2025 Huk Charleston Cobia Cup at Saltwater Cowboys

Capt. Ryan Howard (right) holds the 
first place cobia on 6/21

The inaugural Huk Gear Charleston Cobia Cup presented by Penn was held at Saltwater Cowboys Restaurant on Shem Creek from June 19 - 21. A Captain's Meeting and social hour began at 5 PM on Thursday in the courtyard at the restaurant, and the tournament registration tallied 38 entries. Huk Gear's Scott Smith greeted attendees at the
makeshift Huk store with shirts, shorts, dresses and even rubber boots ready for sale. Tournament organizer Brian Roberts conducted the Captain's Meeting and went over the rules for the daily weigh-in from 3 to 7 PM on both Friday and Saturday. The legal length for a keeper cobia in this tourney was set for 38-inches, which is 2 inches longer than the SCNDR legal length for a keeper cobia. In addition, this tournament is donating proceeds to support Cobia restocking efforts at the Waddell mariculture center, plus SCDNR techs were present to collect cobia DNA and otoliths each day for research.

Captain Ryan Howard's team took first and second place in the tournament. They fished in flat calm conditions at the Charleston 60 reef and while they did see a larger cobia too, it would not bite. Both their cobia exceeded the minimum length of the Cobia Cup tourney and were weighed in. First place weighed 31.6-pounds and second place weighed 26.2-pounds. Third place went to Capt. Justin Carter with a 23.7-pound cobia, and Carter also won the two-cobia aggregate weight award. First, Second and Third places were awarded a Penn Authority reel and a glass trophy to take home. First Place also received two custom Cobia Cup belt buckles and a metal trophy to take home. An annual metal trophy with the names of past winners will reside at Saltwater Cowboys for future tourneys. Both days the tournament served to raise awareness with the customers and tourists at the restaurant, and they were allowed to take pictures with the fish for fun souvenirs.

Capt. J.R. Waits and crew with winning Amberjack

To view the feature article in the Post and Courier click on Tideline.

To view past blog entries on cobia click on 2019 Cobia Migration visa Satellite - 2016 South Lowcountry Management Zone - 2016 Edisto Cobia Tourney - 2013 Cobia in Broad River - 2012 Cobia received gamefish status - 2009 State Record Cobia - 2008 Fly Right Charters