Cobia fishing out of Golden Isles runs from May to August, and most boats run to reef and nearshore structure about 10 to 15 miles out. The named state reefs sit 7 to 18 nautical miles east of the Cumberland Island chain, and longer trips push farther offshore. Inlets, ramps and conditions are in the Golden Isles port guide.
Cobia season out of Golden Isles
Cobia are here from May to August, the window St. Simons Fishing Center lists, so plan around it. For where the fish come from and where they go, see cobia along the Southeast Atlantic (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide).
| Window | Months |
|---|---|
| Cobia listed by local operators | May to August |
How far boats run
Runs fall into two tiers: the nearshore reefs and the trips farther out.
Nearshore reefs
The Georgia Fishing Company runs to reef and nearshore structure about 10 to 15 miles out. Southeastern Angling fishes the nearshore reefs off St. Simons, Sea Island and Jekyll. Most day trips stay on this tier, targeting reef and wreck structure. Distances come from the operators’ own descriptions.
Farther out
Captain Mark Noble runs "go farther out" trips. Southeastern Angling lists a 40 mile live bottom about 40 miles offshore, and The Ledge is fished offshore on Gulf Stream trips.
Reefs and structure that hold cobia
The state reefs are listed by depth and by distance from an island landmark rather than from St. Simons, so note the reference point on each line. Georgia’s offshore artificial reef guide carries the state list.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Distance and reference point |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Reef A | 45 | 7 nautical miles east of Little Cumberland Island |
| Georgia Reef CDH (formerly C) | 55 | 13.5 nautical miles east of Cumberland Island |
| Georgia Reef SFC | 55 | 18 nautical miles east of Little Cumberland Island |
| G Reef (state list: HLHA, formerly G) |
These reefs plot as waypoints on the map. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Georgia Reef A
Georgia Reef A sits in 45 ft, 7 nautical miles east of Little Cumberland Island. It is the closest of the listed reefs.
Georgia Reef CDH
Georgia Reef CDH, formerly C, sits in 55 ft, 13.5 nautical miles east of Cumberland Island. The distance is measured from Cumberland Island, not Little Cumberland.
Georgia Reef SFC and the Golden Ray
Georgia Reef SFC sits in 55 ft, 18 nautical miles east of Little Cumberland Island. It holds the propeller and rudder section of the Golden Ray, a capsized vessel, partly removed, that lay on its port side in the Golden Isles.
G Reef (HLHA)
Operators call it G Reef. The state list shows it as HLHA, formerly G.
40 mile live bottom
The 40 mile live bottom lies about 40 miles offshore, per Southeastern Angling.
The Ledge
The Ledge is fished offshore on Gulf Stream trips.
How cobia are fished here and who runs them
Locally, cobia are fished on reef and wreck trips. For rigs, baits and tactics, see the cobia fishing guide.
Six operators list cobia out of this port:
St. Simons Fishing Center
St. Simons Fishing Center lists cobia from May to August.
Captain Mark Noble (Georgia Fishing)
Captain Mark Noble’s Georgia Fishing runs "go farther out" trips.
The Georgia Fishing Company
The Georgia Fishing Company runs to reef and nearshore structure about 10 to 15 miles out.
Southeastern Angling
Southeastern Angling charters fish the nearshore reefs off St. Simons, Sea Island and Jekyll, and the 40 mile live bottom.
Georgia Saltwater Adventures
Georgia Saltwater Adventures is run by Captain Kevin Dezern (owner) and Captain Dave Madray, and lists cobia.
Jekyll Island Fishing Center
Jekyll Island Fishing Center lists cobia.
FAQ: cobia fishing out of Golden Isles
When are cobia around Golden Isles?
May to August, per St. Simons Fishing Center.
How far out do boats run for cobia?
About 10 to 15 miles to reef and nearshore structure. Longer trips go to the 40 mile live bottom and to The Ledge on Gulf Stream trips.
Which reef is closest?
Georgia Reef A: 45 ft, 7 nautical miles east of Little Cumberland Island.
What is G Reef?
It is the operators’ name for the reef the state list shows as HLHA, formerly G.
Where are the Golden Ray parts, and what else is on these reefs?
The propeller and rudder section of the Golden Ray sits on Georgia Reef SFC: 55 ft, 18 nautical miles east of Little Cumberland Island. For other fish on the same reefs and trips, see the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
