Single-zone SST guide
Blue Marlin water temperature at Norfolk & Washington Canyons.
- Makaira nigricans
- Billfish
- August: peak
Typical August SST in Norfolk & Washington Canyons is 74–84°F. Blue Marlin prefer 72–86°F with peak activity in 76–82°F.
SST threshold
Blue Marlin threshold gauge.
Year-round overlap
Norfolk & Washington Canyons SST × Blue Marlin range.
Where Norfolk & Washington Canyons typical monthly SST overlaps with blue marlin's preferred and optimal ranges, the species is in range.
Best months
June, July, August, September
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 48–58°F | Outside |
| Feb | 48–56°F | Outside |
| Mar | 50–60°F | Outside |
| Apr | 54–64°F | Outside |
| May | 60–70°F | Outside |
| Jun | 68–78°F | Peak |
| Jul | 72–82°F | Peak |
| Augnow | 74–84°F | Peak |
| Sep | 70–80°F | Peak |
| Oct | 64–72°F | Outside |
| Nov | 56–64°F | Outside |
| Dec | 50–60°F | Outside |
Best months
July, August, September
Pull big lures and rigged ballyhoo through the warmest available water. Look for bait pods, sargassum, and temperature breaks within the 76–82°F band. Gulf of Mexico oil rigs and Mid-Atlantic canyon edges in summer.
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 Norfolk & Washington Canyons.
Bield: Fish overlays current NOAA CoastWatch SST onto your chartplotter view and alerts you when Norfolk & Washington Canyons hits blue marlin's optimal 76–82°F window.
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