore fishing.
Scientific name: Rachycentron canadum
Cobia Seasonal Calendar — Tybee Island
Month-by-month availability for cobia in Tybee Island, GA.
How to Catch Cobia in Tybee Island
Techniques & Bait
Sight-casting to cobia following rays or cruising near buoys is the premier technique — throw a live eel, large live crab, or large jig directly in front of a cruising fish. Live eels are the #1 bait. Large jigs (1-2 oz) in brown, white, or chartreuse bounced near structure work well. Chumming with cut baitfish over wrecks and reefs draws cobia up from the bottom. During the spring migration, anchoring near channel markers and buoys with live bait (pinfish, crabs) catches fish as they migrate along the coast.
Recommended Tackle
Medium-heavy spinning or conventional rod (7 ft), 5000-6000 reel, 20-30 lb braid, 40-60 lb fluorocarbon leader, 5/0-7/0 circle hooks. Cobia make blistering initial runs — make sure your drag is set properly.
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Tybee Island
Top spots where local captains target cobia and other nearshore species.
Tybee Island Jetties
The rock jetties at the north end of Tybee Island guard the Savannah River entrance and create one of the most productive nearshore fishing structures on the Georgia coast. Sheepshead, redfish, flounder, tarpon, Spanish mackerel, and black drum hold along the rocks, with different species dominating at different seasons. The south jetty is accessible by foot from Tybee's North Beach, making it one of the few shore-accessible jetty fishing opportunities on the Georgia coast.
Tybee Reef (Artificial Reef)
Tybee Reef is a designated artificial reef site located a few miles offshore of Tybee Island, built up with concrete rubble, reef balls, and steel structures that attract black sea bass, sheepshead, flounder, and speckled trout. The reef's relatively shallow depth makes it accessible on calm days to small boats launching from Lazaretto Creek. Georgia's Department of Natural Resources maintains the site with periodic deployments of new material to keep the reef productive.
Savannah River Mouth
The Savannah River mouth where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean creates a massive tidal exchange zone where tarpon, jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and cobia patrol during the warmer months. The convergence of freshwater outflow and saltwater creates a nutrient-rich feeding zone that attracts baitfish and predators from the surrounding waters. Summer tarpon fishing at the Savannah River mouth has become a premier nearshore pursuit for Tybee Island charter boats.
Tybee Island Pier
The Tybee Island Pier extends into the Atlantic from the island's south beach, providing shore-based fishing access over sandy bottom that holds whiting, pompano, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and flounder. The pier's concrete pilings attract sheepshead and black drum to the barnacle-covered structure. The pier is one of Georgia's most popular shore fishing destinations, offering the chance to catch ocean species without a boat from Tybee's iconic beachfront.
Other Species in Tybee Island
More fish you can target while visiting Tybee Island.
Cobia Fishing in Tybee Island — FAQ
The peak months for Cobia fishing in Tybee Island are April, May. During these months, Cobia are most active and abundant in the Tybee Island area.
Cobia fishing charters in Tybee Island are typically nearshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Sight-casting to cobia following rays or cruising near buoys is the premier technique — throw a live eel, large live crab, or large jig directly in front of a cruising fish. Live eels are the #1 bait. Large jigs (1-2 oz) in brown, white, or chartreuse bounced near structure work well. Chumming with cut baitfish over wrecks and reefs draws cobia up from the bottom. During the spring migration, anchoring near channel markers and buoys with live bait (pinfish, crabs) catches fish as they migrate along the coast.
No — when you book a charter in Tybee Island, your captain provides all required Georgia fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Cobia regulations in Georgia include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Cobia in Tybee Island, you may also catch Redfish, Sheepshead, Black Drum, King Mackerel, Black Sea Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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