When cobia are around Darien
Reel Busy Shark Charter’s calendar rates cobia at "Good Odds" for October. That rating is the only timing signal available for this port; no season is published.
The seasonal picture for the wider coast is in the Atlantic Southeast cobia guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast region guide).
Where boats run: grounds and structure
Cobia fishing out of Darien runs from beach reefs 2.5 nautical miles off Blackbeard Island in 10 to 16 ft to the R2 Navy tower, 38 nautical miles east of Sapelo Island in 72 ft. Boats leave from the Darien port page area and reach the Atlantic through Doboy Sound. Blackbeard Island and Sapelo Island are the reference landmarks for most distances.
The grounds below are listed roughly by distance, from the Doboy Sound entrance out to the long runs. Each distance is measured from the landmark its source uses, so the figures don’t share a single starting point. Chart layers are not for navigation.
| Ground | Type | Depth | Distance | Landmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old D buoy | buoy | n/a | about 2 miles | Doboy Sound entrance |
| BH reef | beach reef | 10 to 16 ft | 2.5 nm east | Blackbeard Island |
| BL reef | beach reef | 9 to 15 ft | about 3 nm | n/a |
| KTK reef | offshore artificial reef | 35 to 45 ft | 7 nm east | Blackbeard Island |
| J reef (JY) | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Gray’s Reef NMS | sanctuary | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Middlegrounds 70-foot spot | n/a | 70 ft | n/a | n/a |
| R2 Navy tower | tower | 72 ft | 38 nm east | Sapelo Island |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Old D buoy
The buoy sits about 2 miles offshore at the entrance to Doboy Sound. It is the closest named mark on the list.
BH reef
A beach reef in 10 to 16 ft, 2.5 nautical miles east of Blackbeard Island.
BL reef
A beach reef in 9 to 15 ft, about 3 nautical miles out.
KTK reef
An offshore artificial reef in 35 to 45 ft, 7 nautical miles east of Blackbeard Island. It is the first mark past the beach reefs.
J reef (JY)
Listed as JY and formerly J.
Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
Gray’s Reef is a federally managed sanctuary. Read the sanctuary’s official fishing page before fishing inside it.
Middlegrounds 70-foot spot
A 70 ft mark. Boats aim to be on the spot by 7:45.
R2 Navy tower
A tower in 72 ft, 38 nautical miles east of Sapelo Island. It is the longest run on the list.
Reading conditions: NDBC 41008
The nearest NOAA buoy is NDBC 41008, Gray’s Reef, at 31.400N 80.866W, which NOAA describes as 40 NM southeast of Savannah, GA. Check wind, wave height and period there before a long run, then check the official NOAA marine forecast for your zone.
How it’s fished and who runs for them
Two operators list cobia, and their listings are the only guide to who fishes for them from this port.
Charters that list cobia
Two operators list cobia for anglers who want to fish out of Darien on someone else’s boat. Reel Busy Shark Charter runs with Captain Billy Stafford. Coastal Ga Fishing, which has boats at Shellman Bluff, also lists the species.
Both include cobia among their offshore catches, and both listings cover the whole coast rather than specific grounds. For the wider set of offshore catches, see the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
Methods
No method specific to this port is published. General cobia methods, baits and behavior are in the cobia species guide.
FAQ about cobia fishing out of Darien
How far out is the R2 Navy tower off Georgia?
38 nautical miles east of Sapelo Island, in 72 ft. Check NDBC 41008 and the marine forecast before the run.
What depth is KTK reef?
35 to 45 ft, 7 nautical miles east of Blackbeard Island. It is an offshore artificial reef.
Is October good for cobia around Darien?
Reel Busy Shark Charter rates cobia at "Good Odds" for October. No season is published for the port.
Which buoy should I check before running offshore?
NDBC 41008 Gray’s Reef, at 31.400N 80.866W, which NOAA describes as 40 NM southeast of Savannah, GA. Read wind, wave height and period, and check the official forecast.
Which charters list cobia near Darien?
Reel Busy Shark Charter (Captain Billy Stafford) and Coastal Ga Fishing, which has boats at Shellman Bluff. Both list cobia among coast-wide offshore catches.
