Cobia fishing out of Pompano Beach centers on rays, buoys, wrecks and reef-edge structure. Most drifts run in about 20-60 ft, and Hillsboro Inlet is the way out. For biology and general habits, see the cobia species guide.
When cobia are around Pompano Beach
The local sources give different windows, but all of them include spring.
Oct-Apr
Captain Sunshine’s species list shows cobia from October through April, which covers a winter visit.
Spring pulses and migration
RingMaster describes spring pulses of cobia. Don’t Panic’s cobia charter page points to the warmer months and spring migration periods. The Atlantic Southeast cobia guide (see also the wider Atlantic Southeast guide) covers the wider coastal picture.
Spring-summer
Hillsboro Inlet Fishing Center’s tips list cobia in spring-summer. Spring is the one period every source includes, and none of them names a single peak month.
Where boats run for cobia
Depth band and structure type matter more than individual site names, so those come first. Hillsboro Inlet is the way out, and Shipwreck Park sits just off it.
Sand and reef edges, 20-60 ft
RingMaster lists drifts over sand and reef edges in 20-60 ft, which is a reasonable working band.
Buoys and rays
Rays and buoys are part of the structure picture here. Don’t Panic sight-casts to cobia near buoys and wrecks.
Shipwreck Park
Lady Luck sits about 1 mile SE of Hillsboro Inlet, and Lady Luck and Okinawa both fall in map grid K-7. Both sit deeper than the 20-60 ft sand and reef-edge drifts.
| Site | Type | Depth | Map grid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lady Luck (Shipwreck Park), about 1 mile SE of Hillsboro Inlet | wreck | 126 ft | K-7 |
| Okinawa (Shipwreck Park) | wreck | 70 ft | K-7 |
| Pompano Drop Off | drop-off | K-8 |
Pompano Drop Off and the Edge
Pompano Drop Off is in map grid K-8 on the Pompano Beach visitor dive map. Sailfish Alley, also called the Edge, is the shelf drop-off.
Named ledges and reefs
The named reef and ledge sites are Pompano Trench, Lost Ledge, Suzzane’s Ledge, Pompano 3rd Reef Ridge, Steve’s Twin Ledges, Shark Reef, Touchdown Reef, Grouper Bend and Nursery. Hillsboro Ledge, Lighthouse Ledge and Horseshoe Reef are listed as Pompano Beach dive sites.
Named wrecks
The named wrecks are:
- Sucre, Miller Lite, Mariner II Tug, Union Express
- Mary St. Philip, Rodeo 25, Quallman Tugs, RSB-1
- RBJ, Chris Corey, Renegade, Lowrance
- Captain Dan, Guy Harvey, SS Copenhagen, Caicos Express
How cobia are fished here
The methods follow from the structure above.
Live bait around rays, buoys and structure
The local method is live baits fished around rays, buoys and structure, meaning the same buoys, wrecks and reef edges named above.
The pitch rod
Don’t Panic keeps a pitch rod rigged on reef and wreck trips. It is used for sight-casting a pitched bait or jig to cobia near buoys and wrecks.
Who fishes for cobia out of Pompano Beach
Three charters list cobia fishing out of Pompano Beach, and each runs its own boats.
RingMaster Charters
The 53′ Hatteras RingMaster carries three fighting chairs. The charter is at ringmastercharters.com. RingMaster lists spring pulses and drifts over sand and reef edges in 20-60 ft.
Don’t Panic Sportfishing
Don’t Panic (47′ Buddy Davis) and Don’t Panic!! (42′ Post) fish out of Pompano Beach. The pitch rod and sight-casting come from this crew.
Captain Sunshine Fishing Charters
Captains Jade and Zoli run Captain Sunshine Fishing Charters.
Sailfish Challenge and the Rodeo
The Sailfish Challenge is usually held in February. Cobia is also a Rodeo species, and it fits alongside the reef and wreck fish in the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
FAQ about cobia fishing out of Pompano Beach
When are cobia off Pompano Beach?
Local sources differ. Captain Sunshine lists October through April. RingMaster describes spring pulses, and Don’t Panic describes warmer months and spring migration. Hillsboro Inlet Fishing Center lists spring-summer. Spring is the overlap, and no source names a single peak month.
What depth do boats fish?
About 20-60 ft over sand and reef edges. The Shipwreck Park wrecks sit deeper: Lady Luck is at 126 ft and Okinawa is at 70 ft.
Where is Shipwreck Park?
Lady Luck is about 1 mile SE of Hillsboro Inlet. Lady Luck and Okinawa both fall in map grid K-7.
What is a pitch rod for?
It is for sight-casting a pitched bait or jig to cobia near buoys and wrecks. Don’t Panic keeps one rigged on reef and wreck trips.
Which local charters list cobia?
RingMaster Charters (the 53′ Hatteras RingMaster), Don’t Panic Sportfishing (Don’t Panic and Don’t Panic!!) and Captain Sunshine Fishing Charters (Captains Jade and Zoli).
