When cobia are off Edisto Beach
Cobia fishing out of Edisto Beach runs from late spring through summer, according to Palm State Fishing. Summer cobia tournaments near Edisto also show up in local listings. The port reference for Edisto Beach covers the ways out and where to read conditions. Biology and migration are in the cobia species guide, and the Atlantic Southeast cobia guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide) covers the regional picture.
Where boats run and the structure that holds them
Boats run to the nearshore reefs in about 40-60 ft. That band is the core of the local cobia picture, and every ground below is best read against it.
| Ground | PA number | Depth (ft) | Marker or position | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nearshore reefs (general) | about 30 and deeper | |||
| CCA-Edisto 40′ Reef | PA-31 | Reef buoy 32 25.280N, 080 11.780W | ||
| Edisto 60′ Reef | PA-30 | 60 | Reef buoy 32 21.411N, 080 05.155W | 260-foot barge |
| Edisto Offshore Reef | PA-36 | 50-72 | Unmarked | 23.5 miles from Stono Inlet |
| Edisto Banks (the ledge) | 150 on top to 800 on the drop | North-south, about 20 miles | ||
| A-Can | Off the South Edisto River mouth |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Chart layers are not for navigation. Verify every position on official charts before you run.
Nearshore reefs: about 30 ft and deeper
Nearshore reefs off Edisto sit in about 30 ft and deeper. The grounds that matter most to cobia boats here fall inside the 40-60 ft band.
CCA-Edisto 40′ Reef (PA-31)
Reef buoy: 32 25.280N, 080 11.780W. Of the two buoyed reefs in the table above, this is the closer one.
Edisto 60′ Reef (PA-30) and the 260-foot barge
60 ft. Reef buoy: 32 21.411N, 080 05.155W. A 260-foot barge was added at this reef, and CCA coverage described it as a "cobia magnet."
Edisto Offshore Reef (PA-36)
50-72 ft. Unmarked, 23.5 miles from Stono Inlet. Because there is no reef buoy, the run depends on your own verified waypoints.
Edisto Banks (the ledge)
150 ft on top to 800 ft on the drop. This steep drop-off runs north-south for about 20 miles and lies well beyond the 40-60 ft band that holds most of the local cobia effort.
A-Can off the South Edisto River mouth
A-Can is a named structure off the South Edisto River mouth.
Reading conditions: NDBC 41004
NDBC Station 41004 EDISTO sits 41 NM southeast of Charleston at 32.502N, 79.099W, in 35 m of water. It lies offshore of the nearshore reefs, so its readings describe water well outside the 40-60 ft grounds.
Read wind, wave height and wave period as numbers, then check the NWS Charleston marine forecast.
How cobia are fished here
Locally, cobia are fished with bucktails and live pinfish, both worked on the reefs above.
Bucktails
Bucktails are the local artificial. Fish them on the nearshore reefs in the 40-60 ft band.
Live pinfish
Live pinfish are the local live bait. Keep them lively and fish them on the same grounds.
Cobia as an opportunity species on full-day offshore trips
Palm State treats cobia as an opportunity species on full-day offshore trips. The offshore gamefish guides cover the other species those trips target. Keep a cobia rod rigged when the run goes past the nearshore reefs.
Who fishes for cobia out of Edisto
Three local charters list cobia:
- Palm State Fishing: lists cobia on its offshore trips.
- Second Wind Charters: Capt. Kevin Latham, 26′ Sea Hunt 265 Ultra center console, up to 6 anglers.
- Fontaine Charters: lists cobia on its trips.
Summer tournament anglers also work these grounds.
FAQ: cobia fishing out of Edisto Beach
When is cobia season out of Edisto Beach?
Palm State puts cobia fishing out of Edisto Beach in late spring through summer. Fishanywhere mentions summer cobia tournaments near Edisto.
How deep do boats fish for cobia off Edisto?
About 40-60 ft on the nearshore reefs, which run about 30 ft and deeper.
What is the barge at the Edisto 60′ Reef?
It is a 260-foot barge added at the Edisto 60′ Reef (PA-30), in 60 ft. CCA coverage called it a cobia magnet. Reef buoy: 32 21.411N, 080 05.155W.
Is the Edisto Offshore Reef marked?
No. PA-36 is unmarked. It sits in 50-72 ft, 23.5 miles from Stono Inlet.
Which buoy reports conditions off Edisto?
NDBC Station 41004 EDISTO, 41 NM southeast of Charleston at 32.502N, 79.099W, in 35 m of water. It sits offshore of the nearshore reefs. Read wind, wave height and period, then check the NWS forecast.
Where are the cobia limits for Edisto?
On the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources pages, with federal rules applying farther offshore. Check before you fish.
