Sea surface temperature guide
Mahi-Mahi sea surface temperature guide.
Coryphaena hippurusPelagicAgency-reported threshold data
Mahi-mahi are the most temperature-sensitive of the common offshore pelagics — they show up the day the water hits 72°F and disappear the day it drops below 65°F. SST imagery, weed lines, and temperature breaks are the three things that locate them every trip.
SST threshold gauge
The water temperature ranges that determine where mahi-mahi hold and feed. Hard thresholds (dashed lines) are values outside which fish actively depart or become inactive.
Outside toleranceSuboptimalGoodPeak·Dashed line = hard threshold
Optimal range75–80°F
Preferred range72–82°F
Avoid below65°F
Avoid above86°F
Depth profile & SST reliability
Typical depth
0–200 feet
SST as locator
High — SST is a strong locator
Mahi feed primarily at the surface. SST is the most reliable single indicator of where they are holding.
Current systems & structure
Gulf StreamWarm core eddiesTemperature breaksSargassum
Mahi follow the warm side of temperature breaks and concentrate under floating sargassum mats. Find the weed line, find the mahi.
Best zones for mahi-mahi — May
Zones where typical May SST falls in mahi-mahi's preferred range.
- 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 mahi-mahi 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.
Northeast
Block Island Canyon ComplexPoint Judith RI · Montauk NY
Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range
Best months
August
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42–48°F | Outside |
| Feb | 42–48°F | Outside |
| Mar | 44–50°F | Outside |
| Apr | 46–54°F | Outside |
| Maynow | 52–60°F | Outside |
| Jun | 60–68°F | Outside |
| Jul | 65–75°F | Fishable |
| Aug | 68–78°F | Peak |
| Sep | 64–72°F | Outside |
| Oct | 56–64°F | Outside |
| Nov | 50–58°F | Outside |
| Dec | 44–52°F | Outside |
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 |
| Maynow | 54–64°F | Outside |
| Jun | 62–72°F | Outside |
| Jul | 68–78°F | Peak |
| Aug | 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 |
| Maynow | 56–66°F | Outside |
| Jun | 64–74°F | Fishable |
| Jul | 70–80°F | Peak |
| Aug | 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 |
| Maynow | 60–70°F | Outside |
| Jun | 68–78°F | Peak |
| Jul | 72–82°F | Peak |
| Aug | 74–84°F | Peak |
| Sep | 70–80°F | Peak |
| Oct | 64–72°F | Outside |
| 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 | Outside |
| Maynow | 68–76°F | Fishable |
| 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 | Outside |
| 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 |
| 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 | Outside |
| 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, 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 |
| 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 | 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, September, October
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 62–70°F | Outside |
| Feb | 60–68°F | Outside |
| Mar | 64–72°F | Outside |
| Apr | 70–76°F | Fishable |
| 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 | Fishable |
| Dec | 64–72°F | Outside |
Northeast Florida Offshore & St. AugustineMayport FL · St. Augustine FL
Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range
Best months
April, May, October
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 64–72°F | Outside |
| Feb | 64–70°F | Outside |
| Mar | 66–74°F | Fishable |
| 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 | Fishable |
| Dec | 66–72°F | Outside |
Southeast Florida Gulf Stream AccessPalm Beach FL · Fort Lauderdale FL
Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range
Best months
January, March, April, May, 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 |
| 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
May, 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 |
| 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 | Fishable |
| Dec | 62–70°F | Outside |
Destin & Pensacola OffshoreDestin FL · Pensacola FL
Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range
Best months
April, May, October
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60–68°F | Outside |
| Feb | 60–66°F | Outside |
| Mar | 64–72°F | Outside |
| 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 | 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, October
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 62–70°F | Outside |
| Feb | 62–68°F | Outside |
| Mar | 66–72°F | Outside |
| 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 | Fishable |
| Dec | 64–72°F | Outside |
Louisiana Deepwater & RigsVenice LA · Grand Isle LA
Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range
Best months
April, May, October, November
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 64–72°F | Outside |
| Feb | 64–70°F | Outside |
| Mar | 68–74°F | Fishable |
| 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 | Fishable |
Texas Offshore & Flower Garden BanksGalveston TX · Freeport TX
Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range
Best months
April, May, September, October, November
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 64–72°F | Outside |
| Feb | 64–70°F | Outside |
| Mar | 68–74°F | Fishable |
| 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 | Fishable |
Conservation & regulations
NOAA / SAFMC / GMFMC
Stable. Federally managed in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Federal bag and size limits apply in EEZ; verify state-water rules separately.
Stock assessment source →Use SST imagery to find 75–80°F water adjacent to a temperature break of at least 2°F. Run weed lines and color changes. Look for birds working bait above the surface — mahi push bait up.
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 mahi-mahi thresholds, and alerts you when your home zone hits the 75–80°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.