Cobia fishing out of Hilton Head Island is a spring fishery. Boats fish inshore in Port Royal Sound and the Broad River, and offshore on the PA-numbered artificial reefs listed in the Hilton Head Island port guide. Cobia sit alongside other species in the coastal and offshore gamefish guides. This page covers when the fish are here, which structure sits at which depth, how they are fished locally, and who runs trips.
When cobia are here
The run window is late March through June. For the wider migration picture along the coast, see the Atlantic Southeast cobia guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide).
Spring run
A Live One fishes the run from late March through June, so plan trips around that window.
Spawning
Spawning runs April through June, according to Tale Hunter.
May harvest closure
FishingBooker reports that state-waters harvest is closed during May, which falls inside the run.
| Period | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Late March | Spring run begins (A Live One) |
| April | Spawning begins (Tale Hunter) |
| May | State-waters harvest closed (FishingBooker) |
| June | Spawning and the run both end |
Where boats run
Boats work from the inside out, starting in the sound and river and then moving to nearshore structure. The sources give names only, with no distances or run times.
Port Royal Sound
Port Royal Sound is the main inshore water boats run for cobia. The fish arrive in spring, especially in Port Royal Sound and Broad River.
Broad River
The Broad River is the second inshore water fished for cobia, alongside the sound.
Nearshore reefs and wrecks
Boats also run to nearshore reefs and wrecks. Hilton Head Reef and Betsy Ross Reef are the named offshore grounds, and the table in the next section lists the rest.
Reefs and wrecks that hold cobia out of Hilton Head
The named structure ranges from 9 ft to 90 ft.
| Reef | PA number | Depth (ft) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fish America Reef | PA-45 | 9 | reef |
| Gaskins Bank Wreck | n/a | 10 | wreck |
| General Gordon Reef | PA-41 | 18 | wreck |
| White Water Reef | PA-47 | 30 | reef |
| Beaufort 45 Reef | PA-42 | 45 | reef |
| Hilton Head Reef | PA-49 | 50 | reef |
| Eagle’s Nest Reef | PA-48 | 60 | reef |
| Betsy Ross Reef | PA-44 | 90 | reef |
Depths are listed values, not soundings. DNR lists Beaufort 45 Reef by coordinates only. Hilton Head Reef sits in 50 ft, per the Hilton Head Reef listing. Reef positions on the Chart Contours layer are for planning, not navigation.
How cobia are fished here
The cobia species guide covers general biology and tackle. This section covers what is specific to this port.
Live bait and a chum slick
Local anglers fish live greenies, thread herring or menhaden on floating lines over a chum slick, according to Tale Hunter’s Betsy Ross article. The floating lines and the chum slick are used together.
Dead baits, jigs and spoons
FishingBooker reports that cobia here are also taken on live and dead baits, metal jigs and spoons.
Reading the tide
Use NOAA tide station 8669167 at Port Royal Plantation, Hilton Head, as the reference for timing your tide.
Charters that fish cobia
These local charters list cobia:
- Tale Hunter Hilton Head Fishing Charters: Capt. Joe Smith is named on its Betsy Ross Reef article.
- Izzy-a Hilton Head Fishing Charters: Lists cobia.
- Tail Tamer Fishing Charters: Capt. Terry Hall. Daily trips from the company dock at Broad Creek Marina.
- Salty Mistress Sport Fishing: Above and Below Charters runs a 2002 Rampage 38 Express with twin Caterpillar diesels.
FAQ: cobia fishing out of Hilton Head Island
When is the cobia run at Hilton Head Island?
Late March through June. Spawning runs April through June.
Can I keep a cobia in May?
Harvest in state waters is closed during May. Check SCDNR rules before you fish, including the rules for federal waters at the farther reefs.
Which reef near Hilton Head is deepest?
Betsy Ross Reef, PA-44, at 90 ft. Hilton Head Reef, PA-49, sits at 50 ft.
What bait works for cobia here?
Live greenies, thread herring or menhaden on floating lines over a chum slick. Dead baits, metal jigs and spoons also take fish.
Which Hilton Head charters fish for cobia?
Tale Hunter, Izzy-a, Tail Tamer, and Above and Below (Salty Mistress).
