Water temperature plays such an important part in fishing that
every angler needs to pay attention and react to even subtle
variances. Fish are no different than a lot of animals when it
comes to heat and cold. They want to stay comfortable.
Consequently, even a small change or break will cause fish to
move from one location to another. Fishing offshore presents
particular problems. Temperatures can and do change from the
surface to the bottom. I have fished in water that was 80°F on
the surface and below 60°F on the bottom. What appeared to be
ideal water was virtually void of fish at least those that were
in a feeding mood. Be aware of temperatures at varying depths
and be prepared to react. With surface temperatures, fish will
often move along temperature breaks where warm and cold water
meet. These breaks draw baitfish and feeding fish are close
behind. Inshore waters are not as susceptible to temperature
breaks, but they do exhibit changes according to the weather.
Summer water temperatures as high as 90