Bield: fish

Single-species migration calendar

Cobia in North Carolina Outer Banks june fishing.

  • Rachycentron canadum
  • Migratory
  • Good

Summer cobia on structure.

Verify with the agency before fishing

Fishing regulations change every season. This page is a summary maintained by Bield — bag limits, exact dates, and species-specific rules must be verified with North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries before each trip.

Year-round calendar

Cobia · 12-month view.

Each month encodes typical migration status. The current month is outlined in gold. Hover a cell for the month-specific note and typical water temperature.

Swipe to scroll →
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Possible A few cobia wintering on offshore structure. Typical water temp: 56–62°FPossibleFeb — Fair Spring fish arriving at southern NC inlets. Typical water temp: 60–66°FFairMar — Good Spring cobia run through NC. Typical water temp: 64–72°FGoodApr — Peak Peak NC cobia migration — Cape Lookout, Outer Banks. Typical water temp: 70–76°FPeakMay — Good Fish dispersing along coast as run ends. Typical water temp: 72–78°FGoodJun — Good Summer cobia on structure. Typical water temp: 76–82°FGoodJul — Good Same. Typical water temp: 80–84°FGoodAug — Good Resident summer pattern. Typical water temp: 80–84°FGoodSep — Good Fall fish active. Typical water temp: 76–82°FGoodOct — Fair Fall migration south begins. Typical water temp: 70–78°FFairNov — Possible Last of the fall fish. Typical water temp: 62–70°FPossibleDec — Absent Departed south. Typical water temp: 56–62°F

Migration pattern

Spring run on the NC Outer Banks (Cape Lookout, Oregon Inlet) March–May is a sight-fishing event. Resident summer fish on structure and buoys. Fall departure October.

Best locations

  • Cape Lookout
  • Oregon Inlet
  • Hatteras Inlet
  • Pamlico Sound

Top lures

  • Live eels
  • Bucktail jigs
  • Whole crab on bottom
  • Live menhaden
  • Topwater plugs

Cobia in other regions

Chesapeake Bay (Upper) →Chesapeake Bay (Lower) →Florida Panhandle →Florida Nature Coast & Big Bend →Tampa Bay & Charlotte Harbor →Alabama & Mississippi Coast →All cobia regions →

Get a notification when cobia show up.

Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data and water-temperature readings to species arrival windows so you're on the water the day they arrive in North Carolina Outer Banks.

Start free trial →
← Back to North Carolina Outer Banks