South Carolina state waters, out to 3 miles
Rod-and-reel and gig only in state waters; May closure applies only to the southern zone.
SC DNR 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
Vessel limits: NC 1 (recreational), SC 6, GA 6, FL 2 per day.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Often mistaken for
Atlantic sharpnose sharkCobia has no shark tail; swims flat and slow. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
South Carolina state record
SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Broad flat head, dark lateral stripe, no true dorsal spines — often mistaken for a shark at boatside. More on the cobia page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for cobia in South Carolina?
36 in fork length. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many cobia can you keep in South Carolina?
1/day; max 3/boat south of 32°31.0'N, 6/boat north.
When is cobia season in South Carolina?
Open year-round except May 1–31 closed in state waters south of 32°31.0'N.
What is the South Carolina record cobia?
92 lb 10 oz, Hilton Head Is. (2009).
How current is this South Carolina cobia rule?
Source: SC DNR 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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