SALTWATER FISH TEMPERATURES 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     Optimum        Upper
                           Avoidance                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
Yellowtail                     60	   65		70