Swordfish water temperature at Block Island Canyon Complex.
Typical May SST in Block Island Canyon Complex is 52–60°F. Swordfish prefer 50–80°F with peak activity in 64–76°F.
Swordfish SST threshold
Year-round overlap with Block Island Canyon Complex SST
Where the Block Island Canyon Complex typical monthly SST band overlaps with swordfish's preferred and optimal ranges, the species is in range.
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42–48°F | Outside |
| Feb | 42–48°F | Outside |
| Mar | 44–50°F | Outside |
| Apr | 46–54°F | Fishable |
| Maynow | 52–60°F | Fishable |
| Jun | 60–68°F | Peak |
| Jul | 65–75°F | Peak |
| Aug | 68–78°F | Peak |
| Sep | 64–72°F | Peak |
| Oct | 56–64°F | Fishable |
| Nov | 50–58°F | Fishable |
| Dec | 44–52°F | Fishable |
June, July, August, September
Daytime drops to 1500+ feet on canyon structure — bathymetry over SST. Nighttime drift fishing on the surface in 64–76°F water with squid baits. Gulf Stream edge at night is the classic Mid-Atlantic pattern.
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 Block Island Canyon Complex.
Bield: Fish overlays current NOAA CoastWatch SST onto your chartplotter view and alerts you when Block Island Canyon Complex hits swordfish's optimal 64–76°F window.