Would you go for an afternoon jog in Death Valley? Not likely. How about sunbathing in the altogether at the North Pole? Doubtful.
Since we gauge our activities to take place within certain temperature ranges, is it not logical that fish would do the same?
Matter of fact, we can often target our favorite game fish by being aware of water temperatures.
For example, in fresh water, speckled perch (black crappie) are most active between water temps of 60 to 75 degrees, with 70 thought to be optimum.
Although bluegills can tolerate water temperatures that rise into the 90s, their favorite comfort zone is probably about 70, give or take some change.
If channel catfish are on an angler's agenda, the best prospects seem to be when the water thermometer registers between 80 and 90 degrees.
Largemouth bass, on the other hand, are most cooperative in water temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees. When it dips to below 50, they become extremely lethargic and, when it's really hot--like 85 to 100 degrees, anglers had better seek out shade or the deepest areas where the water may be cooler.
In brackish and salt water, the same situation occurs.
Here are the favored water temperature variances for different fish species:
Amberjack: 60 to 72 degrees.
Barracuda: 60 to 85 degrees.
Bigeye Tuna: 62 to 68 degrees.
Blackfin Tuna: 50 to 80 degrees.
Bluefish: 50 to 85 degrees, with 70 degrees being optimum.
Blue Marlin: 70 to 90 degrees.
Bonefish: an angler is likely to encounter these "ghosts of the flats" within a wide range of water temperatures--60 to 95 degrees.
Dolphin: 70 to 85 degrees.
Jack Crevalle: particularly active between 70 and 90 degrees.
King Mackerel: look for them in force when water temperatures range from 67 to 75 degrees.
Permit: another gamester with a wide tolerance between 65 and 95 degrees.
Pompano: favorite water temperatures seem to be between 72 and 80 degrees.
Red Snapper: 50 to 65 degrees.
Sailfish: likely to be most active between 70 and 85 degrees.
Snook: When water temps dip below 55 degrees, look for a snook die-off. They seem to prefer a range between 60 and 90 degrees, with the mid-70s being most comfortable.
Spotted Seatrout: the reason trout are considered year-round fish in Florida is because they can be found in water temperatures ranging anywhere from 45 to 85 degrees.
Tarpon: this guy likes it hot--75 to 100 degrees.
White Marlin: apt to find them offshore between 65 and 85 degrees.
Yellowfin Tuna: 60- to 80-degree water temperature affords top angler prospects.
Copyright (c) 1996 Herb Allen. All rights reserved.
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