Cobia fishing out of Islamorada starts in spring
Cobia fishing out of Islamorada is a spring fishery, and the grounds run from 6 ft reefs to a 200 ft seamount about 15 miles out. Boats leave from the oceanside marinas of Islamorada and run to the grounds below.
Cobia are most common here in spring, the window Go Time Sportfishing Charters lists for them. For how spring here fits the wider Atlantic Southeast run (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide), see the regional picture.
Three points matter for planning a trip:
- Timing: spring is the window.
- Reach: the shallow reefs sit nearshore, and the Islamorada Hump sits about 15 miles offshore.
- Depth range: 6 ft on the reefs to 200 ft on the Hump.
How far boats run
The grounds fall into two bands. The nearshore band runs 6 to 18 ft and covers the shallow reefs and the San Pedro preserve. The offshore band is the Islamorada Hump in 200 ft, about 15 miles out.
| Ground | Type | Depth (ft) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alligator Lighthouse and Cheeca Rocks | Shallow reefs | 6 | |
| San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve | Spanish galleon | 18 | |
| Islamorada Hump | Seamount | 200 | About 15 miles offshore |
A spring day can start on the shallow reefs and stretch to the Hump. Check wind, wave height and period on the NWS Key West coastal forecast before committing to the 15 mile run. No active NOAA buoy or tide station was confirmed for this stretch, so the forecast is the main source of numbers.
Grounds and structure that hold cobia
These are the named grounds near Islamorada, from shallow to deep. Save each as a waypoint and read it against the Chart Contours layer. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Shallow reefs: Alligator Lighthouse and Cheeca Rocks
Alligator Lighthouse and Cheeca Rocks are shallow reefs in 6 ft, the shallowest named grounds on the list. They make a good first stop because the run is short.
San Pedro preserve
The San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve is a Spanish galleon site in 18 ft. It sits in the nearshore band with the shallow reefs.
Alligator and Molasses reefs
Alligator Reef and Molasses Reef are named reef grounds in this area. Both belong on the waypoint list for a spring day.
Eagle, Bibb and Duane wrecks
The Eagle, Bibb and Duane are the named wrecks on the list. They are the structure to plan around when fishing wrecks for cobia out of this port.
Islamorada Hump
The Islamorada Hump is a seamount that rises from deep water, topping out in 200 ft about 15 miles offshore. It is the deepest and farthest ground here and marks the end of the run, so fish it last, once the nearshore grounds are covered.
How cobia are fished here and who fishes them
Cobia here are fished on structure, from 6 ft reefs to the 200 ft Hump.
On structure
Pick the ground by depth band. The shallow reefs and the galleon site sit nearshore, the wrecks and named reefs fill the middle, and the seamount holds the offshore end. The species guide covers baits, rigs and sight-casting.
Go Time Sportfishing Charters
Go Time Sportfishing Charters lists cobia. Capt. Galon runs private charters on a 26 ft World Cat 266 SF out of Robbie’s Marina, a local option for anglers who would rather not run their own boat.
FAQ: Cobia fishing out of Islamorada
When are cobia most common out of Islamorada?
In spring, the window Go Time Sportfishing Charters lists for this port.
How far is the Islamorada Hump?
About 15 miles offshore. It is a seamount that tops out in 200 ft and is the farthest ground on the run.
How deep is the San Pedro preserve?
18 ft. The San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve is a Spanish galleon site. The shallow reefs at Alligator Lighthouse and Cheeca Rocks are shallower, at 6 ft.
Who runs cobia charters from Robbie’s Marina?
Go Time Sportfishing Charters. Capt. Galon runs private charters on a 26 ft World Cat 266 SF out of Robbie’s Marina, and the operation lists cobia.
What else can I fish on the same run?
The same reefs, wrecks and Hump put you on water for other coastal and offshore gamefish.
