🌡️ Sea Surface Temperature Map — SoCal & Baja Fishing — click "Play" or scroll through each day

How to Use the SST Map for Fishing

Sea Surface Temperature (SST) is one of the most important factors in finding fish. This interactive map shows you the past 14 days ocean temperatures for Southern California and Baja California, updated daily with NOAA satellite data.

Finding Temperature Breaks

Temperature breaks (also called "edges" or "fronts") are areas where warm and cold water meet. These boundaries concentrate baitfish and attract gamefish. On the map, look for:

• Sharp color transitions - where colors change quickly indicates a temperature break
• Eddies and swirls - circular patterns that trap bait
• Offshore temperature lines - running parallel to the coast

Optimal Temperatures by Species

Species	Optimal Range (°F)	Notes
Yellowtail	64-70°F	Most active in mid-60s
Bluefin Tuna	60-68°F	Tolerates cooler water than other tuna
Yellowfin Tuna	68-76°F	Prefers warmer offshore water
Dorado (Mahi)	68-75°F	Follows warm currents
White Seabass	58-66°F	Prefers cooler, greener water
Halibut	55-65°F	Bottom temperature varies from surface

Using the Animation Feature

The 14-day animation shows how temperatures have changed recently. This helps you:

• Track warming trends - warming water often triggers feeding activity
• Follow current patterns - see how warm water pushes in from offshore
• Predict fish movement - fish follow their preferred temperatures

Data Source

SST data is sourced from NOAA's Multi-scale Ultra-high Resolution (MUR) SST analysis, which combines satellite observations from multiple sensors to create a daily composite at approximately 1km resolution.