Sea surface temperature guide
Blackfin Tuna sea surface temperature guide.
Thunnus atlanticusTunaAgency-reported threshold data
Blackfin tuna are the most accessible tuna species in the southeast US — small enough boats reach them, plentiful around nearshore structure, and they sit in a cooperative SST band most of the year in southern waters.
SST threshold gauge
The water temperature ranges that determine where blackfin tuna hold and feed. Hard thresholds (dashed lines) are values outside which fish actively depart or become inactive.
Outside toleranceSuboptimalGoodPeak·Dashed line = hard threshold
Optimal range72–80°F
Preferred range68–82°F
Avoid below64°F
Avoid above86°F
Depth profile & SST reliability
Typical depth
0–600 feet
SST as locator
High — SST is a strong locator
Blackfin feed near surface and are well-predicted by SST.
Current systems & structure
Gulf StreamWarm core eddiesTemperature breaksSargassum
Blackfin are accessible from SE Florida and Gulf coast ports — they hold over nearshore reefs, rigs, and the Gulf Stream's western edge.
Best zones for blackfin tuna — May
Zones where typical May SST falls in blackfin tuna's preferred range.
- Mid-AtlanticCape Hatteras & Point OffshoreTypical SST: 68–76°F
- South AtlanticOnslow Bay & Morehead City OffshoreTypical SST: 70–78°F
- South AtlanticLong Bay & Myrtle Beach OffshoreTypical SST: 72–80°F
- South AtlanticCharleston Offshore & Georgia BightTypical SST: 74–80°F
- South AtlanticNortheast Florida Offshore & St. AugustineTypical SST: 76–82°F
- South AtlanticSoutheast Florida Gulf Stream AccessTypical SST: 78–82°F
- Gulf of MexicoFlorida Middle Grounds & Tampa OffshoreTypical SST: 74–80°F
- Gulf of MexicoDestin & Pensacola OffshoreTypical SST: 74–80°F
- Gulf of MexicoAlabama & Mississippi Canyon OffshoreTypical SST: 76–82°F
- Gulf of MexicoLouisiana Deepwater & RigsTypical SST: 76–82°F
- Gulf of MexicoTexas Offshore & Flower Garden BanksTypical SST: 76–82°F
Zone-by-zone calendar
For each zone where blackfin 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.
Mid-Atlantic
Cape Hatteras & Point OffshoreWanchese NC · Hatteras 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 | 58–66°F | Outside |
| Apr | 64–72°F | Fishable |
| Maynow | 68–76°F | Peak |
| Jun | 74–82°F | Peak |
| Jul | 78–84°F | Peak |
| Aug | 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
April, 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 | Peak |
| Maynow | 70–78°F | Peak |
| Jun | 74–82°F | Peak |
| Jul | 78–84°F | Peak |
| Aug | 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
April, May, June, September, October, November
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60–68°F | Outside |
| Feb | 58–66°F | Outside |
| Mar | 62–70°F | Fishable |
| Apr | 68–76°F | Peak |
| Maynow | 72–80°F | Peak |
| Jun | 76–84°F | Peak |
| Jul | 80–86°F | Fishable |
| Aug | 80–86°F | Fishable |
| Sep | 78–84°F | Peak |
| Oct | 72–80°F | Peak |
| Nov | 66–74°F | Peak |
| Dec | 62–70°F | Fishable |
Charleston Offshore & Georgia BightCharleston SC · Hilton Head SC
Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range
Best months
April, May, June, September, October, November
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 62–70°F | Fishable |
| Feb | 60–68°F | Outside |
| Mar | 64–72°F | Fishable |
| Apr | 70–76°F | Peak |
| Maynow | 74–80°F | Peak |
| Jun | 78–84°F | Peak |
| Jul | 80–86°F | Fishable |
| Aug | 80–86°F | Fishable |
| Sep | 78–84°F | Peak |
| Oct | 74–80°F | Peak |
| Nov | 68–76°F | Peak |
| Dec | 64–72°F | Fishable |
Northeast Florida Offshore & St. AugustineMayport FL · St. Augustine FL
Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range
Best months
March, April, May, October, November
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 64–72°F | Fishable |
| Feb | 64–70°F | Fishable |
| Mar | 66–74°F | Peak |
| Apr | 72–78°F | Peak |
| Maynow | 76–82°F | Peak |
