Spring Cobia

[Charkbait]

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.

[Steve]

If ya just want to do a day trip, is there a launch nearby with somewhere to park the truck for the day?

From your research, when is a good time to go?
Is it based on water temps?

[Grossy]

I have never had the occasion to tangle with a Cobia. Aren't they a toothy fish that fights like it is torgued off at the world? Heard of the hardcore pier fisherman in NC going on all night excursions after them, but I have never had the experience.

[Steve]

If any fish needed Prozac, it's a Cobia.

[Capt Rick Hiott]

If any of you want to do a charter contact Capt Dan Utley. He is one of the best! www.fishincoach.com

Thats him on the right with Shakespeare's Mark Sheely holding the fish. Ive got a picture of him with a larger fish,,,but I cant find it.

[Steve]

Wow! Is that an average size for the area or is that just a hawg?
How do they taste?

Resized the pic for ya Rick, used MS Paint.

[Capt Rick Hiott]

They would call that a large one.

I have PhotoShop PS3. But what I was saying is that when I went back to edit it and change the pic,,,,the image tags where not in the edit window,,,just the picture.