If you are wanting to catch a cobia the spring time in Beaufort is the place to do it. It is 99% boat/yak fishery and should be largely live bait. In a yak I'd put something live on top under a float and something on bottom, you'll likely be anchoring up and fishing in one of the beaufort rivers. You should also be putting out a chum slick. See pic attached.
Keep in mind I've never done it, I planned on it a couple years back and did all the research. If I remember the cobia hot spot was just above the 170 bridge.
www.charlestonfishing.com is a great resource for the area and there is a yak floatilla each year for cobia where a group of guys camp and fish a couple days. If camping aint your style, Hilton Head is about an hour drive and great fun to be had.
You'll need a fish bat and a gaff IMO, them cobes are psycho.