Sea surface temperature guide
Wahoo sea surface temperature guide.
Acanthocybium solandriPelagicAgency-reported threshold data
Wahoo are temperature-break specialists — they hunt where two water masses meet. They tolerate a wider SST range than mahi but key on the edge itself, not just the absolute temperature.
SST threshold gauge
The water temperature ranges that determine where wahoo hold and feed. Hard thresholds (dashed lines) are values outside which fish actively depart or become inactive.
Outside toleranceSuboptimalGoodPeak·Dashed line = hard threshold
Optimal range75–82°F
Preferred range70–86°F
Avoid below65°F
Avoid above—
Depth profile & SST reliability
Typical depth
30–600 feet
SST as locator
Moderate — SST is a partial signal
Wahoo feed throughout the water column and frequently suspend deep in the warm side of the thermocline. Surface SST is a partial signal — also study sub-surface temperature charts when available.
Current systems & structure
Gulf StreamWarm core eddiesTemperature breaks
Wahoo hunt aggressively at temperature breaks where bait concentrates. They're less tied to weed lines than mahi but follow the same warm-water edges.
Best zones for wahoo — May
Zones where typical May SST falls in wahoo'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 wahoo 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
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 | Fishable |
| 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 | Fishable |
| 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 | Fishable |
| 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 | 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
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 | 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
May, June, July, August, 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 | Peak |
| Aug | 80–86°F | Peak |
| 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, July, August, September, October
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 62–70°F | Outside |
| Feb | 60–68°F | Outside |
| Mar | 64–72°F | Fishable |
| Apr | 70–76°F | Fishable |
| Maynow | 74–80°F | Peak |
| Jun | 78–84°F | Peak |
| Jul | 80–86°F | Peak |
| Aug | 80–86°F | Peak |
| Sep | 78–84°F | Peak |
| Oct | 74–80°F | Peak |
| Nov | 68–76°F | Fishable |
| Dec | 64–72°F | Fishable |
Northeast Florida Offshore & St. AugustineMayport FL · St. Augustine FL
Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range
Best months
April, May, June, September, October
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 64–72°F | Fishable |
| Feb | 64–70°F | Outside |
| Mar | 66–74°F | Fishable |
| Apr | 72–78°F | Peak |
| Maynow | 76–82°F | Peak |
| Jun | 80–84°F | Peak |
| Jul | 82–86°F | Fishable |
| Aug | 82–86°F | Fishable |
| Sep | 80–84°F | Peak |
| Oct | 76–82°F | Peak |
| Nov | 70–76°F | Fishable |
| 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, March, April, May, June, September, 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 | Peak |
| Jul | 82–86°F | Fishable |
| Aug | 82–86°F | Fishable |
| Sep | 80–84°F | Peak |
| 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, June, September, 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 | Peak |
| Jul | 82–86°F | Fishable |
| Aug | 82–86°F | Fishable |
| Sep | 80–84°F | Peak |
| 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, June, September, October
| 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 | Peak |
| Jul | 82–86°F | Fishable |
| Aug | 82–86°F | Fishable |
| Sep | 80–84°F | Peak |
| 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, June, September, October
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 62–70°F | Outside |
| Feb | 62–68°F | Outside |
| Mar | 66–72°F | Fishable |
| Apr | 72–80°F | Peak |
| Maynow | 76–82°F | Peak |
| Jun | 80–84°F | Peak |
| Jul | 82–86°F | Fishable |
| Aug | 82–86°F | Fishable |
| Sep | 80–84°F | Peak |
| Oct | 74–80°F | Peak |
| Nov | 68–76°F | Fishable |
| Dec | 64–72°F | Fishable |
Louisiana Deepwater & RigsVenice LA · Grand Isle LA
Peak overlapFishable (preferred range)Outside preferred range
Best months
April, May, June, September, October, November
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 64–72°F | Fishable |
| Feb | 64–70°F | Outside |
| Mar | 68–74°F | Fishable |
| Apr | 72–78°F | Peak |
| Maynow | 76–82°F | Peak |
| Jun | 80–84°F | Peak |
| Jul | 82–86°F | Fishable |
| Aug | 82–86°F | Fishable |
| Sep | 80–84°F | Peak |
| 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, June, July, August, September, October, November
| Month | Zone SST | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 64–72°F | Fishable |
| Feb | 64–70°F | Outside |
| Mar | 68–74°F | Fishable |
| Apr | 72–78°F | Peak |
| Maynow | 76–82°F | Peak |
| Jun | 80–84°F | Peak |
| Jul | 80–86°F | Peak |
| Aug | 80–86°F | Peak |
| 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. Bag limit two per angler in most South Atlantic waters; verify current rule.
Stock assessment source →Troll high-speed planers and Yo-Zuri Bonitas at 13–18 knots through the warm side of a temperature break. Best windows are sunrise and sunset on a moving tide. Wahoo congregate on full moons in some regions.
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 wahoo thresholds, and alerts you when your home zone hits the 75–82°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.