Saltwater Cowboys, in partnership with Huk and RedFin Charters, will host the 2025 Huk Charleston Cobia Cup presented by Penn from June 19–22. Originally scheduled for June 5–7, the tournament was postponed due to inclement weather. Registration closes Thursday, June 19, with the kickoff party and on-site registration beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Saltwater Cowboys, followed by dinner and the captain’s meeting. Entry is $1,200 per boat, and all tournament festivities are free and open to the public.
The docks at Shem Creek will transform into a full-scale fishing tournament with daily weigh-ins, live music, family-friendly activities, tournament retail and a vendor village. This year’s tournament is directed by veteran tournament organizers and RedFin Charters co-founders Brian Roberts and Joel Levine.
“Brian and I are longtime fishing friends and we are pumped to team up with Huk and Saltwater Cowboys,” says LeVine. “We have multiple categories that anglers can register for and will deliver large payouts for both the daily categories as well as the two-day aggregates. Penn Fishing is our presenting sponsor and early entrants receive a package of sponsor gifts that holds a value close to $1,000 dollars.”
A portion of tournament proceeds, entry fees, and silent auction benefits will fund local cobia conservation and hatchery programs along the Atlantic seaboard in partnership with the Community Professional Response Initiative, as well as Waddell Mariculture Center’s hatchery efforts - with support from industry sponsors. Cobia catch limits for the tournament will be raised to 38 inches - up from the 36-inch minimum required by SC DNR. Every angler will also be given fin clip genetic collection kits, providing valuable scientific data for all species kept as well as released. The Waddell Mariculture Center, located in Beaufort County, is one of the country's largest facilities for mariculture research.
“Huk is proud to help establish a groundbreaking event for the Southeast regional fishing community as part of our professional tournament series,” said Scott Smith, vice president of marketing at Huk. “We're excited to set a new bar for the level of competition in a dedicated Cobia fishing tournament, with a $20,000 absolute guaranteed purse projected to be over $150,000 with added entry levels. We’re thrilled to be bringing the Huk Charleston Cobia Cup to our backyard and continue building our brand legacy as the leader in elite sportfishing performance.”
Additional tournament sponsors include Casamigos and Sun Cruiser, each sponsor will support one of the two fishing days. All tournament activities will be open to all ages. The front lawn at Saltwater Cowboys will feature games and activities for kids and a live stream of the weigh-in area.
Schedule of Events
- Thursday, June 19 – Casamigos Day
Kick off the tournament with festivities featuring Casamigos, including live music and sponsor activations. Begins at 4:30 p.m.
- Friday, June 20 – Sun Cruiser Community Day
Celebrate the local fishing community with activities sponsored by Sun Cruiser, open to all attendees.
- Saturday, June 21 – Awards Ceremony
Conclusion of the tournament with an evening awards ceremony honoring top anglers and sponsors.
Fishing days are scheduled for June 20 and 21, with weigh-ins from 3 to 7 p.m. on the back deck at Saltwater Cowboys.
Registration Details
The first 75 registered boats will receive exclusive gear:
- Penn Authority Reel (valued at $650)
- Penn Carnage Rod (valued at $300)
- Additional gifts from Penn, Berkley Fishing, and Plano Tackle For a full schedule and to register, visit charlestoncobiacup.com. Supporting Conservation & Community
South Carolina DNR will host an educational table at registration, and marine biologists will be on-site throughout the event offering fin clip kits and DNA tagging
instruction. During weigh-ins, DNA samples will be collected from the catch to support ongoing research and sustainability efforts.
Guests can also support the cause through a lineup of raffles and on-site donation efforts. Featured prizes include:
- 10’ Black Blade Power Pole (one pump)
- Huk Pro Series Jacket and Bibs
- Hook and Gaff Dive Watch
- Penn Electric Reel...and more!.