The Best Water Temperature For Surf Fishing

Water temperature is a determining factor in surf fishing.

You can use all kinds of baits, you can buy the best and most sophisticated surf fishing equipment, and you can be the most experienced angler in the world. But if the water temperature you are fishing is not good for the fish, then you will most likely have very few bites.

I mean, while there’s no complete answer to the question “Why fish don’t bite?”, the water temp is often an important part of the answer.

The rule here is that if the water temperature is good, you still need other conditions to be met in order for the fish to strike. However, if the water temp is too high or too low, then you chances become extremely low.

So what is a good water temperature for surf fishing?

That’s what this article is all about.

In this article, we will discuss all the details about water temperature and why it is an important factor when surf fishing? At what water heat you should fish the surf? And what are the possible scenarios when the water is too cold or too hot?

So without further ado, let’s dive in.

Too Long; Didn’t Read.
The best water temperature for surf fishing is between 60 °F and 75 °F because most species in the surf zone are more comfortable within this range.

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Why water temperature is important for surf fishing ?

Fish can not adjust their body heat. As a result, their temperature is always the same as the surrounding environment.

This is a big problem when the water is too warm. Why? Because since fish can’t adjust their body warmth, the only way for them to remain cool and avoid the excess of heat is to escape elsewhere.

Therefore, if you are fishing a surf in which the water temperature is too high for the species you want to catch, your chances of getting a bite get really slim.

You simply won’t find your targeted fish as it will be in another area in search of cooler water. So your casts are unlikely to bring anything here.

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Also, when the water is too hot, it usually contains less dissolved oxygen, which is not good for the fish. Why? Because when there is a lack of oxygen in the water, searching for food and pursuing prey become energy-demanding tasks. As a result, most fish prefer to stay inactive and save their energy rather than losing it for unguaranteed food.

On the other hand, too cold waters disable fish digestion enzymes and keep food longer on their bodies. This decreases their appetite and feeding activity and makes them less willing to strike when they spot baits.

So as you can see neither too cold nor too hot water is good for surf fishing.

Fish only feel comfortable living and eating when the water temperature is within a specific range. As a result, your fishing productivity is highly dependent on the species you are targeting and whether the temperature of the water is suitable for them.

What is the best water temperature for surf fishing ?

As we said, the best water temperature for surf fishing depends on the fish target.

What works for one type of fish may not work for another. Therefore, you should always have a clear idea of what you are looking for and then check whether the water temperature is within the range that your target species tolerate.

This is the only way to maximize your chances of catching your beloved fish. Otherwise, you risk casting the line into a surf that is too chilly or too warm for the fish you want to catch.

The result of this is obvious: No bite, and no catch.

But what if I’m not targeting a specific type of fish? What if I’m surf fishing just for fun and will be happy with whatever I catch? Is there a temperature range that works fine for most fish species?

That’s what we will answer in the following lines.

First, we will discover the optimum temperature range for most fish species that can we can catch off the beach, then we will see if we can find a temperature range that many species share and find comfortable.

Note: All the numbers below result from an extensive research and the reading of many scientific studies on the feeding habits of saltwater fish and their best living conditions. I took most of the numbers and information from:

• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National
• The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commissions
• The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
• The University of Southern Mississipi

As you can see, each fish species prefers a different water temperature.

Bluefish, for example, are more comfortable between 66 °F and 73 °F, but you can also spot them in colder or warmer waters.

The striped bass is happy within the range of 55-65 °F but can also be found between 50 to 75 ° F.

This information is very useful because it will help you, before your next surf fishing trip, decide whether it is possible to catch a particular fish or not.

All you have to do is to check the water temperature in your area and compare it to the tolerance range of your favorite fish.

What is more interesting in the table above is that we can find common spots where the water temperature is good for many species.

Identifying these shared intervals will help you find the best water temperature for surf fishing, especially if you rarely target a specific type of fish and usually fish just for fun.

If we take a close look at the table above, we can see that most species feel comfortable when the water temperature ranges from 60°F to 75°F.

This range contains values shared by many species, making it the most overlapping interval.

Surf fishing in this interval can bring bites from a wide range of fish including bluefish, striped bass, pompano, redfish, seatrout, tarpon, snook, flounder, the red snapper, the sea bream, surfperch, and even sharks and albacore tuna.

All of these species are comfortable to hold and feed in the 60-75°F interval, making it the best spot for surf fishing.

The range between 51°F and 85°F can also be rewarding. However, It’s good to remember that as the water temperature moves away from the interval 60-75°F, most fish become lethargic and sluggish, which can significantly reduce your productivity and hookup rate.

Only species like blackfish (tautog), tuna, and weakfish feel comfortable in 50-55°F waters. On the other hand, tarpon, redfish, pompano, and snook are among the rare species that thrive in temperatures greater than 80°F.

It is worth mentioning here that sea bream and surfperch are the least heat sensitive and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, which makes them a possible catch all year round.

What are the possible catches when the water is too cold?

When the water is too cold (below 60°F), many fish species become inactive because their metabolism slows down and their digestive enzymes stop treating food as efficiently as when the water is warmer.

As a result, you will get fewer bites when the water is cold because most fish eat less when the food takes longer to digest.

However, surfcasting can still be rewarding in cold waters, especially when some species are within the casting range.

Fish like blackfish, mackerel, striped bass, and the red snapper are happy to hold in less than 60°F, and as a result, if these species are in your area, casting some bait in cold waters won’t be a bad idea.

What are the possible catches when the water is too warm?

On the other hand, too warm waters (more than 75°F) forces fish to escape offshore or go deeper into the surf so they can remain cool and avoid the heat excess.

As a result, surf fishing in too warm waters can result in a reduced catches count because most fish will not be there to strike your bait.

However, there are species that prefer temperatures above 75°F and you may be lucky to hook some if they are in your fishing area.

Snook, tarpon, pompano, seatrout, weakfish, and redfish are all conditioned to live and feed in waters warmer than 75°F. They will therefore be ready to hit your bait if they spot it.

Last Word

The best water temperature for surf fishing depends on the fish you want to catch. However, after analyzing the feeding activity of most fish species that you can catch from the surf, we can comfortably say that the 60-75°F interval is the best interval for surf fishing.

Most fish are comfortable to live and feed within this range, which makes it the best time to cast some bait.

With that in mind, your success as a surf angler does not rely solely on the temperature of the water. Many factors can prevent fish from striking your bait, even if the water temp is perfect.

As we said before, when the temperature is good, it is necessary that the tide, the time, the tackle, the swell, the current and all the other factors are good in order for the fish to bite. But when the water temp is bad, even if these other factors are perfect, your chances of catching something become slim.

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