Cobia fishing out of Little River runs from spring into July over nearshore live bottom and the artificial reefs off the inlet. Live bottom is hard, natural seafloor that grows sponge and coral and holds baitfish. This guide covers timing, the run, named structure with depths, the local method and the charters that list cobia here.
When cobia are off Little River
Inlet and port detail are on the Little River page, and general cobia information is in our cobia fishing guide. This page covers only what is specific to Little River Inlet and the water in front of it.
The season
Cobia show up in spring and stay into July. The FishingBooker Little River guide says they leave by the end of July, so plan trips inside that window. For how the spring run moves along the coast, see the Atlantic Southeast cobia guide (see also the wider Atlantic Southeast guide).
The run out
The Little River Offshore Reef (PA-02) is on a bearing of 156 degrees, 10.5 nm from Little River Inlet. Its position and depth are listed on the SC DNR artificial reef locations page, and FishingBooker’s guide also names the offshore reef as a cobia spot.
Nearshore live bottoms and structure closer in shorten the run. Check the official marine forecast for wind, wave height and period before you leave the dock.
Grounds and structure
Cobia work structure that holds bait. These are the named grounds off the inlet.
| Ground | Depth | Distance/Bearing from inlet |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Offshore Reef (PA-02) | 55 ft | 156°, 10.5 nm |
| Little River Reef | 25 ft | |
| General Sherman Wreck | 48 ft | |
| BP-25 Reef | 92 ft | |
| Ninety Ninety Rock | Within a few miles of land | |
| Ron McManus Memorial Reef (PA-04) | ||
| Three Mile Reef | ||
| Blackjack | Offshore blackfin and mahi area |
Plot these on Chart Contours before the run so you know what bottom you are crossing. Chart layers and charted positions are not for navigation.
Little River Offshore Reef (PA-02)
PA-02 is the named cobia ground, in 55 ft of water at 156 degrees and 10.5 nm from Little River Inlet. It sits in federal water, so the federal rules in the regulations section below apply there.
Nearshore reefs and wrecks
- Little River Reef: 25 ft.
- General Sherman Wreck: 48 ft.
- Ron McManus Memorial Reef (PA-04): named structure near the port.
- Three Mile Reef: named nearshore reef.
Close-in and deeper structure
Ninety Ninety Rock sits within a few miles of land. BP-25 Reef is the deepest listed structure at 92 ft. Blackjack is a named offshore area for blackfin and mahi rather than a cobia ground; for those trips, see the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
How cobia are fished here
Two patterns cover most of the local fishing:
- Live bait over bait-holding bottom: Fish live bait over the live bottom and reefs where baitfish hold.
- Cobia under hooked fish: Cobia are often caught while bottom fishing and show up under hooked fish.
Live bait over bait-holding bottom
Start on the structure in the table above. Baitfish stack on live bottom and reefs, and cobia follow them. Put a live bait on the water over those spots and work it where the bait holds.
Cobia under a hooked fish
Keep a live bait rigged and ready while you bottom fish, and watch under every fish you bring up. For a boat already bottom fishing these grounds, this is the most likely shot at a cobia.
Who fishes for cobia out of Little River
These local operators list cobia, and they are a reasonable place to start if you want a Little River cobia charter before running your own boat.
Voyager Fishing Charters
Voyager Deep Sea Fishing & Dolphin Cruises runs Super Voyager III and Continental Shelf. The Voyager Fishing Charters trip page lists cobia among its trips.
Big O’s Fishing Charters
Captain Orlando runs a 35 ft Triton 351 with twin 425 HP Yamaha engines. Details are on the Big O’s Fishing Charters listing.
FAQ
When is cobia season out of Little River?
Spring into July. FishingBooker’s guide says cobia leave by the end of July.
How far is the Little River Offshore Reef?
It is 10.5 nm from Little River Inlet on a bearing of 156 degrees. Check the official marine forecast for wind, wave height and period before you go.
What depth is PA-02?
55 ft. Little River Reef is 25 ft, General Sherman Wreck is 48 ft and BP-25 Reef is 92 ft.
How do people go about cobia fishing out of Little River?
They fish live bait over bottom that holds baitfish. Cobia often show up under hooked fish while anglers bottom fish, so keep a live bait ready.
Which Little River charters list cobia?
Voyager Fishing Charters runs Super Voyager III and Continental Shelf. Big O’s Fishing Charters runs Captain Orlando’s 35 ft Triton 351.
Where are the rules for cobia here?
South Carolina rules cover state water, and federal rules apply at PA-02 and beyond. Before cobia fishing out of Little River, check SC DNR, NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
