Saltwater Fish Temperature Preferences

Temperature preferences are only a rough guide, and Farhenheit at that. But they will let you avoid areas where fish are most unlikely to be found. Expect a variation a few degrees one way or the other. On windy days, for example, oxygenated surface areas may attract species to areas above their optimum. Such is also the case when baitfish are in warmer water.

Species	Lower Avoidance	Optimum	Upper Avoidance
Albacore	59	63	66
Amerjack	60	65	72
Atlantic Bonito	60	64	79
Atlantic Cod	31	47	58
Atlantic Croaker	45	63	70
Atlantic Mackerel	45	64	70
Baracuda	55	78	82
Bigeye Tuna	52	58	66
Blackfin Tuna	50	74	81
Black Marlin	68	78	86
Bluefin Tuna	50	68	78
Bluefish	50	68	76
Blue Marlin	70	78	85
Bonefish	64	75	85
Dolphinfish	70	75	82
Fluke	55	65	72
Haddock	37	48	52
Jack Crevelle	70	75-85	90
Kelp Bass	62	65	70
King Mackerel	70	78	88
Permit	65	72	90
Pollock	33	45	60
Pompano	68	77	88
Red Drum	52	72	90
Red Snapper	50	57	62
Sailfish	68	80	88
Sand Seatrout	90	95	100
Sea Catfish	50	62	70
Skipjack Tuna	50	62	70
Snook	60	72	90
Striped Bass	61	68	78
Striped Marlin	61	70	80
Swordfish	50	66	78
Tarpon	74	85	104
Weakfish	48	60	80
White Seabass	58	68	74
Winter Flounder	36	50	64
Yellowfin Tuna	64	72	87