Sea surface temperature guide
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna sea surface temperature guide.
- Thunnus thynnus
- Tuna
- Agency-reported threshold data
Atlantic bluefin tuna are cooler-water tuna than yellowfin — peak activity in the 60s°F. The spring run up the East Coast follows a tight temperature band. Strict ICCAT-managed regulations apply year-round.
SST threshold gauge
The temperature ranges that matter.
The water temperature ranges that determine where atlantic bluefin tuna hold and feed. Hard thresholds (dashed lines) are values outside which fish actively depart or become inactive.
Depth profile & SST reliability
Typical depth
0–3000 feet
SST as locator
High — SST is a strong locator
Bluefin are surface and mid-water feeders that follow bait and temperature edges. SST is highly predictive especially during the spring run.
Current systems & structure
Bluefin migrate along the cooler edge of the Gulf Stream and along the continental shelf break. Spring fish push north in the cool 50–60°F band; summer fish hold over canyon structure.
Best zones now
Where atlantic bluefin tuna are in range — August.
Zones where typical August SST falls in atlantic bluefin tuna's preferred range.
Zone-by-zone calendar
Overlap charts by zone.
For each zone where atlantic bluefin tuna are present, the chart overlays the zone's typical monthly SST range with the species' preferred and optimal ranges. Months where the bands overlap are when fish are in range.
Northeast
Best months
June, July, August, September
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38–44°F | Outside |
| Feb | 38–44°F | Outside |
| Mar | 40–46°F | Outside |
| Apr | 42–50°F | Outside |
| May | 46–56°F | Fishable |
| Jun | 54–64°F | Peak |
| Jul | 58–66°F | Peak |
| Augnow | 60–68°F | Peak |
| Sep | 58–66°F | Peak |
| Oct | 52–60°F | Fishable |
| Nov | 46–54°F | Fishable |
| Dec | 40–48°F | Outside |
Best months
June, July, August, September, October
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 40–46°F | Outside |
| Feb | 40–46°F | Outside |
| Mar | 42–48°F | Outside |
| Apr | 44–52°F | Fishable |
| May | 50–58°F | Fishable |
| Jun | 58–66°F | Peak |
| Jul | 62–70°F | Peak |
| Augnow | 64–72°F | Peak |
| Sep | 60–68°F | Peak |
| Oct | 54–62°F | Peak |
| Nov | 48–56°F | Fishable |
| Dec | 42–50°F | Outside |
Best months
June, July, August, September, October
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42–48°F | Outside |
| Feb | 42–48°F | Outside |
| Mar | 44–50°F | Outside |
| Apr | 46–54°F | Fishable |
| May | 52–60°F | Fishable |
| Jun | 60–68°F | Peak |
| Jul | 65–75°F | Peak |
| Augnow | 68–78°F | Peak |
| Sep | 64–72°F | Peak |
| Oct | 56–64°F | Peak |
| Nov | 50–58°F | Fishable |
| Dec | 44–52°F | Fishable |
Mid-Atlantic
Best months
May, June, July, August, September, October
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44–52°F | Fishable |
| Feb | 44–50°F | Outside |
| Mar | 44–52°F | Fishable |
| Apr | 46–56°F | Fishable |
| May | 54–64°F | Peak |
| Jun | 62–72°F | Peak |
| Jul | 68–78°F | Peak |
| Augnow | 70–80°F | Peak |
| Sep | 66–74°F | Peak |
| Oct | 58–66°F | Peak |
| Nov | 52–60°F | Fishable |
| Dec | 46–54°F | Fishable |
Best months
January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58–66°F | Peak |
| Feb | 56–64°F | Peak |
| Mar | 58–66°F | Peak |
| Apr | 64–72°F | Peak |
| May | 68–76°F | Peak |
| Jun | 74–82°F | Outside |
| Jul | 78–84°F | Outside |
| Augnow | 78–84°F | Outside |
| Sep | 76–82°F | Outside |
| Oct | 70–78°F | Peak |
| Nov | 64–72°F | Peak |
| Dec | 60–68°F | Peak |
Conservation & regulations
ICCAT / NOAA HMS
Rebuilding under ICCAT plan — recovery progressing. Strictly regulated. HMS permit required. Tag-based quota system with classifications (school, large school, medium, large, giant). Verify current rule before any harvest decision.
Stock assessment source →Spring bluefin chase sand eels, butterfish, and herring in the 50–62°F band. Troll Rapalas and stickbaits along temperature breaks. Summer fishing focuses on canyon edges and chunking butterfish on the warm-cool boundary.
Sources
SST threshold data is summarized from agency and research sources. Year-to-year ocean conditions vary; verify current SST imagery before each trip.
See live SST for your offshore zone.
Bield: Fish overlays NOAA CoastWatch SST imagery on your chartplotter view, highlights the temperature breaks that match atlantic bluefin tuna thresholds, and alerts you when your home zone hits the 59–72°F window.
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