Sea surface temperature guide

Wahoo sea surface temperature guide.

Acanthocybium solandri
Pelagic
Agency-reported threshold data

Wahoo are temperature-break specialists — they hunt where two water masses meet. They tolerate a wider SST range than mahi but key on the edge itself, not just the absolute temperature.

SST threshold gauge

The temperature ranges that matter.

The water temperature ranges that determine where wahoo hold and feed. Hard thresholds (dashed lines) are values outside which fish actively depart or become inactive.

Outside toleranceSuboptimalGoodPeak·Dashed line = hard threshold

Optimal range75–82°F

Preferred range70–86°F

Avoid below65°F

Avoid above—

Threshold source (Agency-reported) →

Depth profile & SST reliability

Typical depth

30–600 feet

SST as locator

Moderate — SST is a partial signal

Wahoo feed throughout the water column and frequently suspend deep in the warm side of the thermocline. Surface SST is a partial signal — also study sub-surface temperature charts when available.

Current systems & structure

Gulf StreamWarm core eddiesTemperature breaks

Wahoo hunt aggressively at temperature breaks where bait concentrates. They're less tied to weed lines than mahi but follow the same warm-water edges.

Best zones now

Where wahoo are in range — August.

Zones where typical August SST falls in wahoo's preferred range.

Zone-by-zone calendar

Overlap charts by zone.

For each zone where wahoo 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.

Mid-Atlantic

Hudson Canyon & New York Bight OffshoreMontauk NY · Manasquan NJ

Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range

Best months

July, August

Month	Zone SST	Status
Jan	44–52°F	Outside
Feb	44–50°F	Outside
Mar	44–52°F	Outside
Apr	46–56°F	Outside
May	54–64°F	Outside
Jun	62–72°F	Fishable
Jul	68–78°F	Peak
Augnow	70–80°F	Peak
Sep	66–74°F	Fishable
Oct	58–66°F	Outside
Nov	52–60°F	Outside
Dec	46–54°F	Outside

Baltimore & Wilmington CanyonsCape May NJ · Ocean City MD

Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range

Best months

July, August

Month	Zone SST	Status
Jan	46–54°F	Outside
Feb	46–54°F	Outside
Mar	48–56°F	Outside
Apr	50–60°F	Outside
May	56–66°F	Outside
Jun	64–74°F	Fishable
Jul	70–80°F	Peak
Augnow	72–82°F	Peak
Sep	68–76°F	Fishable
Oct	60–68°F	Outside
Nov	54–62°F	Outside
Dec	48–56°F	Outside

Norfolk & Washington CanyonsVirginia Beach VA · Wachapreague VA

Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred 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	Fishable
Nov	56–64°F	Outside
Dec	50–60°F	Outside

Cape Hatteras & Point OffshoreWanchese NC · Hatteras NC

Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range

Best months

June, July, August, September, October

Month	Zone SST	Status
Jan	58–66°F	Outside
Feb	56–64°F	Outside
Mar	58–66°F	Outside
Apr	64–72°F	Fishable
May	68–76°F	Fishable
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

South Atlantic

Onslow Bay & Morehead City OffshoreMorehead City NC · Beaufort NC

Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred 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

Long Bay & Myrtle Beach OffshoreLittle River SC · Myrtle Beach SC

Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range

Best months

May, June, July, August, September, October

Month	Zone SST	Status
Jan	60–68°F	Outside
Feb	58–66°F	Outside
Mar	62–70°F	Outside
Apr	68–76°F	Fishable
May	72–80°F	Peak
Jun	76–84°F	Peak
Jul	80–86°F	Peak
Augnow	80–86°F	Peak
Sep	78–84°F	Peak
Oct	72–80°F	Peak
Nov	66–74°F	Fishable
Dec	62–70°F	Outside

Charleston Offshore & Georgia BightCharleston SC · Hilton Head SC

Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range

Best months

May, June, July, August, September, October

Month	Zone SST	Status
Jan	62–70°F	Outside
Feb	60–68°F	Outside
Mar	64–72°F	Fishable
Apr	70–76°F	Fishable
May	74–80°F	Peak
Jun	78–84°F	Peak
Jul	80–86°F	Peak
Augnow	80–86°F	Peak
Sep	78–84°F	Peak
Oct	74–80°F	Peak
Nov	68–76°F	Fishable
Dec	64–72°F	Fishable

