South Carolina · Grand Strand
COBIA FISHING
IN NORTH MYRTLE BEACH
North Myrtle Beach is a solid destination for cobia fishing, with peak season in May and good catches in April, June. Book a charter and target cobia with local experts.
About Cobia Fishing in North Myrtle Beach
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 — North Myrtle Beach
Month-by-month availability for cobia in North Myrtle Beach, SC.
How to Catch Cobia in North Myrtle Beach
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 North Myrtle Beach
Top spots where local captains target cobia and other nearshore species.
Cherry Grove Pier
Cherry Grove Pier extends 985 feet into the Atlantic and is one of the most iconic fishing piers on the Grand Strand. King mackerel, Spanish mackerel, flounder, whiting, and pompano are caught regularly, with massive king mackerel runs drawing tournament anglers each fall. The pier's proximity to Cherry Grove Inlet brings in extra current and baitfish activity.
Little River Offshore Artificial Reef
The Little River Artificial Reef is a complex of deployed structures roughly five miles offshore in 40-60 feet of water. Black sea bass, sheepshead, spadefish, flounder, and triggerfish congregate on the concrete and steel reef material year-round. It is an excellent nearshore bottom-fishing destination accessible on a short boat ride from the Little River fleet.
Apache Shoal
Apache Shoal is a natural sand and shell-bottom feature a few miles off North Myrtle Beach that attracts schools of whiting, pompano, Spanish mackerel, and bluefish. The shallow shoal concentrates bait over the sandy rises, creating a feeding zone that predators patrol during spring and fall. It is a productive drift-fishing spot for light-tackle anglers.
Yaupon Reef
Yaupon Reef is a patch of natural hard bottom and rock outcroppings roughly eight miles off the North Myrtle Beach coast. Black sea bass, vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and sheepshead hold tight to the reef structure, while king mackerel and cobia cruise overhead in warmer months. Its moderate depth makes it accessible to smaller boats on calm days.
Other Species in North Myrtle Beach
More fish you can target while visiting North Myrtle Beach.
Cobia Fishing in North Myrtle Beach — FAQ
The peak months for Cobia fishing in North Myrtle Beach are May. During these months, Cobia are most active and abundant in the North Myrtle Beach area.
Cobia fishing charters in North Myrtle Beach 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 North Myrtle Beach, your captain provides all required South Carolina fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Cobia regulations in South Carolina 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 North Myrtle Beach, you may also catch Redfish, Sheepshead, King Mackerel, Pompano, Black Sea Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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