The Flower Garden Banks are the only true coral reefs on the US continental shelf and one of the most productive offshore destinations in the western Gulf — yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and bottom fishing for snapper and grouper.
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 | 64–72°F | Western Gulf shelf with Loop Current eddies | Yellowfin around banks. |
| February | 64–70°F | Same | Same. |
| March | 68–74°F | Same | Spring building. |
| April | 72–78°F | Same with Loop Current eddies | Peak yellowfin and wahoo. |
| Maynow | 76–82°F | Same | Multi-species. |
| June | 80–84°F | Same with Loop Current eddies | Peak summer. |
| July | 80–86°F | Same with Loop Current eddies | Peak. |
| August | 80–86°F | Same with Loop Current eddies | Same. |
| September | 78–84°F | Same with eddies | Strong fall. |
| October | 74–82°F | Cooling water | Continuing. |
| November | 70–78°F | Cooling water | Yellowfin pattern continuing. |
| December | 66–74°F | Cooling water with eddies | Yellowfin offshore. |
For each target species, the cells show whether typical monthly SST in Texas Offshore & Flower Garden Banks falls in that species' preferred or optimal range. Best all-around months: October, November, April, May.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowfin Tuna | ||||||||||||
| Blackfin Tuna | ||||||||||||
| Mahi-Mahi | ||||||||||||
| Wahoo | ||||||||||||
| Blue Marlin | ||||||||||||
| Greater Amberjack | ||||||||||||
| Red Snapper |
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.
Persistent SST features that concentrate baitfish and predators. Use SST imagery to find the break, then fish the warm side.
The Loop Current is the Gulf of Mexico's equivalent of the Gulf Stream — warm Caribbean water that flows north into the Gulf and loops back through the Florida Straits. Its position varies year to year. The current's edge and the eddies it sheds are the primary blue-water structure in the Gulf.
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.
