Single-zone SST guide
King Mackerel water temperature at Onslow Bay & Morehead City Offshore.
- Scomberomorus cavalla
- Pelagic
- August: good
Typical August SST in Onslow Bay & Morehead City Offshore is 78–84°F. King Mackerel prefer 68–84°F with peak activity in 72–80°F.
SST threshold
King Mackerel threshold gauge.
Year-round overlap
Onslow Bay & Morehead City Offshore SST × King Mackerel range.
Where Onslow Bay & Morehead City Offshore typical monthly SST overlaps with king mackerel's preferred and optimal ranges, the species is in range.
Best months
April, May, June, July, August, September, October
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58–66°F | Outside |
| Feb | 56–64°F | Outside |
| Mar | 60–68°F | Outside |
| Apr | 66–74°F | Peak |
| May | 70–78°F | Peak |
| Jun | 74–82°F | Peak |
| Jul | 78–84°F | Peak |
| Augnow | 78–84°F | Peak |
| Sep | 76–82°F | Peak |
| Oct | 70–78°F | Peak |
| Nov | 64–72°F | Fishable |
| Dec | 60–68°F | Outside |
Best months
May, June, September, October
Live bait — blue runners, ribbonfish, hardtails — slow-trolled on the leading edge of the temperature push. Spring migration north and fall migration south are the highest-density windows.
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 Onslow Bay & Morehead City Offshore.
Bield: Fish overlays current NOAA CoastWatch SST onto your chartplotter view and alerts you when Onslow Bay & Morehead City Offshore hits king mackerel's optimal 72–80°F window.
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