Single-zone SST guide

Swordfish water temperature at Hudson Canyon & New York Bight Offshore.

  • Xiphias gladius
  • Billfish
  • August: peak

Typical August SST in Hudson Canyon & New York Bight Offshore is 70–80°F. Swordfish prefer 50–80°F with peak activity in 64–76°F.

SST threshold

Swordfish threshold gauge.

50°55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Peak 64–76°
Outside toleranceSuboptimalGoodPeak·Dashed line = hard threshold

Year-round overlap

Hudson Canyon & New York Bight Offshore SST × Swordfish range.

Where Hudson Canyon & New York Bight Offshore typical monthly SST overlaps with swordfish's preferred and optimal ranges, the species is in range.

Best months

June, July, August, September, October

MonthZone SSTStatus
Jan44–52°FFishable
Feb44–50°FOutside
Mar44–52°FFishable
Apr46–56°FFishable
May54–64°FFishable
Jun62–72°FPeak
Jul68–78°FPeak
Augnow70–80°FPeak
Sep66–74°FPeak
Oct58–66°FPeak
Nov52–60°FFishable
Dec46–54°FFishable

Best months

June, July, August, September

Daytime drops to 1500+ feet on canyon structure — bathymetry over SST. Nighttime drift fishing on the surface in 64–76°F water with squid baits. Gulf Stream edge at night is the classic Mid-Atlantic pattern.

Verify with current SST imagery

These ranges are climatological norms. Actual SST varies year over year — get an SST satellite shot the day before you run.

Live SST imagery for Hudson Canyon & New York Bight Offshore.

Bield: Fish overlays current NOAA CoastWatch SST onto your chartplotter view and alerts you when Hudson Canyon & New York Bight Offshore hits swordfish's optimal 64–76°F window.

Start free trial →