Cobia fishing out of St. Marys centers on April through June, from the jetty rocks out to reefs and wrecks in about 30 to 100 ft. This guide covers the season, how far boats run, the named grounds with depths, the two methods locals use and the charters that list cobia.
When cobia show up at St. Marys
The season peaks in spring and tapers into summer. For biology and migration, read the cobia species guide. For the coast-wide spring run, see Atlantic Southeast cobia (see also the wider Atlantic Southeast guide).
The local calendar in short:
- April through June: peak window for boats working structure.
- Spring and June: fish show on the beaches and inlet mouths.
- Summer: some fish remain after the peak.
Peak months
Rainbreak’s trip listing puts the peak at April through June, with some fish through summer.
Beaches and inlet mouths
Florida-side inlet reports put cobia on the beaches and inlet mouths in spring and June. The jetties guard that same water, so the rocks are the next stop.
Where boats run
Most cobia fishing out of St. Marys happens inside a 40-mile radius of the inlet. Check the official NWS marine forecast before you run.
The run, near to far:
- Jetties and channel buoys at St. Marys Inlet.
- Nearshore reefs east of Cumberland Island.
- Offshore ledges and wrecks out to the 40-mile mark.
- The Ledge, on the longest trips.
Jetties and the inlet
Florida-side reports name channel buoys and jetty rocks at St. Marys Inlet. A 50-pound-plus cobia is credited to a St. Marys jetty charter. Treat that as a size benchmark for this water rather than something to expect on any given trip.
Nearshore reefs
Reef KBY lies 8 nautical miles east of Cumberland Island. DNR describes MRY as deeper with clearer water than KBY. Reefs A and CDH are listed as nearby reefs on the KBY page. Depths for each are in the table below.
Ledges, wrecks and the Ledge
Florida-side reports name offshore ledges and wrecks. Rainbreak lists cobia on its 8-hour trip, which runs up to 40 miles. It also runs 12-hour trips to the Ledge, where trolling starts at 120 ft and runs to 200 ft, the far end of the local fleet’s range.
Who fishes them
- Rainbreak Charters out of St. Marys: Capt. James (Michael) Walker. It lists cobia on 8-hour trips.
- Cumberland Fishing Charters: Capt. Ben Allen, on a 25-ft Contender center console with twin Suzuki outboards. It lists cobia among its species.
Grounds and structure that hold fish
Cobia here are worked around structure such as buoys and wrecks in about 30 to 100 ft. The table runs near to far.
| Name | Type | Depth (ft) | Location notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Marys jetties (north and south) | Jetty | – | At St. Marys Inlet |
| St. Marys Sea Buoy | Buoy | – | – |
| FA fish haven | Live bottom, tug and barge | – | Florida side of the inlet |
| Reef KBY | Artificial reef | 35–45 | 8 nautical miles east of Cumberland Island |
| Tug Brenda K. | Wreck at KBY | about 50 | 30.805283, -81.27555 |
| Reef MRY (Metalmorphosis) | 52-ft steel vessel | 63 at the vessel | Deeper, clearer water than KBY (DNR) |
| Reefs A and CDH | Artificial reefs | – | Listed as nearby reefs on the KBY page |
| The Ledge / Big Ledge | Continental shelf | trolling 120–200 | Reached on Rainbreak’s 12-hour trips |
Chart layers such as Chart Contours are not for navigation. Run the inlet on official charts.
How cobia are fished locally
Two methods cover most of what is described here. For general rigging and tackle, see the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
- Live bait or a bucktail jig, sent down quickly.
- Live or dead menhaden, fished on the bottom at anchor.
Sight fishing with live bait or a bucktail
Locals send down live bait or a bucktail jig quickly, since the offering has to reach the fish before it moves off.
Anchored off the south jetty tip
Florida-side captains anchor off the south jetty tip and fish live or dead menhaden on the bottom. The method is slow, and it keeps the baits in the same water as the rocks.
FAQ about cobia fishing out of St. Marys
When is the best time for cobia at St. Marys?
April through June is the peak, with some fish through summer. Florida-side inlet reports put cobia on the beaches and inlet mouths in spring and June, so the jetties and inlet mouth are a sensible first look early in the window.
How far do boats run for cobia from St. Marys?
The jetties sit at the inlet. Reef KBY lies 8 nautical miles east of Cumberland Island. Rainbreak’s 8-hour trip, which lists cobia, runs up to 40 miles. The general structure depth is about 30 to 100 ft.
How deep is Reef KBY and where is the Brenda K.?
KBY sits in 35 to 45 ft. The tug Brenda K. lies at KBY in about 50 ft, at 30.805283, -81.27555. MRY reaches 63 ft at the vessel, and DNR describes it as deeper and clearer than KBY.
How do locals fish the St. Marys jetties for cobia?
Florida-side captains anchor off the south jetty tip and fish live or dead menhaden on the bottom. Fish that are sighted get live bait or a bucktail jig sent down quickly. A 50-pound-plus cobia credited to a jetty charter is the size benchmark here.
Which St. Marys charters list cobia?
Rainbreak Charters, with Capt. James (Michael) Walker, lists cobia on its 8-hour trips. Cumberland Fishing Charters, with Capt. Ben Allen, fishes a 25-ft Contender with twin Suzuki outboards and lists cobia among its species.
