White Marlin water temperature at Onslow Bay & Morehead City Offshore.
Typical May SST in Onslow Bay & Morehead City Offshore is 70–78°F. White Marlin prefer 70–82°F with peak activity in 73–79°F.
White Marlin SST threshold
Year-round overlap with Onslow Bay & Morehead City Offshore SST
Where the Onslow Bay & Morehead City Offshore typical monthly SST band overlaps with white marlin's preferred and optimal ranges, the species is in range.
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58–66°F | Outside |
| Feb | 56–64°F | Outside |
| Mar | 60–68°F | Outside |
| Apr | 66–74°F | Fishable |
| Maynow | 70–78°F | Peak |
| Jun | 74–82°F | Peak |
| Jul | 78–84°F | Fishable |
| Aug | 78–84°F | Fishable |
| Sep | 76–82°F | Peak |
| Oct | 70–78°F | Peak |
| Nov | 64–72°F | Fishable |
| Dec | 60–68°F | Outside |
May, June, October
White marlin fishing is sight fishing at the surface — pitch baits to fish coming up on a teaser. Find them on the warm side of a 2–3°F break in 73–79°F water. Mid-Atlantic canyon mornings in August are the iconic bite.
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 white marlin's optimal 73–79°F window.