How Water Temperature Affects Inshore Saltwater Fishing
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on

Want to know how water temperature affects inshore fishing?
Many people want to know what the exact temperature to look for, but they’re making a big mistake…
It’s not about exact temperatures, but about relative temperatures.
For example, if you live in Miami, 60 degrees in the winter is going to be cold.
But if you live in New York, 60 degrees in the winter is going to feel great.
And it’s the same with fish.
So instead of seeing that the water is a certain temperature, and deciding to fish or not to fish, you need to know what the water temperature has been like recently.
Plus, even if you think it’s too hot or too cold, there are always places where the water is more comfortable for fish, and where they’ll be feeding.
So in this video, you’ll learn:
- How to catch fish no matter what the temperature is
- How to find cooler water in the summer
- How to find warmer water in the winter
- And much more
Let’s dive in!
How Water Temperature Affects Fishing [VIDEO]
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Fish are very sensitive to water temperature and even a change in a degree or two can make a big difference.
In the summer, fish are looking for cooler water, so here’s where and when you can find them:
- Near passes and inlets (where incoming tides bring in cooler water from the gulf or ocean)
- On overcast days
- Early in the morning (when the water has cooled overnight)
- On shallow flats right after it rains
- Windblown shorelines
In the winter, fish are looking for warmer water, so here’s where and when you can find them:
- Wind protected areas
- Dark, shallow, muddy flats
- Areas with slight current
- Later in the day (when the sun has had a chance to warm the water)
Water cools and heats up at the surface first, so in times of extreme hot or cold temperatures, you can usually find fish in deeper water.
And finally, here’s a question we get a lot:
How cold does it have to be to be too cold to fish?
Since it’s all about relative temperature, I believe it’s never too cold to fish.
Sure, fish don’t like it when it an extreme cold front rolls in, but fish will always be hungry and you can usually find areas of relatively warmer water, like deep pockets and cuts.
Remember: the colder it is, the deeper you want to go.
Conclusion
Fish are very sensitive to water temperature and even a change in a few degrees can turn on or off the bite.
In the summer, look for areas of cooler water, and in the winter, look for areas of warmer water.
Have any questions about how water temperature affects fishing?
Let us know in the comments below.
And if you know someone who has a questions about water temperature and fishing, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
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Good info, Tony.
Thank you for the feedback Ray!
Good stuff!
Thanks David!
Thank you for writing this article! Salt Strong is my go to when I have trouble catching fish.
Appreciate you guys!
You’re welcome Steven! Thank you for the continued support!