Northeast Florida Offshore & St. AugustineMayport FL · St. Augustine FL

Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range

Best months

April, May, June, September, October

Month	Zone SST	Status
Jan	64–72°F	Fishable
Feb	64–70°F	Outside
Mar	66–74°F	Fishable
Apr	72–78°F	Peak
May	76–82°F	Peak
Jun	80–84°F	Peak
Jul	82–86°F	Fishable
Augnow	82–86°F	Fishable
Sep	80–84°F	Peak
Oct	76–82°F	Peak
Nov	70–76°F	Fishable
Dec	66–72°F	Fishable

Southeast Florida Gulf Stream AccessPalm Beach FL · Fort Lauderdale FL

Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range

Best months

January, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December

Month	Zone SST	Status
Jan	72–78°F	Peak
Feb	72–76°F	Fishable
Mar	74–80°F	Peak
Apr	76–80°F	Peak
May	78–82°F	Peak
Jun	80–84°F	Peak
Jul	82–86°F	Fishable
Augnow	82–86°F	Fishable
Sep	80–84°F	Peak
Oct	78–82°F	Peak
Nov	74–80°F	Peak
Dec	72–78°F	Peak

Gulf of Mexico

Florida Middle Grounds & Tampa OffshoreTampa FL · St. Petersburg FL

Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range

Best months

May, June, September, October

Month	Zone SST	Status
Jan	60–68°F	Outside
Feb	60–66°F	Outside
Mar	62–70°F	Outside
Apr	70–76°F	Fishable
May	74–80°F	Peak
Jun	80–84°F	Peak
Jul	82–86°F	Fishable
Augnow	82–86°F	Fishable
Sep	80–84°F	Peak
Oct	74–80°F	Peak
Nov	68–76°F	Fishable
Dec	62–70°F	Outside

Destin & Pensacola OffshoreDestin FL · Pensacola FL

Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range

Best months

April, May, June, September, October

Month	Zone SST	Status
Jan	60–68°F	Outside
Feb	60–66°F	Outside
Mar	64–72°F	Fishable
Apr	70–78°F	Peak
May	74–80°F	Peak
Jun	80–84°F	Peak
Jul	82–86°F	Fishable
Augnow	82–86°F	Fishable
Sep	80–84°F	Peak
Oct	72–78°F	Peak
Nov	66–74°F	Fishable
Dec	62–70°F	Outside

Alabama & Mississippi Canyon OffshoreOrange Beach AL · Dauphin Island AL

Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range

Best months

April, May, June, September, October

Month	Zone SST	Status
Jan	62–70°F	Outside
Feb	62–68°F	Outside
Mar	66–72°F	Fishable
Apr	72–80°F	Peak
May	76–82°F	Peak
Jun	80–84°F	Peak
Jul	82–86°F	Fishable
Augnow	82–86°F	Fishable
Sep	80–84°F	Peak
Oct	74–80°F	Peak
Nov	68–76°F	Fishable
Dec	64–72°F	Fishable

Louisiana Deepwater & RigsVenice LA · Grand Isle LA

Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range

Best months

April, May, June, September, October, November

Month	Zone SST	Status
Jan	64–72°F	Fishable
Feb	64–70°F	Outside
Mar	68–74°F	Fishable
Apr	72–78°F	Peak
May	76–82°F	Peak
Jun	80–84°F	Peak
Jul	82–86°F	Fishable
Augnow	82–86°F	Fishable
Sep	80–84°F	Peak
Oct	76–82°F	Peak
Nov	70–78°F	Peak
Dec	66–74°F	Fishable

Texas Offshore & Flower Garden BanksGalveston TX · Freeport TX

Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range

Best months

April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November

Month	Zone SST	Status
Jan	64–72°F	Fishable
Feb	64–70°F	Outside
Mar	68–74°F	Fishable
Apr	72–78°F	Peak
May	76–82°F	Peak
Jun	80–84°F	Peak
Jul	80–86°F	Peak
Augnow	80–86°F	Peak
Sep	78–84°F	Peak
Oct	74–82°F	Peak
Nov	70–78°F	Peak
Dec	66–74°F	Fishable

Conservation & regulations

NOAA / SAFMC / GMFMC

Stable. Federally managed. Bag limit two per angler in most South Atlantic waters; verify current rule.

Stock assessment source →

Troll high-speed planers and Yo-Zuri Bonitas at 13–18 knots through the warm side of a temperature break. Best windows are sunrise and sunset on a moving tide. Wahoo congregate on full moons in some regions.

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 wahoo thresholds, and alerts you when your home zone hits the 75–82°F window.

Start free trial →

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