Single-zone SST guide
Sailfish water temperature at Onslow Bay & Morehead City Offshore.
- Istiophorus platypterus
- Billfish
- August: good
Typical August SST in Onslow Bay & Morehead City Offshore is 78–84°F. Sailfish prefer 70–82°F with peak activity in 73–80°F.
SST threshold
Sailfish threshold gauge.
Year-round overlap
Onslow Bay & Morehead City Offshore SST × Sailfish range.
Where Onslow Bay & Morehead City Offshore typical monthly SST overlaps with sailfish's preferred and optimal ranges, the species is in range.
Best months
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 | Fishable |
| 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
Kite fishing live goggle eyes and threadfin herring is the SE Florida winter standard. Slow-troll dink ballyhoo on weed lines in summer. Find sails on the cool edge where they push bait against the Gulf Stream.
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 sailfish's optimal 73–80°F window.
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