Cobia fishing out of Folly Beach covers a lot of water, from a 15 ft pier reef to Comanche Reef at 105 ft. This page lays out the distances, depths and named grounds for an angler running their own boat. Atlantic Breeze Charters places cobia in summer, and Write Off The Rip Charters rates October odds as poor.
When cobia are off Folly Beach
Local operators place cobia in summer and rate October poorly. For the regional and migration picture, see cobia along the Atlantic Southeast (see also the Atlantic Southeast region guide).
| Window | What local operators say |
|---|---|
| Summer | Atlantic Breeze lists cobia among its summer catches |
| October | Write Off The Rip rates cobia odds as poor |
Summer
Atlantic Breeze lists cobia among its summer catches. That is the only statement on timing from local operators.
October
Write Off The Rip rates October cobia odds as poor, so summer is the better time to plan for.
How far boats run
The run spans man-made reefs about 5 miles off Folly to the Charleston 60′ Reef about 15 miles out, then to Comanche Reef farther still. The Folly Beach port guide covers the 60′ Reef, Comanche Reef and the Gulf Stream distance in more detail.
From near to far:
- Man-made reefs, about 5 miles off Folly (Atlantic Breeze)
- Capers Artificial Reef, about 12 miles east of the Charleston Harbor Jetties
- Charleston 60′ Reef, about 15 miles offshore per FishingBooker
- Comanche Reef, farther offshore than the 60′ Reef
- Gulf Stream edge, which begins around 70 miles offshore per the Folly guide (range context only)
Grounds and structure that hold them
These are the named grounds near Folly Beach, from shallow and near to deep and far.
| Ground | Depth | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Folly Beach Fishing Pier artificial reef | 15 ft | Off the Folly Beach pier |
| Man-made reefs (Atlantic Breeze) | Not given | About 5 miles off Folly |
| Morris Island Lighthouse area | Not given | A short boat ride north of Folly Beach |
| Charleston Harbor Jetties | Not given | At the Charleston Harbor inlet |
| Capers Artificial Reef | 40 ft | About 12 miles east of the Charleston Harbor Jetties |
| Charleston 60′ Reef | 60 ft | About 15 miles offshore |
| Comanche Reef | 105 ft | Farther offshore than the Charleston 60′ Reef |
The jetties and Morris Island are named structure near Folly Beach.
Charleston 60′ Reef
The 60′ Reef sits in 60 ft, about 15 miles offshore. It is one of the two grounds the Folly guide names for where boats run.
Comanche Reef
Comanche Reef sits in 105 ft. It is the deepest named ground here and lies beyond the 60′ Reef.
Nearshore reefs
The pier reef is in 15 ft, the man-made reefs sit about 5 miles off, and Capers is in 40 ft. The pier reef’s distance offshore isn’t given.
How cobia are fished here
Write Off The Rip’s FAQ names live bait or artificial lures, fished near buoys or reefs. For rigs, tackle and general technique, see our cobia fishing guide.
Live bait
Live bait is one of the two methods Write Off The Rip lists.
Artificial lures
Artificial lures are the other method on the same list.
Buoys and reefs
Write Off The Rip points to buoys and reefs as the places to fish both methods. Atlantic Breeze shows cobia catches on its site but gives no method detail.
Who fishes for cobia out of Folly
Write Off The Rip Charters lists cobia, rates October odds as poor and names live bait or artificial lures near buoys or reefs.
Atlantic Breeze Charters fishing trips describe man-made reefs about 5 miles off Folly and list cobia among their summer catches.
If you want a Folly Beach cobia charter before running your own boat, start with these two operators.
FAQ about cobia fishing out of Folly Beach
When is cobia season at Folly Beach?
Atlantic Breeze lists cobia among its summer catches. Write Off The Rip rates October odds as poor. For cobia fishing out of Folly Beach, plan around summer.
Are cobia around in October?
Write Off The Rip rates October odds as poor, so summer is the better time to plan for.
How far out is the Charleston 60′ Reef?
About 15 miles offshore per FishingBooker, in 60 ft.
How deep is Comanche Reef?
Comanche Reef is 105 ft, farther offshore than the Charleston 60′ Reef.
What baits work for cobia here?
Live bait or artificial lures near buoys or reefs, per Write Off The Rip.
Which charters target cobia, and what else can I fish for on the same trip?
Write Off The Rip Charters and Atlantic Breeze Charters list cobia. For other species, see our coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