| Jun | 80–84°F | Fishable |
| Jul | 82–86°F | Outside |
| Aug | 82–86°F | Outside |
| Sep | 80–84°F | Fishable |
| Oct | 76–82°F | Peak |
| Nov | 70–76°F | Peak |
| 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, February, March, April, May, October, November, December
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 72–78°F | Peak |
| Feb | 72–76°F | Peak |
| Mar | 74–80°F | Peak |
| Apr | 76–80°F | Peak |
| Maynow | 78–82°F | Peak |
| Jun | 80–84°F | Fishable |
| Jul | 82–86°F | Outside |
| Aug | 82–86°F | Outside |
| Sep | 80–84°F | Fishable |
| 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
April, May, October, November
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60–68°F | Outside |
| Feb | 60–66°F | Outside |
| Mar | 62–70°F | Fishable |
| Apr | 70–76°F | Peak |
| Maynow | 74–80°F | Peak |
| Jun | 80–84°F | Fishable |
| Jul | 82–86°F | Outside |
| Aug | 82–86°F | Outside |
| Sep | 80–84°F | Fishable |
| Oct | 74–80°F | Peak |
| Nov | 68–76°F | Peak |
| Dec | 62–70°F | Fishable |
Destin & Pensacola OffshoreDestin FL · Pensacola FL
Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range
Best months
April, May, October, November
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60–68°F | Outside |
| Feb | 60–66°F | Outside |
| Mar | 64–72°F | Fishable |
| Apr | 70–78°F | Peak |
| Maynow | 74–80°F | Peak |
| Jun | 80–84°F | Fishable |
| Jul | 82–86°F | Outside |
| Aug | 82–86°F | Outside |
| Sep | 80–84°F | Fishable |
| Oct | 72–78°F | Peak |
| Nov | 66–74°F | Peak |
| Dec | 62–70°F | Fishable |
Alabama & Mississippi Canyon OffshoreOrange Beach AL · Dauphin Island AL
Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range
Best months
April, May, October, November
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 62–70°F | Fishable |
| Feb | 62–68°F | Outside |
| Mar | 66–72°F | Fishable |
| Apr | 72–80°F | Peak |
| Maynow | 76–82°F | Peak |
| Jun | 80–84°F | Fishable |
| Jul | 82–86°F | Outside |
| Aug | 82–86°F | Outside |
| Sep | 80–84°F | Fishable |
| Oct | 74–80°F | Peak |
| Nov | 68–76°F | Peak |
| Dec | 64–72°F | Fishable |
Louisiana Deepwater & RigsVenice LA · Grand Isle LA
Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range
Best months
March, April, May, October, November, December
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 64–72°F | Fishable |
| Feb | 64–70°F | Fishable |
| Mar | 68–74°F | Peak |
| Apr | 72–78°F | Peak |
| Maynow | 76–82°F | Peak |
| Jun | 80–84°F | Fishable |
| Jul | 82–86°F | Outside |
| Aug | 82–86°F | Outside |
| Sep | 80–84°F | Fishable |
| Oct | 76–82°F | Peak |
| Nov | 70–78°F | Peak |
| Dec | 66–74°F | Peak |
Texas Offshore & Flower Garden BanksGalveston TX · Freeport TX
Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range
Best months
March, April, May, September, October, November, December
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 64–72°F | Fishable |
| Feb | 64–70°F | Fishable |
| Mar | 68–74°F | Peak |
| Apr | 72–78°F | Peak |
| Maynow | 76–82°F | Peak |
| Jun | 80–84°F | Fishable |
| Jul | 80–86°F | Fishable |
| Aug | 80–86°F | Fishable |
| Sep | 78–84°F | Peak |
| Oct | 74–82°F | Peak |
| Nov | 70–78°F | Peak |
| Dec | 66–74°F | Peak |
Conservation & regulations
NOAA / GMFMC / SAFMC
Stable. Federally managed. Less regulated than yellowfin/bluefin. Verify state and federal bag limits.
Stock assessment source →Chunk bait at offshore reefs, rigs, and the Gulf Stream edge. Vertical jigging is highly effective. Sunrise and sunset bites are strongest.
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 blackfin tuna thresholds, and alerts you when your home zone hits the 72–80°F window.
This page shows climatological SST patterns for planning purposes. Live SST data is available in the Bield: Fish app via NOAA CoastWatch. Charts on this page reflect typical year SST climatology — actual conditions vary.