SlotGaugeCheck a catchCobia regulations in North Carolina
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Cobia size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal and joint waters (to 3 mi) | May 1 – December 31 | 36 inch minimum | 1 per person per day; 2 per vessel May–June, 1 per vessel July–Dec (for-hire 4) |
Notes
- Proclamation FF-4-2026.
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- May 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026
- Size
- cobia less than 36 inches fork length is prohibited
- Limit
- 1 per person per day; vessel limits: May 1–June 30 2 per vessel, July 1–Dec 31 1 per vessel, for-hire 4 per vessel
- statewide — as printed
- “FF-4-2026: unlawful to possess cobia less than 36 inches fork length; more than one (1) cobia per person per day”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
Check your cobia in seconds
Say it, snap a photo, or type the length. SlotGauge answers KEEP or RELEASE using today's North Carolina rules.
Open SlotGauge for CobiaMore
About the cobia
Species of ray-finned fish
The cobia is a species of marine carangiform ray-finned fish, the only extant representative of the genus Rachycentron and the family Rachycentridae. Its other common names include black kingfish, black salmon, ling, lemonfish, crabeater, prodigal son, codfish, and black bonito.
Read more about Cobia on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from NC Division of Marine Fisheries, not Wikipedia.
All 120 North Carolina species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Cobia in North Carolina?
36 inch minimum in North Carolina state waters.
How many Cobia can you keep per day in North Carolina?
1 per person per day; 2 per vessel May–June, 1 per vessel July–Dec (for-hire 4).
When is Cobia season in North Carolina?
May 1 – December 31.
Is my Cobia a keeper today?
A cobia is a keeper today if it measures at least 36 inches, with a daily limit of 1.