Sea surface temperature guide
Georges Bank is one of the most productive offshore fishing areas in the world. Cold shelf water meets warm Gulf Stream eddies along the bank's southern edge, creating a tuna and shark fishery that runs May through October.
Nearest ports
Typical SST
Climatologically typical sea surface temperature ranges based on NOAA CoastWatch SST climatologies. Year-to-year variation is real — verify with current SST imagery before each trip.
| Month | Typical SST | Dominant current | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40–46°F | Cold shelf water with Gulf Stream eddies | Cold; very limited fishery. |
| February | 40–46°F | Cold shelf water with Gulf Stream eddies | Same. |
| March | 42–48°F | Cold shelf water | Spring transition starting. |
| April | 44–52°F | Cold shelf water with eddies | Bluefin migration begins. |
| May | 50–58°F | Cold shelf with warm core eddies | Tuna fishing builds. |
| Junenow | 58–66°F | Shelf water with eddy influence | Strong tuna and shark fishery. |
| July | 62–70°F | Shelf water with eddy influence | Peak summer. |
| August | 64–72°F | Shelf water with eddy influence | Same. |
| September | 60–68°F | Cooling shelf water | Late summer continuing. |
| October | 54–62°F | Cooling shelf water | Fall departures. |
| November | 48–56°F | Shelf cold water | Mostly winter pattern. |
| December | 42–50°F | Shelf cold water | Winter. |
Species accessibility
For each target species, the cells show whether typical monthly SST in Georges Bank falls in that species' preferred or optimal range. Best all-around months: August, June, July, September.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Bluefin Tuna | ||||||||||||
| Yellowfin Tuna |
Species in range
For each species in their preferred SST range this month, the gauge shows the threshold band — verify against current SST imagery before deciding on the run.
Break patterns
Persistent SST features that concentrate baitfish and predators. Use SST imagery to find the break, then fish the warm side.
Warm core eddies pinch off the Gulf Stream's northern wall and drift westward into shelf waters. They can hold tuna and billfish for weeks at a time. Locate them on SST imagery as warm bullseyes in cooler shelf water — the eddy edge is the productive zone.
Active months
Canyon & structure features
NOAA marine forecast
NOAA Zone ANZ255 →Wind, swell, and tide-stage forecasts for the offshore zone. Pair with SST imagery for trip planning.
Bield: Fish overlays NOAA CoastWatch SST imagery onto your navigation view, highlights temperature breaks within your target species' threshold band, and alerts you when your home zone hits the optimal window.
Start free trial →This page shows climatological SST patterns for planning purposes. Live SST imagery is available in the Bield: Fish app via NOAA CoastWatch — actual conditions vary year to year and verify before each trip.