Cobia season out of Carrabelle
Cobia fishing out of Carrabelle is a spring and fall fishery, worked on surface fish and offshore structure. Every distance and bearing on this page is measured from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy. For the ramps, the pass and the rest of the port, see the Carrabelle port page.
Guidesly calls the cobia here "rare," so read every window below as a way to improve the odds, not a promise. The cobia species guide covers biology and migration, and the Gulf-wide cobia run (see also the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide) is covered separately.
| Window | What the local sources say |
|---|---|
| Spring | Gritwater fishes cobia in spring |
| April to June | Guidesly’s best window for the rare cobia |
| Fall | Gritwater fishes cobia in fall |
Spring and fall
Gritwater fishes cobia in spring and fall, so those are the two windows to plan trailering trips around.
April to June
Guidesly’s Carrabelle fishing overview lists April to June as the best window for the rare cobia. Anchors Aweigh lists cobia among its current openings. Peak months raise the odds but guarantee nothing.
Where boats run for cobia from Carrabelle
Named structure near Carrabelle ranges from 39 ft at 5.5 nm to 105 ft at 28.9 nm from Red 10. The fishing is on surface fish and offshore structure. The table runs from nearshore to offshore by distance, which covers most of the fuel and range planning.
| Site | AARA ID | Depth (ft) | Distance (nm) | Bearing from Red 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrabelle 3 Mile (one of several Carrabelle 3 Mile sites) | FR0018 | 39 | 5.5 | 107.2 |
| Robby’s Reef (2016 addition) | FR0039 | 52 | 11.6 | 127.7 |
| Carrabelle Reef Culverts | FR0012 | 70 | 14.5 | 169.5 |
| O-Tower Barge / Carrabelle Reef Barge | FR0013 | 74 | 15.0 | 169.0 |
| Carrabelle/Rotary | FR0011 | 15.6 | 176.7 | |
| K Tower | FR0007 | 60 | 17.2 | 113.8 |
| S Tower | FR0005 | 105 | 28.9 | 173.3 |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Bearings and distances are for planning only. The chart layers and reef data here are not for navigation.
Dog Island Reef
Dog Island Reef is listed for cobia.
Carrabelle 10 Mile Reef System
CCA Dr. Bart Carey Reef sits in the Carrabelle 10 Mile Reef System at 50 ft.
Other AARA reef sites on the list, in distance order:
- Carrabelle 3 Mile (FR0018): one of several Carrabelle 3 Mile sites, at 39 ft, 5.5 nm on bearing 107.2.
- Robby’s Reef (FR0039): a 2016 addition at 52 ft, 11.6 nm on bearing 127.7.
- Carrabelle Reef Culverts (FR0012): 70 ft, 14.5 nm on bearing 169.5.
Towers and barges
O-Tower Barge / Carrabelle Reef Barge (FR0013) sits at 74 ft, 15.0 nm on bearing 169.0. That is nearly the Culverts’ bearing (169.5) and about 0.5 nm closer in. Carrabelle/Rotary (FR0011) is 15.6 nm out on bearing 176.7.
K Tower (FR0007) is 60 ft at 17.2 nm on bearing 113.8, a more easterly bearing than the southern cluster.
S Tower (FR0005) is the deepest and farthest site on the list, at 105 ft and 28.9 nm on bearing 173.3. Plan fuel for the run out and back, and check the official NWS marine forecast before you go.
How cobia are fished here
The local game is surface fish plus structure offshore. Bucktail and gear details are in the bucktail and gear breakdowns, so this section stays local.
Sight and cast to surface fish
Fishanywhere’s Carrabelle fishing calendar describes surface fish that are sighted and cast to.
Troll past with bucktails and cut bait
Per Fishanywhere, surface fish are also trolled past with bucktails and cut bait. They move, so expect to cover water.
Structure on offshore trips
Shell Yeah and Gritwater list cobia on offshore trips. The towers, barge and reefs in the table above are the offshore structure on the list.
Who fishes for cobia out of Carrabelle
Three Carrabelle fishing charters list cobia.
Anchors Aweigh Fishing Charters & More
Anchors Aweigh Fishing Charters runs a 25 ft Sea Fox center console with a 300 hp Yamaha. It lists cobia among its current openings.
Shell Yeah Charters
Captain Pat McElreath is USCG OUPV licensed. Shell Yeah lists cobia on offshore trips. The operation is at shellyeahcharters.com.
Gritwater Outfitters USA
The Gritwater Outfitters USA site lists a 22 ft Twin Vee and a 22 ft Baycat, with Captain Terry Martin. Gritwater fishes cobia in spring and fall and lists cobia on offshore trips.
FAQ: cobia fishing out of Carrabelle
When is the best time for cobia out of Carrabelle?
Guidesly puts April to June as the best window for the rare cobia. Gritwater fishes them in spring and fall.
How far do boats run for cobia from Carrabelle?
Listed structure runs from 5.5 nm (Carrabelle 3 Mile) to 28.9 nm (S Tower) from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy.
What is the closest cobia structure to Carrabelle?
Dog Island Reef is listed for cobia. Carrabelle 3 Mile (FR0018) is 39 ft at 5.5 nm on bearing 107.2, and it is one of several Carrabelle 3 Mile sites.
What is the deepest site on the list?
S Tower (AARA FR0005) is at 105 ft, 28.9 nm on bearing 173.3 from Red 10.
How are cobia fished locally?
Surface fish are sighted and cast to, or trolled past with bucktails and cut bait. Offshore trips work structure.
Which charters list cobia out of Carrabelle?
Anchors Aweigh Fishing Charters & More, Shell Yeah Charters and Gritwater Outfitters USA.
