Cobia Fishing Charters on the Outer Banks
You may have thought that the only way to experience the thrill of a giant fifty pound plus fish pulling on your line while visiting on the Outer Banks is to book an expensive deep sea offshore charter. Well we have a specal surprise that you are definitely going to want to hear about. Every spring and summer large groups of hard fighting and great eating Cobia migrate along our North Carolina Outer Banks. Catching them is just about as much fun as you will be able to handle. As the water warms into the mid 60's and rising into the 70's these schools of Cobia travel relatively close along the beaches following the smaller surf fish and feeding on them as they go. Often times Cobia can be spotted by seeing their shadows reflecting on the bottom as they cruise behind giant manta rays that are stirring up the sand and bait-fish. Cobia are known for their predatory curiosity searching around every object they encounter during their travels and their willingness to continue feeding whenever they find a lucrative source.
Cobia show up along the Outer Banks from the first of May through July and some will even hang out throughout the summer. This corresponds nicely to our OBX peak early vacation seasons. One of the other nice aspects about Cobia fishing is that it is one of the few species that get even more catchable on a beautiful sunny calm bluebird perfect day. That's the kind of day you want to just kick back, relax and soak up some sunshine until you are hooked up to your Cobia and a wild workout.
Over the last several years, as anglers have learned more and more about the Cobia's habits, some of our local Hatteras Outer Banks charter boats have specifically rigged themselves to target Cobia for their clients. Cobia fishing charters can provide you with specialized spinning tackle or bait casting outfits designed for just the right presentations. Boats will also stock up on the favorite lures, jigs or cut bait that have proven to be what Cobia can't resist. Boats like Speck-Tackler have even custom rigged their boats with tall towers so we can spot schooling Cobia from greater distances.
Local charter captains like Capt. Rick on Speck-Tackler use several methods for catching Cobia from sight-casting to teasing them with live bait. Our charter is always rigged for these bruisers when the opportunity arises. Capt. Rick also keeps in close radio contact with other professional captains sharing when and where they are seeing the Cobia so that everyone on board their boats have a better chance of scoring on them. Many a young angler have been hooked on fishing for a lifetime during one of our Speck-Tackler Cobia charters!
Cobia are also a real favorite on the table. Their meat has a fresh firm buttery broad flake texture with no fishy taste. Click this link to read some ways we like to cook them here at Cape Hatteras.
Always Beware Before You Book Your Charter!
There are several unlicensed smaller private boats getting in on the action by rigging themselves for Cobia fishing. Being fast and maneuverable can be an advantage at times but unlicensed uninsured guides and lack of experience can be both dangerous and a waste of time and money. These private boats can be a slightly less expensive option for Cobia anglers but chartering them is probably not the best option for family groups or safety minded anglers. Please beware.
It is best to always book your Cobia charter with the charter boat itself or the marina. Avoid the disappointment of booking Cobia charters through that foreign (Serbia based) online booking website that pays Google for better Search listings. Please call the charter boat and discuss the species you want to catch so that he can advise if that fish is a possibility and he can always prepare the right gear and bait for your trip. And of course we highly recommend a boat like Speck-Tackler for catching Cobia with a highly experienced inshore charter record at Cape Hatteras.