Happy [almost] Memorial Day weekend, friends! I’m sorry for the far and few between posts… It’s been a little hectic around here! BUT! Last week I had the opportunity to go cobia fishing out of Beaufort, and we could not of asked for a better day. The weather was perfect and we were able to take our 21 foot boat close to 30 miles offshore. We had the boat in the water by about 630 with the goal of catching bait before heading out to the Betsy Ross to try our hand at the cobia. It was a beautiful morning and we had high hopes for the day.
Once we got out to our destination, we among the other boats that had beaten us out there and settled in for a day of fishing. It didn’t take 30 minutes before we started seeing fish around us, and watched another boat land a nice cobia. Right about that time, we had a large barracuda post up under our belt. At first we weren’t sure what kind of fish it was because we could just see his outlined in the water, but after a little go pro sleuthing thing we discovered it was indeed a snaggle-toothed ‘cuda. Well, no wonder fish were steering clear of us!
After 2 sharks, a(nother) big barracuda, and a remora, we decided it was time to try out another spot. The guy diving to spear fish 30 yards away from us I am sure was not helping, either. So, on we went, stopping about half way back to land to give it another go. At the very least, we knew we’d catch some other bottom feeders, right? Right. Lines weren’t in the water 2 minutes before we started bringing up black sea bass and Charleston snapper.
I kid you not, the 4 of us were catching so many, I moved to the front of the boat to fish and just quit telling anyone when I brought a fish to the boat. The first 5-6 were all like “woohoo!” The remaining 40-50 (I quit counting in the mid-20’s)? Somewhat less exciting. But only a bit. Because, honestly, who isn’t excited when they’re catching fish?
Not me, that’s for sure! After an hour or two of non-stop fish catching (no cobia included), it was time to make our way back towards the landing for one last ditch effort at the bridge beside it. It’s apparently been a hot spot for cobia, so we figured we’d better give it one last try.
Well… guess what. Even though I’m sure you’ve already figured it out by now. I caught a cobia, at long last! It was a pretty quick fight, and he wasn’t very big, but it was a cobia nonetheless and I was pumped. Still am, actually, now that I think about it!
How’s that for a fishing day? Travel nearly 30 miles offshore and catch zero cobia, but land one in the last 30 minutes of the day, 500 yards from the landing. Who knew? Either way, it was an awesome day, and totally worth the miles we put in.
