Through years of keeping logs and more years of fishing experience, I have been able to put down preferred water temperature ranges for local saltwater fishes.

While the list is certainly not complete, it does contain the fishes about which I am most knowledgeable. Hopefully it will serve as a guide for you in the pursuit of the many varieties of saltwater fish that reside on the Southeastern coast of North Carolina.

Species

Low Range

Best Range

High Range

False Albacore

50-54

55-65

66-70

Amberjack

65-68

70-80

80-82

Atlantic Bonito

55-58

59-65

66-72

Barracuda

65-70

71-80

80-85

Blackfin Tuna

64-66

70-75

80-82

Bluefin Tuna

47-49

50-60

61-70

Bluefish

54-58

59-70

71-80

Cobia

65-68

69-79

80-83

Dolphin

69-70

71-80

81-83

Flounder

60-65

66-78

79-85

King Mackerel

65-67

68-78

79-85

Red Drum

48-52

65-85

86-90

Sailfish

68-70

70-82

83-88

Spanish Mackerel

63-67

68-80

81-85

Seatrout

48-50

54-64

65-80

Striped Bass

46-49

50-64

65-75

Tarpon

67-69

70-90

91-95

Tautog

45-49

50-60

61-66

Wahoo

65-67

72-76

78-82

Weakfish

45-49

55-70

70-78

Yellowfin Tuna

64-65

66-78

79-80