I have read reports about Cobia and tarpon in St. Helena sound (mouth of South Edisto river) at certain times of the year. Is this worth pursuing?
Spartanburg/Edisto
Sea Hunt 27 “Saltwater Gospel”
Bomb Island 16 “Hookin’ Heels”
The inshore Cobia fishery has died off. Used to be great in the spring but the aramada in the Broad river decimated them. They had closed all inshore cobia although not sure if that is still the case. The tarpon fishery in St. Helena is great in the summer. Fish feed on the sandbars. Its not easy but worth the effort if you find fish. Big menhaden or mullet on big circle hook under cork or on bottom. Rods in holders on full drag and don’t touch the rod until the fish jumps, which it will immediately if its a tarpon. Catch a lot of sharks in the process as well. Tie a buoy to your anchor so you can toss it and follow the fish.
quote:
Originally posted by Fortunate SonThe inshore Cobia fishery has died off. Used to be great in the spring but the aramada in the Broad river decimated them. They had closed all inshore cobia although not sure if that is still the case. The tarpon fishery in St. Helena is great in the summer. Fish feed on the sandbars. Its not easy but worth the effort if you find fish. Big menhaden or mullet on big circle hook under cork or on bottom. Rods in holders on full drag and don’t touch the rod until the fish jumps, which it will immediately if its a tarpon. Catch a lot of sharks in the process as well. Tie a buoy to your anchor so you can toss it and follow the fish.
Everyone keeps saying that our Cobia have been decimated? Guess me and a few others must just be lucky. 
I’ve not seen a drop in catching sucess. The Armada has been going strong for 40 years in the broad at the “rip”, the “turtle”, and the 170 bridge. Sometimes you need to get away from the boat traffic.
Never fished for Tarpon, because I don’t like to target fish I can’t eat, so can’t comment on them … Cobia have not been decimated by the “armada” as so many believe. Maybe they are reduced, but IMO it is environmental issues, not over fishing.
That said, sure making it illegal to keep a cobia might help a few more survive, but we need to find the root cause why so many think they have been decimated.
The Broad is closed for Cobia the month of May. Edit to say St Helena sound as well.
Fred is WAY out of touch on this.
With that said, regardless of whether its overfishing (most likely IMO)or other environmental reasons, its been proven via science (Wadell Mariculture Center)that this subspecies has been decimated.
I can only speak for the last 12 years in the Broad, but its changed alot. When the catch can be publicized all over the internet that you can catch these awesome offshore fish with nothing more than a Jon Boat and some decent gear, one should not be surprised to see the stock depleted.
At least there is science to prove this decline vs our crazy offshore closures…
NN
Not many tarpon in St. Helena anymore. Much better fishing around Charleston.
I have caught cobia in the South Edisto and Ashepoo around first of June.
As for the overfishing, I think of the old adage, “Pigs get killed–hogs get slaughtered.” We have a lot of hogs with boats around here.